Sunderland hero Porterfield dies
Porterfield will be greatly missed at Sunderland
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Tuesday, 11, Sep 2007 10:02
Ian Porterfield, who scored the winning goal for Sunderland in the 1973 FA Cup final against Leeds, has died at the age of 61.
Porterfield had been diagnosed with colon cancer earlier in the year but continued with his duties as manager of Armenia's national team right up to his death.
Born in Dunfermline, Porterfield enjoyed a successful managerial career at Rotherham, Sheffield United, Aberdeen, Reading and Chelsea.
He then went on to coach in Korea before taking charge of Armenia and led them to a number of remarkable results, such as their 1-1 draw with Portugal in a European Championship qualifier in August.
Porterfield took over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen in 1986 and the Manchester United boss claimed he would be greatly missed.
"His death so young is a tragedy for his family and for football," he said.
"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."
Niall Quinn, Sunderland's chairman wrote on the club's website: "It is a very, very sad day for the football club and of course our immediate thoughts are with Ian's wife Glenda and his family during what is a tremendously difficult time.
"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.
"His appearances for the club during ten loyal years at Roker Park, not to mention his winning goal at Wembley, also ensure that his name is up there with the likes of Charlie Hurley, Raich Carter and Bobby Gurney."