IN happier times, when the biggest worry at Sunderland was fitting all their fans into the Stadium of Light rather than how to fill the 13,000 empty seats for Premiership games, Bob Murray made a grand promise.

"If Peter Reid ever left this club," Murray insisted, "he'd have to take me with him."

The bold proclamation, issued in May 2001 on the day that Reid signed a new four-year contract, underlined the close bond that had been forged between manager and chairman in their six years together.

At the same time, just 35 miles away, Middlesbrough's Steve Gibson was agonising over the heartrending decision to sack Bryan Robson.

Gibson and Robson's relationship was so strong that they made Murray and Reid appear little more than acquaintances.

Yet, Gibson knew he had no choice. He had to wield the axe, no matter how much it hurt him to do so.

And now, less than 18 months later, the consequences of the Boro chairman's decision must surely lighten Murray's dark, brooding mood.

As Sunderland flounder in the lower reaches of the Premiership, Middlesbrough have never had it so good.

In Steve McClaren, Gibson appointed a young, vibrant manager who has masterminded a remarkable transformation in his club's fortunes.

Forget the cup finals, the goals of Ravanelli and the two promotions under Robson - Boro's future is brighter than at any time since the former England captain walked into Ayresome Park in 1994.

Sunderland's blueprint for success, with Reid achieving much with limited outlay and a magnificent stadium built for no more than £20m, has been admired across the land.

Now, if Murray wishes to pick up an idea or two as he decides his next move, he could do much worse than look down the A19 and to Teesside.

It is remarkable to think that the Sunderland chairman and now erstwhile manager were so buoyant only 17 months ago.

Yet Murray's time at Sunderland has rarely been humdrum. A quiet, shy man, he shuns publicity - but his name has seldom been far from the spotlight.

Born in Consett, Murray was an office boy at the town's iron works when he was 16.

Seven years later, he was a qualified accountant, and he went on to earn his fortune by setting up Springram - a company that sold kitchen and bathroom fittings.

Such was Murray's business acumen that in the Thatcherite 1980s, his firm had the fastest growth rate of any in Britain.

His millions made, he became the majority shareholder in Sunderland - the club he watched from the Fulwell End as a young boy - and progressed to chairman at Roker Park in 1989.

It was an unhappy era in the club's history, punctuated only by the promotion in 1990 by default - Swindon Town, who beat Sunderland in the play-off final, were prevented from taking their place in the old First Division due to financial irregularities.

After four years, during which time he ended up in the High Court after a row over the club's shares and lost a libel case he brought against a former Sunderland director, Murray stepped down.

Such was his disillusionment that he offered to sell his shares in the club for just £2m. No acceptable offer was forthcoming.

Then, in 1996, his replacement John Featherstone left, and Murray returned to the helm.

He had remained an important figure behind the scenes during his three-year sabbatical, but now he and Reid were united as chairman and manager.

The pair celebrated and commiserated together, and Murray could hardly have spoken of Reid in more revered tones.

"Peter's a Brian Clough for the Millennium," he once said. "Peter's not just the manager. He's the chief executive, the chairman - whatever title you want to give him."

Now, with the new Millennium scarcely out of nappies, the only title the "new" Brian Clough can lay claim to is "out-of-work football manager".

As Wearside has reacted to Reid's sacking, Murray's pledge to follow his friend out of the Stadium of Light door has been forgotten.

And rightly so. Reid's departure will cause enough upheaval without Murray plunging the club into further turmoil.

It is a time for clear heads at Sunderland. Gibson did not panic when he replaced Robson.

All Black Cats fans can hope is that their chairman follows suit - and that as well as marking the end of an era, Reid's demise will trigger a fresh start and more fruitful future.

* Steve McClaren last night sent his sympathy to Peter Reid - whose Sunderland team lost 3-0 to Middlesbrough in the final weeks of his Stadium of Light reign.

McClaren said: "Peter's one of football's nice guys and I think it's important to remember the great job he did at Sunderland.

"Knowing his character, I'm sure he'll bounce back and return to management in the near future. I certainly wish him all the best."

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