Sunderland AFC's 1973 FA Cup legend Ian Porterfield born on this day in 1946 - what are your memories of him?Sunderland AFC's 1973 FA Cup legend Ian Porterfield born on this day in 1946 - what are your memories of him?
Sunderland AFC's 1973 FA Cup legend Ian Porterfield born on this day in 1946 - what are your memories of him?

Sunderland AFC's 1973 FA Cup legend Ian Porterfield born on this day in 1946 - what are your memories of him?

On this day in 1946, a Sunderland AFC legend was born in Dunfermline.

As a player, Ian Porterfield scored the only goal of the legendary 1973 FA Cup final as Sunderland memorably overcame the odds to beat Leeds United.

In later life as a manager, he has the dubious honour of being the first boss to be sacked in the Premier League era, when he axed at Chelsea.

Earlier in his career, the Scot succeeded Alex Ferguson as manager of Aberdeen in 1986.

But it is in the North East where Porterfield is most fondly remembered.

At the age of 15, the Porterfield had a trial for Leeds United but returned to Scotland after suffering homesickness, later joining Raith Rovers.

He signed for Sunderland in 1967 where he experienced his finest moment as a player when he scored the winner at Wembley that famous final.

He stayed at Sunderland for ten years, with a brief loan spell at Reading in 1976, before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday in July 1977, first as a player and then as player-coach.

All in all, Porterfield made 230 league appearances for Sunderland, scoring 17 goals.

Sadly, Porterfield died, aged 61, on September 11, 2007 as a result of colon cancer, which had been diagnosed earlier that year.

A minute's silence was held before Sunderland's next game at the Stadium of Light against Reading.

To pay tribute to Sunderland's FA Cup-winning hero, here are some fantastic photos of the great man in action during his career: