posted Sep 12, 2007

Well Said. A Truly great Sunderland hero and his memory will live forever in the hearts of Sunderland fans.

RIP Sir Ian

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posted Sep 12, 2007

RIP we'll miss you Ian

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posted Sep 12, 2007

He was a much better passer than some realised, and ought to have been capped for Scotland.

Of course we remember the goal, but I also remember a real trier. In 1970 when Sunderland had four left-backs injured, it was Porterfield who was prepared to fill in. I can still picture him driving downfield on the overlap giving 110%. A year or so later he was off-form and captained the reserves against Crook Town. A shot of his was going well wide when it hit a Crook knee and shot into the opposite corner. Within minutes he'd scored again, the confidence came back and soon he was back in the first team. I wonder how much 1973 owes to a Crook knee?

Look at his managerial career and you'll see that he never turned down a challenge, whether it was following Ferguson at Aberdeen, rebuilding a Zambian team after the air disaster, or developing Armenia.

I hope there'll be a suitable memorial to him in Sunderland.

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posted Sep 12, 2007

RIP Ian.

To young to see your goal live, but seen it on video many times since.

I got to meet him at the hospital where I worked when he was the Reading Manager. He was there doing some charity work and walked around shaking hands with the staff and patients. When he came to me and shook my hand, all I could think to say was, "1973". He grinned and said, "You Sunderland lads get everywhere".

A sad loss for his family, friends and the footballing world.

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posted Sep 12, 2007

Although a Pompey fan, the best final I ever witnessed before and since was the one in '73. However, although he Porterfield goal sealed the win, my most abiding memory was of Bob Stokoe running across the pitch at full time in absolute ecstacy to hug the goal scorer - priceless.

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posted Sep 12, 2007

in 1993, zambia were on their way to a world cup qualifier when the plane carrying the entire team crashed killing everyonr aboard.a new team had to be assembled and ian was in charge of the rebuilding process.less than 12 months later this same team was playing in the final of the african nations cup only losing narrowly to nigeria.What more can i say?
rest in perfect peace ian

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posted Sep 12, 2007

Well said tolseq, a moving tribute and another sad loss to the game. Now i may not know the man but i know this much. Footballers in his day were proper role models not nancy-boy whingers who moan if they dont get paid as much as somebody else.
Rest in peace Ian, there are fewer proper men that play football these days and football is a sadder game without people like you. Have a laugh in heaven mate, youve earned it.

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posted Sep 12, 2007

I left North East in 63 (14 at the time) Sunderland AFC has always been the only club I could support Clough, Hurley, Anderson, Ashurst, Montomery etc - but the FA cup in 73!
My dad and my proudest moment - Porterfield and Stokoe - who could ask for anything else?

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posted Sep 13, 2007

This article has made me cry! I learnt of Ian's death yesterday but i was denied it was another Ian. He was our great coach in Zambia. We even had a song about him in 1994, specially composed even before he made us reach the finals. he managed to create 3 teams out of zambia'talent after the team died in a plane crash. Ian rest in peace. Never had a chance to watch him play (just born in 1976) but i saw him coach. could even go to the training grounds to see him coaching. What a loss for me. Good bye great "Zambian" Coach

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posted Sep 14, 2007

You said it all tolseq and according to a mate, for anybody in the area of the SOL the remainder of the team are having a tribute at the Bob Stokoe statue 1:30 before the Reading game.

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