People Features

BBC Radio Newcastle's Russ Ward caught up with some of the fans who attended Ian Porterfield's memorial service at Sunderland Minster and asked the question "Where were you when the ball hit the back of the net at Wembley in 1973?"

Bill Hartburn, 72, attended the FA Cup final in 1973 and had to quietly celebrate in between the Leeds United fans:

"We left Houghton-le-Spring at five o'clock in the morning by coach all the way to Wembley. Believe it or not, I stood amongst the Leeds supporters because I wasn't able to obtain a ticket from Sunderland, but I was able to obtain one from Leeds and I found the Leeds supporters very friendly.

Bill at Sunderland Minster

"I was a regular supporter in those days, followed Sunderland everywhere and I was also a great admirer of Ian Porterfield both as a player and as a man," says Bill.

Certainly wasn't about the money

Robert Humphries from Sunderland was watching the game at home and said he was overjoyed.

"I couldn't believe what was happening at the time, nobody thought Sunderland could do it. The end of the day they played with their hearts and played football, because in them days it certainly wasn't about the money like it is these days.

"You can watch it over and over again and still re-live the same moment in time.

"I've signed the book of remembrance to remember a great guy who will never be forgot," says Robert.

Dancing in fountains

Dave Griffiths has supported Sunderland from as long as he can remember and was 21 when the Black Cats lifted the cup. He is 55 now and remembers the panic of getting tickets for the match and the celebrations afterwards:

"Tickets were allocated by means of tokens on the back of match day programmes. I had already been lucky enough to be among the ones that got semi-final tickets.

Ron Guthrie defending against Terry Yorath

"I discarded my tokens thinking that was it. Only to be drawn out again for final tickets (You can imagine the panic to find the tokens!).

"We never thought that we would lose. What stood out for me on the day was both sets of fans got on together, we mixed with Leeds fans both before and after the game (that wouldn't happen today) and then of course the goal scored by the late great Ian Porterfield and the double saves made by Monty.

"After the game the euphoria amongst Sunderland fans was electric. We were singing, chanting and dancing all the way home.

"I ended up dancing in the fountains because I thought at the time it was the thing to do."

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