Football pay tribute to departed Porterfield
Sunderland is in mourning after the death of the man whose goal
produced one of the great FA Cup final shocks.
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Ian Porterfield, who fired the then Second Division Wearsiders to
victory over the mighty Leeds at Wembley in 1973, died at a hospice
in Surrey yesterday at the age of 61.
Porterfield was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year, but
carried on with his duties as manager of Armenia's national team
until just before his death.
Indeed, he took charge of his side for their superb 1-1 draw
against Portugal in Yerevan on August 22, which left Luiz Felipe
Scolari's superstars facing a fight to qualify for Euro 2008.
Former Sunderland team-mate Jim Montgomery, who was in goal at
Wembley in 1973, led the tributes.
'It's a very sad day indeed,' he told Sky Sports News. '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.'
Dunfermline-born Porterfield began his management career in
December 1979 at Rotherham, where he guided the South Yorkshire
club to the Division Three title.
He then had a successful spell at Sheffield United before replacing
Sir Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen in 1986.
He also took charge at Reading and Chelsea before embarking upon an
international odyssey.
Porterfield managed the Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Oman and
Trinidad and Tobago national teams, as well South Korean club side
Busan I'Park, before accepting the Armenian FA's offer of
employment.
Manchester United boss Ferguson 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.'
Porterfield will perhaps be most fondly remembered for his Wembley
winner.
His 31st-minute volley with his weaker right foot overturned
seemingly insurmountable odds to secure a remarkable giant-killing
act.
The midfielder had begun his playing career at Raith before making
a £45,000 move to Sunderland in December 1967.
He made 266 appearances for the club and scored 19 goals before -
following a loan spell at Reading - leaving for Sheffield Wednesday
during the summer of 1977.
Sunderland chairman Niall 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.
Porterfield is survived by his wife Glenda, who 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.'
RIP brother, have a safe trip to the other world and may God
bless your soul.
