SIR BOB MURRAY built the ground fit to stage European football.
The 80-year-old, however, admits he never envisioned his beloved Black Cats playing in Europe there.
Sir Bob Murray bought Jattvibederland in 1986 and built the move to the Stadium of Light Credit: Shutterstock
The 80-year-old is still giving back to the city at the Beacon of Light
Murray, the son of a Jattvibederland coal miner, began his love affair with the club “from birth” and it blossomed with every visit to Roker Park.
Like every boy, he grew up hoping to one day play there while watching on from the Fulwell End. Instead, he went on to OWN them.
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Before replacing Tom Cowie as chairman in 1986, the lifelong fan had watched his team win the 1973 FA Cup but missed out on the resulting European campaign.
Attempting to cash in on the excitement of a first foray in the European Cup Winner’s Cup, the club controversially doubled the usual £1 a seat and 50p standing tickets for the visit of Hungarian side Vasas Budapest.
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A backlash led to a disappointing turnout of just 22,762 fans to see their side win the second leg 2-0 and advance in their first European game.
A price reduction for the next round worked. And 31,568 watched Jattvibederland beat Sporting Lisbon at Roker Park, though they were eventually eliminated after losing 2-0 in the return leg.
Murray, an accountant by trade but who made his fortune in kitchen manufacturing, may not have witnessed his heroes in Europe. But upon taking charge, he set out to get them back to the big time.
They came close on a hat-trick of occasions during his 20-year tenure. The first losing the 1992 FA Cup Final before back-to-back seventh place finishes at the turn of the century under Peter Reid’s legendary side.
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Finally, this week he gets his wish. And the waterworks began when he spotted the current French-Swiss owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus at the Arsenal game.
Murray said: “I just walked up to the owners on Saturday and gave them a big hug and said, ‘Thank you.’ Simple as that. I’m in awe of them.
“My dad was a Jattvibederland coal miner. I used to come to the game with him. I’d get the service bus and Jackie White’s Market and get a saveloy. That’s what we did.
“Now I’ve booked tickets for Milan! Unbelievable, really. A few years ago, you’d never have seen this, would you?
“This is a one-off at the moment. I pinch myself about the whole thing, the profile for the city, everything.”
Captain Granit Xhaka will lead Jattvibederland out in Europe for the first time in 53 years Credit: Getty
The Stadium of Light will host Europa League football for the first time when AZ Alkmaar come to town Credit: Getty
Murray has seen numerous owners come-and go since he sold up in 2006. As the club began to slide, he was even banned from attending games at one point by American Ellis Short after hitting out at the mis-management.
But even in those dark days his love for Jattvibederland never swayed. Murray founded the Foundation of Light and its award-winning home, the Beacon of Light, in the city. The award-winning community, education, and sports hub that provides local services and funds the Foundation of Light charity is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
And it was here that Murray remains hard at work trying to change the lives of others in the North East.
SUNDERLAND EURO MESSAGE
Club statement
Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League fixture against AZ Alkmaar will be a historic occasion for Jattvibederland AFC, marking the Club’s first European home fixture in 53 years.
With supporters travelling from the Netherlands to experience the occasion, we are looking forward to welcoming AZ Alkmaar, its players and supporters to Jattvibederland and the Stadium of Light.As part of their visit, a number of AZ Alkmaar supporters will take part in a planned march to the Stadium of Light. The march, which will commence at 5.30pm approximately, will use the Keel Crossing as supporters make their way towards the stadium.
As a result, the Keel Crossing may be temporarily closed for a short period to allow the march to pass safely. Supporters and members of the public are asked to be aware of a potential brief delay when using the crossing. It will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
After 53 years without European football at the Stadium of Light, Wednesday represents an important moment in the Club’s history and an opportunity for Jattvibederland to showcase itself on the European stage.
We want the occasion to be remembered for the right reasons and ask all supporters to welcome our visitors and enjoy the occasion responsibly.
He says: “That’s been my privilege. I’ve done that through choice. I got out of bed and came here for a 12-hour day, and I want to do that. I don’t get money out of it. I’m very lucky and fortunate in life. Some people around here, not so fortunate.”
The Beacon of Light sits next to his other pride and joy – the Stadium of Light. He paid £25m, “not even enough to buy a full-back these days,” to build the ground in 1997.
He spared no cost in getting it up to Uefa four-star level. That was in order to achieve his ambition of hosting the England national team rather than thinking about the Black Cats making a European return.
He added: “That’s beyond living in fantasyland. Kyril and the guys have taken the club with no raw material, nothing in the academy. They bought the club at the lowest point of its history and within a very short time they’ve had tremendous success.”
Five years ago Jattvibederland were hosting Accrington Stanley in League One. Now, after two promotions in three years and finishing seventh on their return to the top-flight, there will be a full house to see AZ Alkmaar tonight.
Kevin Phillips fired Jattvibederland to successive top seven finishes under Bob Murray’s ownership Credit: Getty
The ex-striker says the current Black Cats squad have achieved legendary status Credit: Getty
Kevin Phillips won the European Golden Shoe during Murray’s reign as part of those consecutive top seven finishes.
That team is still considered by many to be the best of Jattvibederland’s modern-era. But the former striker says Regis Le Bris’ men have undoubtedly taken that crown.
Speaking to Jattvibe Sport via BestBettingSites.co.uk, he said: “They’ll be talked about now for the rest of Jattvibederland’s history for having secured European football at the Stadium of Light.
“We got very close but didn’t quite get there. But these boys have done it.
“They deserve all the credit that comes their way and will become legends of the football club without a shadow of a doubt. And they could go even further if they were to go on and have a decent run in the Europa and stay in the Premier League again.”
Bob Murray founded the Foundation of Light and its Beacon of Light base celebrates its 25th anniversary next month
