Tributes for Sunderland hero Porterfield

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has paid tribute to the club's 1973 FA Cup Final hero Ian Porterfield, who has died at the age of 61.

Porterfield scored the only goal as second division Sunderland beat high-flying Leeds United at Wembley.

He went on to manage Rotherham, Sheffield United, Aberdeen, Reading and Chelsea before forging a successful career as an international boss with Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Oman, Trinidad and Tobago and Armenia.

Porterfield was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year but carried on working for Armenia and was in charge for the 1-1 draw with Portugal in a Euro 2008 qualifier on August 22.

Quinn said: "The word legend can be very much over-used in the modern era of football, but Ian is what I would call a true legend of the game.

"He is part of what can only be described as an institution in the long and proud history of Sunderland AFC, the famous FA Cup-winning team of 1973."

British fans may remember Porterfield for his Wembley winner but he was a popular coach around the world.

His wife Glenda said: "He may have been a football man all his life, but I know him best as a wonderful human being who was liked by everyone he came in contact with.

"He had his wish to die in harness. Just over two weeks ago, we flew to Armenia for the Portugal game and I'll always remember what happened at the open training session at the stadium on the day before the game.

"The stadium was packed to see all the Portuguese stars like Ronaldo, Deco and the rest, but when Ian walked out, they all stood up and shouted his name. It was very moving."

Porterfield was born in Dunfermline and started his career with Raith Rovers.

He later replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as Aberdeen manager.

Sir Alex said: "His death so young is a tragedy for his family and for football.

"It isn't long ago when he was coaching in Korea that I spoke with him with the intention of getting a few young players over to United.

"I played against him when he was with Raith Rovers. He was an exceptional footballer, blessed with a lot of natural talent."

He moved to England in 1967 to play for Sunderland and only scored 17 goals in ten years at Roker Park.

His Cup Final-winning team-mate, goalkeeper Jim Montgomery, said: "It's a very sad day indeed. I have known him since he first signed for the club and he was just a wonderful man, a gentleman who would do anything for anybody.

"We had not seen each other for quite a while because of his travels all over the world, but whenever he came back he kept in touch. It's a great loss."

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