Now worth an estimated £34 million, Sir Bob Murray left school at the age of 15 and built a number of multi-million pound businesses before joining Sunderland AFC as a director in 1984.
He went on to become the club’s longest-serving chairman in a period that saw them move into the state-of-the-art Stadium of Light, as well as establishing themselves as a Premier League club.
In 2006 he sold his shares in Sunderland AFC to Niall Quinn, but remains a significant part of the club as honorary life president.
The father of three has also played a significant charitable role and is founder of the Sunderland AFC Foundation, considered one of the most influential football charities in Britain, working with around 200,000 youngsters.
The St Brelade resident is now project director for the FA’s National Football Centre planned for Burton-upon-Trent.
He first visited Jersey in 1973 with his wife Sue and their love of the Island convinced them to marry here before moving to St Brelade in 2003. Commenting on his knighthood, Sir Bob said: ‘I feel incredibly proud and am overwhelmed to receive such an enormous honour.
‘I see this award as being not just for me personally, but for my family, friends and many business colleagues I have worked with and who have supported me and helped me achieve my ambitions in life.
‘My parents worked extremely hard throughout their lives and did not get the opportunities that many people enjoy today, but they provided me with the values and beliefs that have given me the confidence and drive to succeed.
‘They would have been very moved and proud to see me be recognised in this way.
‘I would also like to thank my wife Sue, who is a huge source of strength and support in my life and I am sharing this wonderful honour with her and our three children.’
