FOOTBALL fans are invited to remember legendary Sunderland manager Bob Stokoe at a service in the city on Wednesday.

The man who won the FA Cup as a player with Newcastle United and as a manager with Sunderland died earlier this year, aged 73.

He died in hospital in Hartlepool after he became ill in a nursing home where he was living near the town, in February.

A funeral was held in Newcastle, attended by family, friends and figures representing both clubs.

A public memorial service will be held at Sunderland Minster on Wednesday, the 31st anniversary of the Black Cats' Stokoe-inspired Wembley victory over the Leeds team of the early 1970s.

The service will start at 3pm, after a display of the FA Cup, during which members of the public are invited to sign a memorial book.

Canon Stephen Taylor, who will lead the service, said he expected the 600-seat church, opposite the Empire Theatre, in High Street West, to be packed.

Members of Stokoe's family and Sunderland's mayor, Councillor Juliana Heron, will attend, and the atmosphere of 1973 will be recreated with the singing of the cup-final anthem Abide With Me as the opening hymn.

Sunderland's cup-winning captain and goalkeeping hero Bobby Kerr and Jim Montgomery will attend, while the rest of the squad of 1973 may also attend.

Other well-known sporting, civic and business figures are expected among the congregation, along with Sunderland Football Club vice-chairman John Fickling, who will head club representatives.

The service is expected to cross the Tyne-Wear football divide as invites have been made to celebrated names with Newcastle connections, including Sir John Hall, Sir Bobby Robson and Stokoe's former playing contemporaries.

International athletes Newcastle fan Brendan Foster and Sunderland-supporting Steve Cram are also on the guest list.

During the service, Stokoe's daughter, Karen Craven, will speak, while former North-East sports journalist Doug Wetherall, a close friend of Stokoe's, will comment on the 1973 success.

There will be an update on the progress of the appeal to build a statue in Stokoe's memory at the Stadium of Light, with the retiring collection to be added to the fund.

Viewing of the FA Cup and signing of the memorial book will take place from noon to 2pm, at the minster, which will re-open at 2.30pm for the service.