Blues manager Paul Cook believes it will be heartwarming for Town and Plymouth legend Paul Mariner’s family when fans of the two clubs pay tribute to the striker at Saturday’s match at Home Park.

Mariner, who died in July aged 68, was with the Pilgrims between 1973 and 1976 before joining the Blues with whom he won the FA and UEFA Cups before moving on to Arsenal in 1984. He returned to Home Park as a manager between 2009 and 2010.

PAFC Displays are organising a tribute at tomorrow’s match involving both sets of supporters.

“We have spoken to our club and we will be putting on a stadium display to honour the life of a true legend,” Nick Tomlinson from PAFC Displays told TWTD earlier this month. “We plan to have something in both the home and away ends of the ground.”

A minute's applause will be held ahead kick off, then supporters of both sides will be prompted to untie a sheet attached to their seat and hold it aloft.

Fans of both clubs made donations to help pay for the display with retro and fan culture sports merchandising company The Terrace ultimately agreeing to cover the cost with any additional funds raised going to charity.

Cook agreed that two clubs honouring one of their great servants together in this way is a great thing.

“Without a shadow of a doubt,” he said. “I think to take a moment for Paul's family to look back on his career, the time he spent at both clubs and obviously the love that is felt for Paul at both of those clubs will be a really good heartwarming feeling for his family.

“So that hopefully goes through tomorrow and we can all address that and pay our respects in the correct and proper way.”

Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe says he looked into the career of Mariner following the former England striker's death.

“We're going to have the Paul Mariner celebration too on Saturday so it all bodes well,” he told Plymouth Live.

“When he passed I did a bit of research on him, I obviously knew he was a legend here, but you look at the goals he scored - he was a fantastic servant to both clubs.”

On Sunday, Mariner’s life will be celebrated at A Night to Remember Paul Mariner at Home Park, an event staged by the Kevin Beattie Foundation and Argyle Legends.

Photo: Action Images

Suffolkboy added 12:04 - Oct 29 Most certainly one of our greatest players and characters , a genuine person ,well grounded and with a generous outlook on life : we miss him ,and PAFC people will embrace his memory too ! COYB
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TimmyH added 13:07 - Oct 29 and rightfully so...will be emotional.
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muccletonjoe added 13:07 - Oct 29 Could not be more fitting
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Orraman added 13:28 - Oct 29 Really great to see 2 clubs and 2 sets of supporters coming together in this way to honour a legend at both clubs. Although there are probably few occasions in which clubs who share a legend come together it is so good to see friendliness between 2 sets of fans. In these days where the ugly side of football is once more encroaching on our beloved game we are indeed fortunate that overall we are a pretty friendly bunch and tend to offer a welcome to most visiting fans. Makes the whole match day experience more enjoyable

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bluesnightorg added 13:40 - Oct 29 I saw Paul Mariner in Solar Superstore in Sproughton Road in about 1982. He was looking at the football annuals. I was about ten years old and couldn't manage to open my mouth to say a single word so I just stood there and stared at him. He turned and smiled at me. It is one of the most precious memories of my youth. Those really were the days.
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therein61 added 15:19 - Oct 29 Great work being done from Plymouth to celebrate Paul Mariners life in front of his family, it will bring both sets of fans together in what will be a very emotional day, he was a legend and will always be remembered.
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monkeymagic added 17:33 - Oct 29 When Ipswich were away, me and my mate Mick took to watching Harwich and Parkeston, as Kevin Beattie was playing for them. (1985-1986, I think) We used to sit on the 'Main Road' terrace, there was no need to stand as there was only about 10 other punters. On one occasion, Mick turned to me and said "there's Paul Mariner, he's coming over". I thought he was taking the piss but it was indeed PM and he sat with us for most of the match, just chatting about football and asking how we were doing at school etc. Unbelievably nice man. During the game, he advised me to stop smoking (PM, not Mick)

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