mackems finally agree price For there club ! BOB Murray will agree a reduced price of £10m for Sunderland Football Club. The Chairman will say yes to a bid of £10m from Niall Quinn's Irish consortium, of which Murray will personally receive £5.7m. This figure is considerably less than the inflated £80m mentioned in some reports, and also less than the £16m figure apparently agreed with Quinn's consortium in March. There have been reports that the time taken over completing the proposed takeover was down to haggling over the price Quinn will pay for the club. Murray's acceptance of £10m seems to prove this hasn't been the case. However, it is not believed that the takeover is imminent – a completed deal may not be on the table until just after the June 30 deadline for exclusivity. Quinn told the Echo this morning that he welcomed the news. "I note Bob's position but the final terms of any deal still need to be legally completed." Quinn is bound by Stock Exchange rules about what he can say, but sources close to him this morning said he was delighted a price will be agreed and looked forward to completing a deal as soon as possible. Murray's move shows his determination to strike a deal with Quinn for the club. Speaking to the Echo this morning, Murray said that contrary to some reports, price was never really a stumbling block. "There was lots of criteria, but not about price. During the process I've never stalled or haggled about money as some of the media have tried to suggest. "I have never changed my position. The suggestion is quite hurtful, as the truth is actually the opposite. I've always put the club first. "I will agree to this low price simply because of the very deep feeling and love I have for the club and the people. The less paid out to shareholders the more there will be available for players. "I'm working 100 per cent to get this done, but it will still take several days to complete. However, there will be no need for an interim chairman." Murray leaves this post on Friday, and was clearing out his desk today. He had warm words for Quinn and his consortium. "I think this will be a good marriage. There is a lot of synergy. Niall knows the club well and I've been impressed by his plans for the club. There has always been a closeness between the Irish and the North East and this is something that can be built on. "After 22 years it has been a huge decision and a major responsibility for me to pass on the controlling interest of the club. "It's never been done before as control has always evolved rather than being planned – that's why I've done all I can to help Niall. "I first met with Niall last year and later suggested to him that he own the club and we met several times this year to try and make that idea come true. "I've encouraged him throughout his bid and supported him to make it possible. I don't think I could have done anything more. "We announced in March that we were in discussions and agreed a price. "Since then we have extended our exclusivity agreement with Niall several times, to demonstrate how much we wanted to make the deal happen. "It has been difficult for him, as he has been trying to attract a name before he owned the club. As part of the process it was important for me to meet everyone who will be in the consortium. "This was difficult at times as the consortium was still evolving but I couldn't pass control of the club on to just anyone – I felt it was my responsibility to be sure we knew who would own the club, to meet them all and understand their intentions for the future. "Having met all the members of the consortium I feel confident they will give Niall their full backing and want what is best for the Club and are ready to invest what is needed to make the club a success on the pitch." Murray then spoke about his history at the club, in particular the Peter Reid era. "I was desperate to leave when Peter left. The price I paid for Peter Reid was very high. I had to deal with the aftermath, and it was the lowest point for me. It was a major talking point with family and friends that I was putting the club first." Murray went on to describe what the club still means to him: "What ever else happens this week and in the take over process I will be stepping down as chairman on Friday and leaving the club with wonderful memories. "The club has an excellent reputation in the industry and I will miss all the fantastic people I have worked with at Sunderland, as well as the many relationships with people I value in the football industry. "I do plan to stay involved in the City through my involvement with the Academy in Pennywell and will also be on hand to help with the SAFC Foundation and the casino project at Niall's request. "I fully intend to attend some matches and look forward to watching as a supporter again – and let someone else worry about the results for once."
