The North-East football community united yesterday to mourn the passing of one of the sport's most legendary figures, Bob Stokoe. Bruce Unwin reports
FOOTBALL rivalry was cast aside yesterday as fans and sporting figures with both Sunderland and Newcastle affiliations came together for the funeral of Bob Stokoe.
The Tyne-Wear football divide was breached as mourners with both black and white and red and white affections paid a fond farewell to a respected football figure in the region.
Not only did Stokoe most famously lead Sunderland to their shock FA Cup Final victory of 1973 - the last time a major trophy came to the region - but he also enjoyed Wembley success in his playing days at Newcastle United 18 years earlier.
Mr Stokoe is also remembered for his managerial efforts with some of the Football League's lesser lights, having had varying success in spells at Bury, Blackpool, Rochdale, Charlton and Carlisle.
But it was the unlikely FA Cup triumph over the mighty Leeds team in May 1973, little more than six months after taking over as manager at a struggling Sunderland club near the foot of the old Second Division, for which Mr Stokoe etched his name permanently in football history.
Nearly all of the cup winning team of 1973, plus present manager Mick McCarthy, and chairman and vice-chairman Bob Murray and John Fickling, were among the mourners at Newcastle's West Road Crematorium.
Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson and several of Stokoe's playing contemporaries at United, were also among the congregation which packed Newcastle's West Road Crematorium's east chapel to overflowing.
Tribute was paid to Mr Stokoe the man, a winner on the pitch and on the manager's bench, but a true gent away from the football arena.
He was spoken of fondly in eulogies paid by his Newcastle youth team colleague, Scottish goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson, who was taken under Stokoe's wing, having joined United at the same time, in 1950, and by veteran North-East football writer Doug Weatherall. The former Daily Mail North-East sports reporter said: "Bob was unique. He's the only person to ever win a cup medal at both Newcastle and Sunderland.
"He had a fierce will to win and an appreciation of the value of team spirit.
"But, he also had an exceptional human quality, very thoughtful and sensitive, and he got huge respect from the players."
The Reverend Neil Cockling, Methodist minister at Prudhoe, near Stokoe's home village of Mickley, Northumberland, who conducted the service, spoke of the modest man who enjoyed relaxing with his beloved wife Jean at their caravan at Silloth on the Cumbrian coast, walking his dogs and playing golf.
Cup winning skipper Bobby Kerr said: "I had some great times with Bob, on and off the pitch.
"He was a true gentleman, and I think that's reflected in the numbers that are here today."
Scottish winger Billy Hughes said: "He did so much for us all and so that's why we're all here 30 years on.
"He is the first to go and it's a very sad day."
As if to outline the unified day of mourning they were among a number of the ex-Sunderland contingent who headed for the post-service gathering at Newcastle's St James' Park.
Mr Stokoe died at the University Hospital of Hartlepool on February 1, aged 73. He was admitted to the hospital several days after taking ill at Elwick Grange Nursing Home, near Hartlepool.
His late wife Jean died in 1999 and he leaves a daughter, Karen Craven, and son Malcolm.
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