SUNDERLAND chairman Bob Murray moved quickly at the weekend to dismiss speculation that the club might lose manager Peter Reid and England striker Kevin Phillips during the summer.

Murray was on his way home after the Wearsiders saw their European dream finally ended following a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park when he heard fans of Everton and Arsenal, speaking on the Radio Five talk show 606 suggesting that Reid might be tempted back to his old Merseyside club and Arsenal could tempt Sunderland to sell 18-goal Phillips with a £15m bid.

The millionaire supremo, who masterminded a move to the Stadium of Light and saw his confidence in Reid rewarded with two seventh placings in the Premiership, took the unusual step of phoning in to speak to the show host and committed Sunderland fan Steve Cram - and found himself getting an earful from a disgruntled 64-year-old Wearside supporter.

Murray said: "We have had a magnificent season and we haven't had crowds below 44,000 at the Stadium of Light."

Asked about the suggestion that Reid might be lined up as a replacement if Everton parted company with manager Walter Smith Murray replied: "They know more than me - why would Peter want to leave Sunderland and go to a smaller club.

"If he left Sunderland he would have to take me with him."

And when pressed about the possibility of the club parting with crowd favourite Phillips Murray responded: "Kevin is different class - he scored two tremendous goals today."

"Now everything at Sunderland is positive because Peter is an awesome manager. He will win silverware before much longer.

"Peter Reid has taken Sunderland way beyond our dreams."

When told by the Sunderland die-hard that the club needed a striker, a creative midfield player and a new full-back Murray replied: "Peter is always looking for players every day."

And the chairman hinted that there is further big news in the offing about the club, which recently announced a reduction in season ticket prices for next season. He said: "We have got our magnificent stadium and our new youth academy will be the best in Britain. We have other plans we haven't announced yet."

Phillips has spoken of his disappointment not to have opened a door into Europe next season.

He said: "The day is tinged with disappointment because we haven't qualified for Europe. Yet again we gave ourselves a great opportunity and let ourselves down.

"We have only got ourselves to blame because we had a great opportunity - a couple of months ago we were second, but we lost ground since then and it is disappointing. But we'll go away for the summer, relax and come back stronger."

Phillips is now looking forward to having a break from football after a tough season.

He said: "People have said it's been a disappointing season for me but I totally disagree. I've got 18 goals and I'm pleased.

"Maybe I haven't reached my personal target of 20 goals but I can't complain with 18 - in two seasons in the Premiership I've scored 48 and that can't be bad."

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