FORMER Sunderland Football Club chairman Sir Bob Murray will be returning to his home town to be a guest speaker at a college's annual awards ceremony – and will personally sponsor four new special achievement awards for students.

Sir Bob, a successful businessman, philanthropist and leading advocate of the power of education to change young people’s lives, will be at Derwentside College’s annual awards ceremony, in Consett, on November 21.

He said: “Derwentside College has an excellent track record and enviable reputation in vocational training and education and plays an important role in shaping the future destinies of young people.

“I left school at 16 with just one O Level and the baby boom in the immediate aftermath of the war meant that there were twice as many people looking for work in 1961 and no prospect of me joining the steelworks where my father had worked.

“They were difficult times and being out of work had a profound and lasting impact on my life.

“Initially I had nowhere to turn and was unemployed for a year. That experience changed my outlook on life forever and gave me the drive and ambition to change my life.”

He added: “It took me 10 years of studying part time to further my education and get qualified but the most important step I took was enrolling at Derwentside College in 1963.”

“I’m delighted to be sponsoring four new special achievement awards from this year, as I also want to recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of some of the most dedicated and hard-working students from the College.”

Albert Croney, principal and chief executive of Derwentside College, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sir Bob Murray as our guest of honour for this year’s award ceremony.

"As a former student, Bob has shown the extent of what hard work and dedication can achieve.”