Sunderland chairman would sell to ‘the right person’
The Black Cats have amassed just 10 points in a dismal Barclays Premiership campaign, and supporters vented their feelings at Murray long after the final whistle of the home defeat by Wigan two weeks ago.
Further demonstrations are planned for the visit of Blackburn tomorrow - but the chairman says he will walk away if the price is right and has hit back at claims he does not care about the club.
In a statement Murray said: “I am hurt that anyone suggests I am greedy.
“I was born from a Sunderland mining family and bought my local club.
“At the time it was a signature away from bankruptcy, on the way to the third division, with very poor attendances in the region of 12-14,000, ripped apart by conflict in the management and the boardroom and involved in numerous legal actions.
“I never planned to be in the job after 20 years but in all that time I have never felt there were a large number of investors out there.
“The arrival of foreign money in football has scared off many wealthy locals and the fans’ thirst for success to many seems unquenchable.
“I have already said that I’m prepared to walk away for the right person - the door is open.
“The price achieved for my stake in Sunderland FC is secondary to the offer of investment into the team.
“I am the majority shareholder and if I just walk away now without any alternative that will not help the stability of the club or solve any problems.”
Murray has revealed the conditions he and any potential investor would have to meet for a takeover at the Stadium of Light.
The statement added: “If we receive an offer from a serious investor I would receive the same price for my shares as the other 4,000-5,000 Sunderland shareholders.
“Also the club’s two banks will have to approve any acquisition and they are hardly likely to approve a sale to an individual or organisation which cannot fund Premier League status.”
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