Sir Bob Murray is best known as the former Chairman of Sunderland AFC and the visionary behind the Stadium, Academy and Beacon of Light.
But away from the Sunderland boardroom he occupied for over 20 years Sir Bob has built successful businesses, established the Foundation of Light to support his beloved home region and led a life so interesting that he’d do it all again.
This is his story – from the terraced and dust-choked streets of 1950’s Consett where he left school with just one 'o' level, took his first steps on the career ladder and then risked it all to start his own kitchen and bathroom business, through to boardroom battles at Roker Park and on to the building of the Stadium of Light, Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park.
He recounts interactions with a wide cast of characters ranging from Len Shackleton, Brian Clough, Lawrie McMenemy, Peter Reid, Niall Quinn and even a former Prime Minister for whom he had to act a human shield!
It is a tale of a remarkable rise from a down-at-heel steel town. Of setbacks and challenges on and off pitch and triumphs in boardrooms and stadiums around the country at a time when football was undergoing a revolution.
His ambition, drive, and passion for the North East and his boyhood football club is evident throughout this book and his story is one that will inspire and entertain readers, whether they support Sunderland or not.
Proceeds from all book sales will go to Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity, supporting their ‘Heart on Your Sleeve’ campaign, which aims to bring supporters together to live happier and healthier lives.
North East football fans are notorious for their passion and the Foundation channels that energy to help make a difference to lives across Wearside.
Recent studies have shown that health inequalities in the UK are getting worse, with the gap between the North East and the South of England worsening. People in communities across our region are living shorter lives; spending most of them in poor health.
Foundation of Light works with up to 20,000 young people and families every year and aim to tackle these issues, encouraging parents and grandparents to stay both physically and mentally active to inspire the next generation to do the same.
Through various initiatives and programmes and links with Sunderland AFC, the Foundation gives families the opportunity to access sports and fitness sessions, mental health resources and experience the facilities at the Beacon of Light community hub.
Lance Hardy started writing ‘I’d Do It All Again’ with Sir Bob in 2019. It was completed with the help of his editor and friend Ian Preece after his untimely death in August 2021.
‘I’d Do It All Again’, will be sold exclusively online at www.sirbobmurraybook.com and available to buy in-person from 12 October at the Beacon of Light and SAFC stores. 100% of proceeds from sales of the autobiography will go to the Foundation of Light.
A group of students from the Foundation of Light’s scholarship and study programmes were given a unique opportunity to visit Japan thanks to funding from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
Foundation of Light PFA Player Ambassador, Aji Alese, and teammate Jenson Seelt marked EFL Week of Action with a visit to the Beacon of Light.
Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity, is thrilled to announce defender Aji Alese as official PFA Player Ambassador.