February 11: Ian Porterfield Born

Ireland Euro 2012 Jersey

Sunderland shocked the football world in 1973 when they defeated Leeds United, one of Europe’s top clubs at the time, 1-0 to win the FA Cup but it would not have been possible if goalscorer Ian Porterfield had not been born in 1946 on this day in soccer history.

Portfield spent the majority of his playing career with Sunderland and the right footed blast from the traditionally left footed player was always the high point in his career.

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After hanging up his boots, Porterfield went on to coach at several teams around the globe. He was the last manager to replace Sir Alex Ferguson when he took over the reins at Aberdeen in 1986 when Fergie left for Manchester United and was the first manager sacked in the new English Premier League when Chelsea gave him his walking orders in 1993.

In addition to clubs in Great Britain, Porterfield managed the international teams for Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, Oman and Trinidad & Tobago.

Portfield died at the age of 61, on 11 September 2007, as a result of cancer of the colon.

Soccer Birthdays

1946 - Ian Porterfield, English footballer (d. 2007)
1963 - José Mari Bakero, Spanish footballer
1972 - Steve Mcmanaman, English footballer
1980 - Marco Bresciano, Australian soccer player
1980 - Titi Buengo, Angolan footballer
1981 - Scot Thompson, American soccer player
1983 - Rafael Van der Vaart, Dutch footballer