There were some emotional scenes at St. James’ Park today, as John Alder and LIam Sweeney were honored with a minute’s applause before the game started today and the two captains – Fab Coloccini and Vincent Kompany in addition to Jimmy Montgomery representing Sunderland – walked to the center circle with family members.
One minute silence in honor of John Alder and Liam Sweeney
The minute’s silence was observed immaculately by the 50,000 St. James’ Park, who then broke out into spontaneous applause at the end of the tribute.
And the family members were greeted with great applause as they walked onto the pitch and then laid flowers in the center circle.
We were pleased the scenes were shown live on TV before the game, and in the US NBC corrëspondent Rebecca Lowe had this to sat at the end of the stirring tribute:
¨Newcastle United are a very tightly knit club indeed.¨
Liam’s father Barrie and mother Angela were accompanied by Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini, and former Sunderland goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery, who laid a wreath of red and white flowers on behalf of the compassionate Sunderland fans – who have shown complete class since John and Liam were tragically killed.
And then in the 17th minute of the game, fans broke out again in spontaneous applause, joined by the City fans to mark the date – July 17th – and the flight number MH17 – of the downed plane.
In his program note Alan Pardew said the following:
“We lost two of our most loyal supporters in John Alder and Liam Sweeney last month, and I know everyone will join myself and all in our dressing room in endorsing the efforts the club have made and are continuing to make to ensure their memories will live on. They will not be forgotten by any of us.
“The same goes for Newcastle University students Aidan Brunger and Neil Dalton, who lost their lives in a horrible incident in Borneo.””Aidan spent some time at our training ground last season and a number of staff got to know him, so it was especially difficult news to digest. Our condolences go to the families of all four lost souls.”
Aidan Brunger and Neil Dalton were stabbed to death in an incident in Borneo.
Here is how the tribute it has been reported by NBC – here in the US – with the headline:
¨St. James Park oozes class as Newcastle recognizes fallen fans¨
and the link also includes video.
Newcastle United have shown great class, as have Sunderland and their fans- in the way they have honored our fallen fans.
May they all rest in peace.
19 comments so far
mattyNUFC
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:50 PM
Comment #1Belfast
let’s wait and see on Riviere when he’s not playing city up top completely by his lonesome.
Remy was never a 15-20 goal striker in france. In fact he only had 15 one season. He’s incredibly faster than Remy and does so much more for the team so let’s see against villa and palace how he is
Toon Tang
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:51 PM
Comment #2Bam, indeed you’re right mate, I think if we were to continue playing the way we did for large parts of todays game, we will definitely beat the teams that are around our level and maybe take a few bigger scalps as well.
Markaccus
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:51 PM
Comment #3Pardew giving his usual tirsome cack re the transfer window. Not blaming him for todays defeat but i wish he would stop towing the company line and grow some testicles.
Big Pappa Cissé
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:53 PM
Comment #4Even Swansea’s strike force puts ours to shame
Jail for Ashley
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:55 PM
Comment #5If I turned up at a shipyard on a Monday morning and started trying to weld something, it wouldn’t be long before somebody questioned my qualifications, how is Obertron getting away with it.
mindshaft
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:57 PM
Comment #6Thought we played fairly well today but quality finishing costs a lot of money and that was the main difference between the teams
New boys did well, Colo and Willo did okay at the back
Janmatt is going to take some time to get up to speed and both goals were from his side.
Cabella has a lot of skill and Riviere needs to calm down a bit in front of goal
Hart didn’t have a save to make
toonking
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:58 PM
Comment #7i think myself we are probably not going to see another signing this window because we see it with spurs and also with QPR, too many signing in one window can make things difficult, already we have already seen the team likely to have 5 new players in the starting 11, imagine we had a team which had only 2 players from last year still playing as a starter, it would be so confusing and i can see a very poor start happening, this is why ashley was stupid to have not bought any player in the last few windows.
if things go to plan this season will be about cabbella dejong colback janneet and rivere all fitting into the team.
maybe january could be the time for mbiwa and hadaira to start featuring more and next summer we see the back of colo saylor HBA marvo and obatan and we see there replacements coming in that summer, well atleast that is what i hope.
Belfast
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:58 PM
Comment #8I like him Matty, I’ve already said that. He’ll be a useful player.
He’s just not in the same bracket as Remy for me.
I based that opinion over a while mate, just not today like. Lol
Markaccus
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:59 PM
Comment #9Jail
Haha. Well put. I think squidwards pre season had earned him an appearance in Pardews eyes, but he reverted to being utterly useless, so with any luck thats the last we will see of him. Ferreyra in his place next game imo. Or if ferry starts, goofy on the bench.
gonufc (Newcastle United Sports Direct Advertising Club)
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Comment #10We can’t really judge things considering we were playing Citeh, but we were good!
Really looking forward to Siem De Jong coming in and just wish HBA would come in on the other wing from Cabella. That would be a serious trio!
Anyone else impressed by Colback’s set pieces? They actually looked MUCH better than Cabaye’s from out wide. He always floated them in.
toon kk
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:03 PM
Comment #11A top striker is a must. We didn’t play badly, we had a good game but were beaten by a better team.
Mid table is realistic without too many injuries.
Ketsbaia9
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:04 PM
Comment #12I think Colback did alright. His passing and crossing was ok. He wants to win. Janmaat wasn’t great but he’s a decent player. Looked slow in the second half. Ayoze Perez looks nippy. Looking forward to seeing Chucky. We need Remy, Grenier and Alderweireld urgently.
Ketsbaia9
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:04 PM
Comment #13Confident were better than Man Utd though.
Slank
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:05 PM
Comment #14REPOST
My take on the match which I didn’t expect us to win but was delighted by the commitment from all the players.
Krul – Was fine but I wish he was quicker in getting the team moving.
Janmaat – Was alright but will play better.
Willo – Solid. Very commanding.
Colo – Was good but has his moments.
Dummitt – Was ok but isn’t as good as Haidara going forward.
Anita – Very good. Very tidy. Kept things moving.
Colback – Outstanding.
Sissoko – Very good. Great surging runs.
Cabella – Excellent. Will create loads of chances and score goals.
Gouffran – Excellent. Worked really hard.
Riviere – Excellent. Very powerful. Had first night nerves. Will improve. Centre backs will know they have been in a match after marking him. Fast, mobile and physical.
Obertan – Quiet initially but became effective.
Arons – Very good introduction albeit nervous.
Perez – Excellent. Pleasantly surprised me.
Hopefully Tiote and De Jong will be back for Villa. Given how well Colback played I think De Jong will be the player we need the most.
The team need to work on getting up to support Riviere as he looks like he can hold the ball and play in others.
We have a very good track record against Villa and I expect us to win convincingly. Also against Palace.
Toon1978
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:05 PM
Comment #15Good start for Pards, bottom of the league with not a shot on goal hehe sorry lads. That aside, we are excellent in midfield and once SDJ returns we will be even better. It’s a shame the club don’t seem to want to replace Remy. A striker and a CB and we will have the team to compete for Europe.
mindshaft
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:08 PM
Comment #16Sllank – agree with your player ratings
toonking
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:10 PM
Comment #17JFA
i think it’s got something to do with the pace he has got really, it does seem strange but then again playing sissoko out wide is poor management, HBA has caused lots of trouble at the club, jonas seems to be in a spot where he can’t get games and marvo i think is on loan.
really i think obatan is the only wide man considered a wide player.
all i can say myself but is the sooner we get rid of marvo, HBA obatan and jonas the better because i think a striker and CB is more important really so until we can get rid of them four we are left with cabbella sissoko and gouffran as the main width.
brklyngeordie
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:28 PM
Comment #18First off hearts go out to the family of John and Liam, watched on tv and couldn’t help but get emotional well done to the club and fans in attendance.
Now about the game and who played well and who did not..
For me most did well only a few stood out and they were Cabella who was class and Colback did well and thought set pieces were good and felt Goofy should have scored on that corner. These were the only two who were up to par for me.
Now for the bad, Dummet was terrible very slow predictable with ball at feet often played backwards missed his chance with header from corner would have Haidara over him next game but that said really need Santon back ASAP.
Sissoko I thought was terrible idk who could say otherwise his passing is terrible he hits it way to hard to teammates close to him has no movement off the ball felt many times he was crowding Cabella for no reason and offered no runs for him, his shot at end showed his lack of composure and class and more worrying for mee is how lacking he is in aerial threat for man his size feel he does not get most out of his physical size im really not opposed to him being dropped.
Colo for me was at fault for goal no reason for him to come all the way over and leaved miidle wide open for what was a cheeky back heel by Dzeko and on second goal ok did decent on Aguero who is tough but where did he go after initial shot how did Aguero get off floor and score on rebound before he could recover?
That said the Perez and Aarons was nice to see them get a run out..Overall not bad see better days ahead for us
Sav
Aug 17, 2014 at 7:49 PM
Comment #19Yes, the new boys did well. But had we signed someone of Loic Remy’s calibre, it might have been a different result. That is what you pay big money ( or not) for.