'He made me cry!': Leeds United fan Kevin Ball on the 1973 FA Cup final - and forgiving Sunderland legend Jimmy Montgomery

For the Sunderland legend grew up a Leeds United fan, and watched on as his boyhood club were beaten underneath the Twin Towers of Wembley - Ian Porterfield’s strike enough to seal the trophy for the Black Cats.

Arguably more memorable than the goal itself was Jimmy Montgomery’s fine double save, a moment of pure inspiration which continues to astound supporters 47 years later.

So too does it perplex Ball, who was quick to ask the stopper as to the details behind the stop when he arrived on Wearside in 1990.

But now, the former all-action midfielder is proud to have taken his place alongside Montgomery in the club’s history books.

Ball told the Echo: “I supported Leeds United and he made me cry. I tell him that all the time, and he laughs about it.

“I ask him about his save - 'why didn't you catch it?' - and he turns around and says 'because they wouldn't be talking about the second one like they do now!'.

“When I look at him, and when I first met him after I came to the club, that was quite humbling for me - to think that I was meeting the goalkeeper that was in goal that day.

“He's such a top bloke and he's a true and utter legend of this football club.

“To have earnt the right to be alongside people such as him, it's great.”