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Hi guys A minutes silence before the game. Sunderland and Chelsea will pay tribute to keeper Jimmy Thorpe tomorrow night - 75 years after his death. The goalkeeper whose tragic death changed the rules of modern football following a game between Sunderland and Chelsea 75 years ago is to be remembered tomorrow as the sides meet in the Barclays Premier League. Tomorrow night's fixture at the Stadium of Light marks the exact anniversary of the game on Wearside in which Sunderland goalkeeper Jimmy Thorpe received life threatening injuries as he held the ball, resulting in his untimely death just days later in February 1936. And both Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon and Chelsea stopper Petr Cech will wear black armbands throughout the game in memory of Thorpe - who died at the tender age of just 22. The fatality sent shockwaves through the game and was a major factor in the Laws of the Game being altered to stop players raising their foot to a goalkeeper when he has the ball in his hands. Sunderland went on to be crowned the country's Champions for the sixth time that season, with Jimmy's widow poignantly receiving his medal. Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: "Jimmy gave fantastic service to the club at a time when it was consistently challenging for - and winning - the Football League title, so he was right at the top of his game when he died. "To lose his life at such a young age and particularly as a result of a football match was absolutely tragic so it is fitting that we remember him, especially with the same two teams meeting 75 years on. "Craig and Petr are both only too willing to wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Jimmy. His legacy has protected goalkeepers and has prevented a lot more serious injuries and fatalities ever since and continues to do so." Sunderland's goalkeeper coach Nigel Spink and reserve 'keeper Simon Mignolet will also wear black armbands in a show of support. Thorpe had been making his 52nd consecutive appearance for Sunderland, having established himself as Sunderland's number one. A diabetic, Jarrow-born Jimmy was on the receiving end of brutal treatment throughout the 3-3 draw; a game in which Chelsea's Northern Ireland international Billy Mitchell was sent off - a rarity in pre-war games. Bolton-based referee, Mr. RS Warr, was condemned by the Football Association for allowing such play, leading the game's governing bodies to revise the protection of goalkeepers. Thorpe had made his debut for Sunderland against Huddersfield in October 1930. Previously an engineer in the Jarrow shipyards, he had played for Jarrow in the North Eastern League before signing for Sunderland at the age of seventeen.