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Malaysia Airline crash: Newcastle fans on passenger list Malaysia Airline crash: Newcastle fans on passenger list
(about 1 hour later)
Two Newcastle United fans travelling to the club's pre-season tour were among those on board a flight that crashed in Ukraine. Two Newcastle United fans going to the club's pre-season tour were on a flight that crashed in Ukraine.
John Alder, thought to be in his 60s, and Liam Sweeney, 28, were on the passenger list for flight MH17, Malaysia Airlines confirmed. John Alder and Liam Sweeney, 28, were on the passenger list for flight MH17, Malaysia Airlines confirmed.
The Boeing 777 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed on Thursday with 298 people on board.The Boeing 777 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed on Thursday with 298 people on board.
Newcastle United and manager Alan Pardew have paid tribute to the fans. Newcastle United and manager Alan Pardew have paid tribute to the fans. The names of other British people on the flight are starting to emerge.
The names of other Britons who were believed to be travelling on the flight are starting to emerge.
They include Ben Pocock, from Bristol, who was studying at Loughborough University, and Richard Mayne, a Leeds University student from Leicestershire.They include Ben Pocock, from Bristol, who was studying at Loughborough University, and Richard Mayne, a Leeds University student from Leicestershire.
Flight MH17 came down between Krasni Luch, in Luhansk region, and Shakhtarsk in the neighbouring region of Donetsk - 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border. Flight MH17 came down 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border.
The two Newcastle fans were travelling to New Zealand to see their team play. The two fans were travelling to New Zealand to see their team play.
Liam Sweeney's father, Barry, described his son as a "tremendous bloke".Liam Sweeney's father, Barry, described his son as a "tremendous bloke".
He said: "Football was his life, it was all he talked about.He said: "Football was his life, it was all he talked about.
"I'd rather it was me sitting on that plane than him because he was only 28. "I'd rather it was me sitting on that plane than him because he was only 28."
"I could have gone over [to Amsterdam] but my passport ran out a couple of years ago and the wife can't get away because she's terminally ill. Mr Sweeney said he was "bit hurt" to have had his worst fears confirmed on the NUFC website, after failing to get through on the emergency lines.
"And what are you going to be able to do there that you can't do here? "I could have gone over [to Amsterdam] but my passport ran out a couple of years ago and the wife can't get away because she's terminally ill," he said.
"I'm thinking of going to St James' Park later to have a look around. "And are you just going to be there with people not knowing any more than they do here?
"I'm thinking of going to St James' Park later to have a look around and be a proud dad.
"I wish I'd been on the flight with him, we could have had a drink together.""I wish I'd been on the flight with him, we could have had a drink together."
'Terrible news'
Newcastle's managing director Lee Charnley described the news as "devastating".Newcastle's managing director Lee Charnley described the news as "devastating".
'Deeply shocked'
He said: "Both men were dedicated supporters of our club and were known to thousands of fans and staff alike.He said: "Both men were dedicated supporters of our club and were known to thousands of fans and staff alike.
"On behalf of everyone at Newcastle United we send our deepest condolences to John and Liam's families and friends.""On behalf of everyone at Newcastle United we send our deepest condolences to John and Liam's families and friends."
Alan Pardew said: "Myself and all the players are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news.Alan Pardew said: "Myself and all the players are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news.
"We all knew how passionately John and Liam supported the team and the club."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.""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."
From St James' Park: Chris Conway, BBC Newcastle The club said it would dedicate an area surrounding the Sir Bobby Robson statue for fans to pay their respects to both men.
I am standing here next to the Sir Bobby Robson statue at St James' Park and already fans are beginning to arrive, keen to pay tribute to John and Liam. The manager and players will wear black armbands for both their games against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix.
The area next to Sir Bobby is the area where the club say supporters can come and pay their respects.
At Sir Bobby's feet there are two wreaths with messages of sympathy, along with two black and white Newcastle United shirts bearing the surnames of the two men.
There are also bouquets of flowers which have been placed by those who knew the two men.
The club said it would dedicate an area surrounding the Sir Bobby Robson statue for fans to pay their respects to both men, and the manager and players will wear black armbands for both their games against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix.
The two sides in Ukraine's civil conflict have accused each other of shooting the jet down with a missile.
A spokesman for Malaysia Airlines confirmed both Newcastle fans were on the passenger list for the flight.A spokesman for Malaysia Airlines confirmed both Newcastle fans were on the passenger list for the flight.
The company said that of the passengers' nationalities identified so far, 154 were Dutch, 27 were Australian and 45 were Malaysian, including 15 crew. As well as nine from the UK, there were also passengers from the Netherlands, Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada.
As well as nine from the UK, there were passengers from Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada, he added.
'A tragedy'
Newcastle United said Mr Alder 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.Newcastle United said Mr Alder 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.
His neighbour, Margaret Bambra, 66, said she had known him for about 40 years.His neighbour, Margaret Bambra, 66, said she had known him for about 40 years.
She said: "He was a lovely guy, never bothering anyone. He went to every game, he never missed a match. He was Newcastle mad."She said: "He was a lovely guy, never bothering anyone. He went to every game, he never missed a match. He was Newcastle mad."
Fans' website NUFC.com said: "We're desperately sad to report that they were John Alder and Liam Sweeney.Fans' website NUFC.com said: "We're desperately sad to report that they were John Alder and Liam Sweeney.
"Both were well known to away followers, particularly John, whose usual matchday attire led to the affectionate nickname of 'The Undertaker'. "Both were well known to away followers, particularly John, whose usual match-day attire led to the affectionate nickname of 'The Undertaker'.
"Both were in attendance at Oldham on Tuesday, doing what they loved. Our thoughts are with their friends, families and the many fans who knew them by sight.""Both were in attendance at Oldham on Tuesday, doing what they loved. Our thoughts are with their friends, families and the many fans who knew them by sight."
Fanzine The Mag, said: "It is a tragedy though for all Newcastle fans and we hope everybody, whether they knew them or not, gives a minute to think about their loss, as well as all of those other people who tragically lost their lives on that flight."Fanzine The Mag, said: "It is a tragedy though for all Newcastle fans and we hope everybody, whether they knew them or not, gives a minute to think about their loss, as well as all of those other people who tragically lost their lives on that flight."
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into what happened.Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into what happened.
He said: "Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief."He said: "Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief."