Wembley heroes to celebrate Porterfield

By Damian Spellman
Published: 13 September 2007

Sunderland's 1973 FA Cup heroes will turn out in force to celebrate the memory of their team-mate Ian Porterfield. Flags were flying at half-mast at the Stadium of Light yesterday following Porterfield's death on Tuesday night. The 61-year-old died at a Surrey hospice after a battle against colon cancer.

The club has also announced plans to honour the man whose goal clinched a famous 1-0 FA Cup final victory over the then First Division giants Leeds, ahead of Saturday's home Premier League game with Reading.

Nine members of the squad at Wembley that afternoon – Micky Horswill, Jim Montgomery, Bobby Kerr, Dick Malone, Ritchie Pitt, Ron Guthrie, Dennis Tueart, Billy Hughes and David Young – will join the players of both teams around the centre circle for a moment's applause before kick-off.

The stadium will echo to Brian Moore's commentary of Porterfield smashing home the shot which earned him legendary status on Wearside. Close friend and former central midfield partner Horswill said: "Ian was always the consummate professional. I always remember that he would often pull me to one side after training and say to me, 'Micky, win the ball, give it to me and we will win more matches than we will lose'. That always used to make me laugh, but his advice was spot on. We had a great relationship and a fantastic team back then.

"But even in those days, you could always tell that out of the whole side, Ian would be the one that would go in to management. He was a leader and he gave his life to football.

"He loved the people at Sunderland and he so loved playing for the club, and Saturday will hopefully provide a fitting way for fans to pay their tributes because he is a massive part of the club's history."

Porterfield also had spells as both player and manager at Reading, and both sides will wear black armbands for the game. Sunderland fans have been asked to place their own tributes at the statue of Bob Stokoe, who managed the team to FA Cup glory.

Sunderland's chairman Niall Quinn said: "That team of 1973 is the most famous in this club's history and Ian will be forever remembered for that memorable goal. But Saturday will be about celebrating Ian's life, his achievements for Sunderland football club, and will give all supporters a chance to remember him."

Tributes to the man who scored the goal which condemned Leeds to one of the biggest Wembley shocks in 1973 have been flowing in ever since Tuesday night, and the Sunderland manager Roy Keane was quick to add his.

The Irishman, who was a one-year-old at the time, said: "It's very sad news. The word legend is overused in football, but having scored the goal he did, Ian Porterfield is a Sunderland legend.

"He will always be remembered by the Sunderland fans, so it's a very sad time for the club – 61 is no age at all.

"I was aware of the 1973 cup final, but more so since I came to Sunderland. It is a cup final that a lot of people remember because of the shock. People talk about the goal and the [Jim Montgomery] save. Yes, it will always be remembered.

"There are other cup finals that I don't remember too much about, but like most people, I know about that one.

"It was an upset and that's the beauty of football, you don't know what's going to happen. Everyone thought Leeds were going to walk it – it gives us all a bit of hope."

England's one-day cricket captain, Paul Collingwood, a devoted Sunderland fan currently in South Africa where he is preparing for the ICC World Twenty20 Championships, described Porterfield as "a real legend" after hearing the news of his death.

"He's a real legend for Sunderland," said Collingwood. "I saw the video of the 1973 final when I was young and remember the 31st minute and Ian Porterfield's goal and I'm sure he'll be remembered as one of the legends of soccer.

"My auntie and uncle were the first to take me to the football and they were both at Wembley in 1973 and told me all the stories about it.

"I wasn't born at the time but I've certainly seen all the footage and Jim Montgomery's double save and Bob Stokoe running on to the field.

"They are all legendary images and I'm sure Ian Porterfield's death will be a massive loss to the club and all football fans."