WHEN Sunderland's class of '73 take centre stage at the Stadium of Light this afternoon, manager Roy Keane will join the club's past in taking the time to pay tribute to the man whose goal clinched FA Cup glory 34 years ago.

When Ian Porterfield lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday night, the whole nation was moved by the passing of one of the FA Cup's most famous giant-killing heroes.

A minute's applause will echo around the packed stadium on Wearside to the sound of commentator Brian Moore describing the moment when Porterfield's right-foot volley crashed into the Leeds net at Wembley.

And Keane believes it will be a hugely important occasion for everyone connected with Sunderland to acknowledge Porterfield's contribution towards making Sunderland the name it is today.

"The club will pay the respects to a man who deserves it," said Keane, who was approaching his second birthday when Second Division Sunderland defeated the mighty Leeds.

"The 73 team will be out there and the atmosphere will be nice. It will be very emotional for the player's family, but that's the least we can all do for a player and his family who deserves it, especially when you consider his age, 61 years of age.

"It's very sad but it's a nice thing to do for a player who has left his mark on this club.

"You can't forget players who have left their mark and played a part in the club's history. It will be nice to pay our respects."

Since taking over at Sunderland Keane has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the whole club appreciate the club's former glory.

Pictures depicting yesteryear and former glories have been framed and placed on the walls of the tunnel, around the stadium and at the Academy of Light training ground.

Porterfield loved the game to such an extent that he travelled to Armenia just weeks before his death to give one last team-talk as their manager, and his association with the North-East has left Sunderland with a memory they will cherish forever.

And Keane feels Porterfield will want both teams to put on a show for him inside the Stadium of Light later today.

"I liked what his wife, Glenda, said about it this week," said Keane. "We all get bogged down by what we do on a football pitch, but footballers are human beings and it's what they bring to their families that matters. We should not forget that.

"There have been many occasions when there has been a minute's silence and it will be a case of showing your respects first and foremost.

"But the other side of the situation is that you are a pro footballer and when the whistle goes the players have to be focused on the job in hand.

"It's what Ian would want, to get three points is the best way to show your respects."

In the same year as Porterfield struck his memorable winner against Leeds, there was also a success of a different sort across the Irish Sea in another form of the game.

Keane was still in nappies when his native Cork City overcame Galway in the All-Ireland final in Gaelic Football.

Since that day Cork have gone on to win the competition on a couple of occasions but the last of those triumphs was some 17 years ago.

On Sunday, though, Keane will be tuned in to witness Cork's first All-Ireland final in eight years against Kerry. And the proud Corkman said: "I won't be going to Cork to watch the game.

"There is no way that I will be able to go over there without being hassled and, after everything that will be going on Saturday, I have decided to watch it from home on television.

"I like to spend Sunday relaxing and switching off. But I would love the boys to win it for Cork."