Sunderland defeated Leeds in 1973 to lift the FA cup

Stokoe, who led Sunderland to football glory in the 1970s and also managed Carlisle United and played for Newcastle, died last month aged 73.

The club and representatives from fans' groups, local businesses and Sunderland City Council are aiming to raise �73,000 to fund the memorial.

The design has not been decided but the statue will be at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland AFC vice-chairman John Fickling said: "The 1973 FA Cup win is one of the club's greatest achievements and it is only right that Bob Stokoe's triumph is recognised with a permanent tribute in the form of a statue at the Stadium of Light."

A website has been set up which will detail the progress of the appeal and for people to make donations.

Many tributes

Stokoe went down in footballing history after Sunderland famously beat Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup final.

He made 288 appearances for Newcastle United between 1947 and 1961 and was a member of the side which won the FA cup in 1955.

He started his management career at Bury when he took over as player manager and it was followed by time at Charlton and Rochdale.

He also managed Carlisle United three times over an 18-year period.

After his death, tributes flooded in and there was a two minutes' silence before the club's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Birmingham City on 14 February.

Hundreds of people, including members of the 1973 cup-winning team, attended his funeral.