SIR BOB MURRAY is desperate for Sunderland to be in safe hands under prospective new owner Stewart Donald, who he hopes is the right man to takeover after the “worst season in the club’s history”.

Donald met with senior EFL officials on Friday along with Ellis Short to outline his funding plans for the Black Cats and how he attempts to complete the sale of Eastleigh.

The meeting is not expected to be definitive and is part of the process for the EFL to assess whether he is a worthy owner of Sunderland.

Murray, speaking in an in depth interview with Northern Echo at the new Beacon of Light community hub, does not know much about Donald, but hopes everything will be in place for him to lead a revival after the fall into League One.

“We all know this was the worst season in Sunderland’s history,” said Murray, who sold Sunderland in 2006 after more than 20 years as chairman.

“There’s nothing else to say on that. I know football, I learned it, and when things are bad in football they can always get worse. That has always been the case, things can get worse, so why would that change? It depends on who owns your club.”

He added: “It all depends who owns the club, doesn’t it? At the moment the EFL have to make a decision, and quickly, but they have to make the right decision and make sure they have all the facts in front of them.

“Before Stewart’s name came up I had never heard of him in my life. I don’t think it’s up to me to cast judgement on a guy I don’t know or never met. Let’s hope the EFL do their job properly and make a decision.”

  •  Full Sir Bob Murray interview in Saturday’s The Northern Echo