Ian Porterfield, who fired Sunderland to FA Cup final glory over Leeds at Wembley in 1973, has died at the age of 61.
Football mourns Wembley great
Ian Porterfield, who fired Second Division Sunderland to FA Cup final glory over Leeds at Wembley in 1973, has died at the age of 61.
Porterfield was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year, but carried on with his duties as manager of Armenia's national team until just before his death at a hospice in Surrey on Tuesday night.
His final match in charge of Armenia was for their superb 1-1 draw against Portugal in Yerevan on 22nd August.
Porterfield's widow 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.
"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."
Ferguson
Dunfermline-born Porterfield began his management career in December 1979 at Rotherham and had a successful spell at Sheffield United before replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen following his compatriot's departure for Manchester United in 1986.
He also took charge at Reading and, for 20 months until February 1991, Chelsea, before embarking upon his international odyssey.
Porterfield took charge of the Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Oman and Trinidad and Tobago national teams, as well as South Korean club side Busan I'Park, before accepting the Armenian FA's offer of employment.
Ferguson 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."
Wearside
It is as a player that Porterfield will most fondly be remembered on Wearside as his 31st minute volley with his weaker right foot overturned seemingly insurmountable odds to secure a remarkable giant-killing act.
Midfielder Porterfield began his playing career at Raith before making a £45,000 move to Sunderland in December 1967.
He made 266 appearances for the club and scored 19 goals before, after a loan spell at Reading, leaving for Sheffield Wednesday during the summer of 1977.
