Lancashire clubs in mourning

Last updated : 02 February 2004 By Tony Scholes

Bob Stokoe
The two well known managers both passed away yesterday with both having suffered from similar illnesses.

Bob Stokoe was a familiar figure in the north west and was twice manager of each of Blackpool, Bury and Rochdale although he will always be best remembered as the Sunderland manager where he led them to FA Cup success in 1973. Today the flags are flying at half mast at the Stadium of Light where a two minute’s silence will be observed before their FA Cup tie against Birmingham when they hope to be able to have the trophy on view.

Our own manager Stan Ternent was linked with Stokoe on more than one occasion. He played for him at Carlisle and then signed for him at Sunderland where he took his first steps as a coach.

It was Stokoe who took him to Blackpool and in 1979 Stan replaced him as manager, his first job in management.

Bob Stokoe, always referred to as ‘The Messiah’ at Sunderland, was suffering from a severe form of dementia and was transferred to the University Hospital of Hartlepool last week where he passed away yesterday from pneumonia at the age of 73.

Ally MacLeod was the Scotland manager for their ill feted World Cup campaign of 1978 in Argentina. He spent his entire management career and much of his playing career north of the border but played for our local rivals Blackburn Rovers in the late 1950s and early 1960s including an appearance in the FA Cup Final.

He continued in club management in Scotland after leaving the international set up and whilst in charge of Queen of the South he played in their reserves against St. Mirren and scored when past his 60th birthday.

In recent years he has suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease although he was well enough to attend a reception at Hampden Park last summer to collect a lifetime achievement award but yesterday at the age of 72 he died peacefully at home.

We would wish to send our condolences to the families of both Bob Stokoe and Ally MacLeod at this very sad time.