Sir Bob Murray to be inducted into Sunderland AFC Hall of Fame on Saturday | OneFootball

Sir Bob Murray will be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame at half-time when Brighton & Hove Albion visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday, 14 March. The ceremony forms part of Sunderland’s dedicated Foundation of Light Matchday.

According to Sunderland Echo, the accolade, typically reserved for former players, recognises his service to Sunderland AFC and his wider impact across North East communities.

Murray, the club’s longest-serving chairman, joined the board in 1984 and led Sunderland from 1986 to 2006, overseeing a transformative era on and off the pitch.

He drove the creation of the Stadium of Light, turning the former Wearmouth Colliery site into the team’s modern home after the club outgrew Roker Park.

He also prioritised long-term investment through the Academy of Light and later the Beacon of Light, now the base for Foundation work that supports thousands across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham each year.

The Foundation of Light, founded in 2001, uses football to inspire, educate and support people through programmes in education, employability, health and wellbeing.

Murray described the honour as deeply humbling, saying Sunderland AFC has been part of his life for as long as he can recall and that the club means everything to the city and its supporters.

He added that decisions such as building the Stadium of Light and developing the Academy of Light were driven by an ambition to help the club reach its potential and secure its future, aiming to create something the community could be proud of for generations. Marking the award on a day celebrating the Foundation makes it even more special, and he takes great pride in its regional impact.

On the day, the Beacon of Light Fan Zone will host family activities, sports sessions and fundraising opportunities.

Source: Sunderland Echo