Newcastle Fans Remember Liam Sweeney And John Alder Exactly One Year On

Newcastle United supporters will remember passionate fans Liam Sweeney and John Alder exactly a year to the day since they were tragically killed in the MH17 air disaster. A total of 298 people lost their lives when the Malaysian Airways flight was shot down over Ukraine on July 17th, 2014 - with Mr Sweeney and Mr Alder on their way to New Zealand to watch the Magpies' pre-season matches Down Under. All of the 298 passengers who perished will be remembered across the globe on Friday, but Tyneside in particular will commemorate the death of two extremely passionate fans.

On the second part of their 23,000-mile round-trip to see their loved Magpies, 28-year-old Mr Sweeney and 63-year-old Mr Alder were on the Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur flight that was shot down. Passionate Toon fans who followed the Magpies both home and away, the pair were commemorated on the club's first official programme of the 2014-15 season - while at every single match, the Newcastle faithful led a minute's applause in their memory. On Friday in California during training, the Newcastle squad will hold a minute's silence to mark the anniversary. At matches at St James' Park, following the installation of the big screen in October, the club would also display an image of two Newcastle shirts bearing the names "Alder" and "Sweeney", accompanied by the message "in loving memory", during the 17th minute. A memorial service was also held at St James' Park in August - when the Alder Sweeney Memorial Garden was officially unveiled - and the Alder Sweeney Community Award is to be present annually to those who make outstanding contributions to the Tyneside community. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.