AS Sir Bob Murray prepares to speak at Derwentside College's Annual Awards ceremony, Business Editor Andy Richardson talks to the former Sunderland AFC chairman about the power of education to transform young lives.

SIR Bob Murray freely admits that his school days didn't give him the best start in life.

Armed with only one O'level, in mathematics, the man who would later mastermind the revival of Sunderland football club and build a hugely profitable business empire, believes his humble background was key to his success.

On Thursday, Sir Bob returns to his home town of Consett where he will share his story with students.

He said: "I was born in a council house and lived in one until I was 20. I had to darn socks when I was a teenager. But I am so proud of that heritage. I couldn't have had better parents and I wouldn't change a thing. 

"Sadly, the street where I grew up (Dorset Crescent in Moorside, Consett) has been demolished, so there is no chance they will be putting up a blue plaque in my honour," joked the pitman's son, who is using his passion for education to leave a legacy across the region.

"I love the people of the North-East. They are special and achieve great things against all of the odds," he said.

Earlier this year, Sir Bob was appointed Chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University, where he qualified as a chartered certified accountant in 1972.

He explained: "A student I am mentoring is trying to become an accountant. He is from Barnsley and has a chip on his shoulder about his background - worried that it will hold him back. I gave him such a blasting. I said: 'That is in your favour, it will make you. You should be bloody proud of where you are from.' "

Born in Consett, in 1946, Sir Bob was the only child of a fourth-generation Wearside mining family. His father had moved from Houghton-le-Spring to get a job in the steelworks.

"I struggled at school. I never met one person in my youth who had been to university. It just wasn't on peoples radar," he recalled.

Being born in a baby boom year ensured that when Bob applied to join his dad, Sydney, at the town's biggest employer he was vying for a job with double the usual number of school leavers.

The year he subsequently spent out of work felt more like a decade.

"Every week I would walk the three mile round trip to Blackhill to sign the youth unemployment register, " he said. "There was no benefit paid. You signed on simply to show that you were available for work. 

"I was a drain on my parents. My mother kept chickens to make some extra money. I felt a lot of guilt. That period brought home the realities of life.

"Once I got the chance I threw myself into education, going four nights a week to Consett Technical College (now Derwentside College).

"You have to shake yourself down and get on with it. There is no substitute for working hard. A lot of the successful people I have met in life are late developers. You should never give up."

The Foundation of Light, founded and still chaired by Sir Bob, has become the UK's biggest football charity. It has a partnership with the College, as well as outreach centres across County Durham, which offer training and support with life skills.

The Foundation now employs 120 staff and backed by 50 volunteers it delivers almost 400 sessions a week to 10,000 children and young people, engaging with 80 schools.

"Education is a life-changer," said Sir Bob, who is personally sponsoring four special achievement awards at Thursday's event. "We don't care if you are a fan of Newcastle, Middlesbrough or any club. We are here to help. Our success rates through the Foundation are incredible.

"Unfortunately there is a need for it more than ever. We are living in two countries right now. Wales, Scotland and the North of England are facing a different challenge to those living further south.

"People in the south aren't brighter than those in the north. What we are trying to do is to give our people the chance to get the most from life."