SUNDERLAND fans will celebrate the life of footballer Ian Porterfield before the club's game against Reading on Saturday.
Flags were flying at half-mast outside the club's Stadium of Light last night as tributes poured in for the player who cemented a permanent place in supporters' hearts by scoring the winning goal in the 1973 FA Cup Final.
The 61-year-old Scot, who has managed the Armenian national team for the past year, died from colon cancer on Tuesday night, at a hospice in Surrey.
The club said fans could place tributes by the statue in honour of the 1973 side's manager, the late Bob Stokoe, outside the stadium.
Porterfield's footballing achievements will be celebrated by many of his 1973 cup-winning team-mates, who will join the Sunderland and Reading players for a moment of applause before kick-off.
Brian Moore's ITV commentary, building up to the moment Porterfield volleyed the winning goal in at Wembley, will play over the stadium PA system.
Close friend Mick Horswill, a fellow midfield player in the team of 1973, led the tributes last night, saying: "Ian was always the consummate professional.
"We had a great relationship and a fantastic team back then but, even then, you could always tell that, out of the whole side, Ian would be the one that would go into 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. 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 played on loan at Reading and took charge of the club from 1986 to 1988.
Players from both sides will wear black armbands on Saturday, while members of the 1973 team will gather to read tributes left by fans at the Stokoe statue.
Club 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.
"Saturday will be about celebrating his life, his achievements for Sunderland football club, and will give all supporters a chance to remember him in the most fitting way."
Fans can leave condolence messages on the club's official website, at safc.com
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