FA Cup final hero Porterfield dies

Ian Porterfield, who fired Second Division Sunderland to victory over the mighty Leeds at Wembley Stadium in 1973, died at a hospice in Surrey on Tuesday night.

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.

Indeed, he took charge of his side for their superb 1-1 draw against Portugal in Yerevan on August 22 which left Luiz Felipe Scolari's superstars facing a fight to qualify for the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

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.

"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."

Dunfermline-born Porterfield began his management career in December 1979 at Rotherham, where he guided the South Yorkshire club to the Division Three title, 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 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. I played against him when he was with Raith Rovers. He was an exceptional footballer, blessed with a lot of natural talent."