ALONG with the heroics of goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery and Bob Stokoe's charge across the Wembley turf, Ian Porterfield's FA Cup final goal will forever be etched in Sunderland's proud history.

The man whose solitary goal in 1973 produced, arguably, the greatest FA Cup final upset passed away at the age of 61 last night, leaving the football world in mourning.

Porterfield had been diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year but had carried on his duties as manager of Armenia until just before his death at a hospice in Surrey.

The sight of him firing second division Sunderland to victory over the might of Don Revie's Leeds will be around for years to come.

The memory of Porterfield crashing in a volley with his weaker right foot has never faded.

This was a man who lived and breathed football across the world and his last act as manager of Armenia was to steer them to an unlikely draw with Portugal on August 22 in Yerevan.

Porterfield, who touched the hearts of many around the world with his generosity and kind outlook to life, had chosen to make the trip from his sick bed to take charge of that European Championships qualifier.

"He just loved football and he just wanted to go back to Armenia to take charge of his team," said Montgomery. "I'm so glad he did that for the Portugal game because that's what he wanted."

And Porterfield's wife, Glenda, 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."

Given how Porterfield - who boasts Reading as one of his former clubs - is the first of Sunderland's '73 side to pass away, Montgomery feels that this Saturday's Premier League fixture with the Royals will be one of huge emotion.

He said: "I know that there are number of the lads from that FA Cup winning team hoping to get up to Sunderland on Saturday so that we can all pay our respects."

Born in Dunfermline, Porterfield signed for Sunderland from Raith Rovers for £45,000 in 1967. He made 268 appearances for the club in ten years before moving onto Sheffield Wednesday, Reading (loan) and Rotherham.

It was at Millmoor his management career began in December 1979 at Rotherham, where he guided the South Yorkshire club to the Division Three title.

He also had a spell at Sheffield United before he took over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen in 1986.

And, after further roles in charge of Reading and Chelsea, where he signed striker Joe Allon from Hartlepool United, he began his globe-trekking by taking charge of many obscure international teams.

Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Oman and Trinidad & Tobago were all touched by Porterfield before he returned to club management with South Korean club side Busan Park.

But it was the Armenia FA, some 13 months ago, who were to offer him his final managerial post.

And Ferguson, who has remained a close friend, 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."

But before he began his international odyssey, it was those years as a Sunderland player that he will be most fondly remembered.

The midfielder, who scored 19 goals before leaving in the summer of 1977, was seriously injured in a car accident in December 1974. He was left with a fractured skull and a broken jaw. He made a full recovery.

But this morning, some 33 years on, his death has claimed a genuine Wearside hero.

The abiding memory of his cup winning volley on one afternoon in 1973 will, however, never be forgotten