Chairman dismisses club sale reports

Bob Murray has moved to scotch reports that he is willing to sell the club, as widely reported in the weekend media.

Murray is reported to have said, "If someone came in with serious money, we would sell the club. We would love a mega-investor to come in because everything is here. A buyer can walk in and own a big club with great supporters, a fabulous stadium and a great academy.

But the Chairman told Sunderland's official website today, "If in the future someone wants to come in for the right reasons, with significant funds to invest in the team only, then I would do what was in the best interests of Sunderland: that is my duty.

"I would like to stress that the club has not been approached by an outside party and is not expecting to be."

"It would be easy to walk away when things are tough, but I will not do that.

"I'm determined to try to get the club back into the Premiership. That's all I am focusing on and I feel I owe it to the fans."