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Newcastle United have mourned the loss of two loyal club supporters, who tragically lost their lives in the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crash on Thursday. John Alder and Liam Sweeney, the two supporters in question, were preparing to travel to New Zealand to watch Newcastle in action during their pre-season tour when this unfortunate incident occurred.
Alder, who was in his 60s, was particularly famous with the supporters due to his amusing habit of wearing suits to matches. It is believed that Alder had missed just one Newcastle game, home or away, in the last 30 years, reflecting the close affinity he had with the club.
He, along with Sweeney, who was just 28 years old, had travelled to Amsterdam in a bid to catch the flight to Kuala Lumpur. They were planning to rest for a few days in the Malaysian city before flying out to New Zealand to watch the club in action for a couple of games next week.
Newcastle United pay warm tribute
"It is with great sadness that we learn today the tragic news of the deaths of John Alder and Liam Sweeney, two of the club's most loyal supporters, who lost their lives on Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 which crashed on Thursday afternoon in Eastern Ukraine," Newcastle United said.
"John and Liam were travelling out to New Zealand together to support Newcastle United in the forthcoming Football United Tour, which takes place next week in Dunedin and Wellington.
"Both men were familiar faces at every Newcastle United away game and attended not only first team games but Reserve and Academy matches too.
"John was a lifelong supporter and a familiar sight in the stands for almost half-a-century, having barely missed a single game in that time.
"Liam will be known to many fans during his time volunteering as a steward on supporters' buses to away games."
As an ode to the two passing away, the manager Alan Pardew and the players will be wearing a black armband during the pre-season matches in New Zealand.
Pardew has expressed his shock at hearing the devastating news and has also extended support to the families and friends concerned.
"Myself and all the players are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news," said manager Alan Pardew.
"We all knew how passionately John and Liam supported the team and the club.
"They were with us just earlier this week for our first pre-season friendly against Oldham and their dedication to travel all the way around the world to support us in New Zealand tells you all you need to know about the passion they had for Newcastle United.
“Our hearts go out to their families and friends."
Fans of fierce rivals Sunderland, give a floral tribute for the two Newcastle United fans
Football supporters can often be very partisan and callous, deriving joy from the misfortune of rival clubs. So it is, indeed, heartening to see that fans of Sunderland, who have a deep rivalry with Newcastle United, have set up a donation which will help pay for a floral tribute to the two Newcastle fans.
