Statue of club manager unveiled

Sunderland defeated Leeds in 1973 to lift the FA cup

A statue to honour legendary Sunderland manager Bob Stokoe has been unveiled.

He led the club to glory with a 1-0 victory over favourites Leeds United in the 1973 FA Cup final.

Following his death in February 2004 at the age of 73, there was a wave of support to create a lasting memorial and a drive started to raise £73,000.

The statue, which has been created by sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn, was unveiled at the Stadium of Light by Stokoe's daughter Karen Craven.

Members of the victorious 1973 team were also invited to Tuesday's ceremony.

'High regard'

Ms Craven said: "I'm very pleased with the statue and have been so impressed with the efforts of the committee and the people of Sunderland in their fundraising efforts - it is so nice to know that my father is still held in such high regard."

Mr Hedges-Quinn spent hundreds of hours working from video footage and photographs and incorporated tiny details such as Bob Stokoe's watch having its hands set at exactly 1650 GMT, the time the whistle blew on the day of the final.

He said: "Of course I have seen the statue in the foundry but I'm excited about seeing it on the plinth in all its glory. It has been a great project to work on."

The project came in slightly under budget which means there is a surplus of more than £5,000 which will be donated to the Alzheimer's Society at the request of the Stokoe family.