THE appeal for a statue of FA Cup-winning Sunderland football manager Bob Stokoe has reached its target.
The £73,000 target was reached with donations of £5,000 from the club and Sunderland City Council.
Sculptors and designs will now be sought and the bronze artwork could be installed at the Stadium of Light by the summer.
The appeal was launched after Mr Stokoe, best remembered for Sunderland's underdog victory over Leeds United at Wembley in 1973, died in February following an illness.
The money for the statue has come from events such as collections at the stadium and in local pubs and clubs, celebrity golf days, sales of commemorative beer and a theatrical night.
The club's marketing and communications director, Lesley Callaghan, said: "Thanks to the generosity and efforts of local people, Sunderland supporters and donations from across the world, we are now in the position to commission the work on the statue to remember Bob Stokoe in a way that reflects his popularity and stature.
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