WOULD the Prime Minister miss the Queen's Speech? Would Richard Branson fail to press the flesh at the launch of a new Virgin product?

Of course not.

So draw your own conclusions, please, from Bob Murray's absence from yesterday's unveiling of Mick McCarthy as Sunderland's new manager.

It was Sunderland's biggest day of the season and the chairman wasn't there.

Murray was feeling under the weather, his deputy John Fickling claimed as he opened proceedings by explaining away his colleague's no-show.

"I have to tender Bob's apologies," the vice-chairman said. "He's not too well. He would want to be here, but he can't be."

It emerged later, however, that Murray had not been struck down by a touch of flu or suchlike.

Fickling was asked if the traumatic events of the last few months had taken "quite a severe toll" on Murray's health. The answer was in the affirmative.

"I think it has," Fickling said. "Sadly, he's not too clever at the moment. But I don't want to say any more than that."

Fickling has always been the more confident public speaker of the two; Murray is a reserved, even shy figure when talking to the press.

Even at the high-water mark of Peter Reid's reign, Murray was one of the Premiership's least vocal chairman.

Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, of course. Why should Murray court the media if he feels even slightly uncomfortable doing so?

Pete Publicity - or Peter Ridsdale, as the Leeds United supremo is better known - probably wishes now that he had not been so loquacious when the club were sweeping all before them in Europe just two years ago.

But while lifelong Sunderland fan Murray has no doubt been hurt like any supporter by the club's decline, it is his failure to back up his words with deeds that has undermined his authority.

Remember Murray promising during the halcyon days under Reid that, if his then manager left the Stadium of Light, he would follow him out of the door?

That pledge was broken last October, and one can sympathise with the Stadium of Light chairman after he had agonised long and hard over the sacking of his friend.

But the unqualified support Murray gave to Howard Wilkinson and Steve Cotterill less than six weeks ago is infinitely more difficult to excuse.

Yes, Sunderland's plight is significantly worse now than on January 31, when Murray insisted Wilkinson would be the Black Cats' manager next season.

Certainly, after leaving Reid in charge for too long, it is to the chairman's credit that he did not allow the situation to deteriorate further under Wilkinson.

But after calling an impromptu press conference to reiterate his unflinching belief in the so-called Odd Couple, why dismiss them both just six games later?

Sunderland are a plc, and the City frowns on uncertainty at listed companies.

And what could be more confusing and inconsistent than a senior figure like Murray saying his manager's job was safe, only to sack him a few weeks after that pronouncement?

Murray's long association with Sunderland means he is no stranger to the slings and arrows of outrageous footballing fortune.

But the last 12 months must rank among the lowest periods of his time on the club's board, at Roker Park and then the Stadium of Light.

So, what now for Murray? It may be too early to write off his Wearside future, but his behaviour has angered an increasing number of fans.

Eddie Calland, branch official of Sunderland's Chester-le-Street supporters' club, believes time should be called on his association with the Black Cats.

He said: "We've been through countless relegations and managers while Bob Murray has been in charge.

"He deserves credit for the Stadium of Light and for appointing Peter Reid, but his management skills are poor.

"The timing of Reid's sacking, just after he'd given him £20m to spend on new players, was bad.

"He's a genuine fan, and he's put his heart and soul into the club, but he hasn't helped himself recently."

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