There was terrible and tragic news today that former Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote collapsed and died in China during training with his latest club Beijing Enterprises.
This is an unexpected and terrible tragedy with Cheick in the prime of his life at just 30 years of age.
My son Neil called me as I was on my way home from the hospital this afternoon and told me of the shocking news.
Rafa Benitez and Cheick Tiote last year
The Newcastle United club have issued this statement on their web-site:
We are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of Cheick Tiote at the age of just 30.
The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Cheick’s family, friends, teammates and everyone connected with the clubs he represented.
The Ivory Coast midfielder, who made more than 150 appearances for the Magpies between 2010 and 2017, was training with his current club, Bejiing Enterprises, on Monday when he collapsed.
He was taken to hospital but sadly passed away.
Cheick cemented his place in Newcastle folklore with his dramatic equalizer in the 4-4 draw against Arsenal in February 2011.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez had this to say about Cheick’s tragic death:
“It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick’s death.
“In all the time that I have known him, he was a true professional, dedicated and above all, a great man.
“Our hearts go out to his family and friends at such a sad time.”?
With the money Cheick made from football he was able to support most of his family of sisters and brothers and also his own family.
It is still a real shock as we write this.
Cheick played 156 times for Newcastle with only one goal – but it is one of the most dramatic goals ever scored in Newcastle’s long and glorious history.
He also represented Ivory Coast with 52 caps.
Here’s the really classic video of that goal in February, 2011 at home to Arsenal and the commentary from our local commentators at Newcastle who went crazy.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Cheick’s family and friends everywhere.
Cheick Tiote 1986 – 2017 Rest in Peace
81 comments so far
kilcline
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Comment #1R.I.P mate
Average_Contents
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:17 PM
Comment #2RIP the tank.
SPRINGY
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #3At his best for me
https://youtu.be/hvKKMykKlhk
Thump
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Comment #4Absolutely gutted.
May you continue to halve players at the great football pitch in the sky.
archaeomag
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:21 PM
Comment #5RIP -very sad to die aged 30
exiledtoon
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Comment #6Too young ?
WLtoon
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:24 PM
Comment #7Such sad news. R.I.P Cheick
JP...from The Rock
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:26 PM
Comment #8Gutted. Shocked by this tragic news. Gone but never forgotten Cheick the tank, rest in peace 🙁
Lindisfarne
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:36 PM
Comment #9Go on I will say it…..
Were we paid upfront?
Average_Contents
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:47 PM
Comment #10Slightly crass that.
Average_Contents
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Comment #11Actually, it’s disgusting.
Something I’d expect Jeffrey/jib to come out with.
ShirebrookToon
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:49 PM
Comment #12Thoughts and prayers are with Tiotes family. On his day he was a beast and unplayable. RIP tank
Shadow_Shearer
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:53 PM
Comment #13Lets all join prayers for tioti. May God grant him peace, happiness & a high ranking in heaven. Ameen.
geordiesteve520
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:54 PM
Comment #14Has made me sick this, like.
clinath@ed
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Comment #15Just heard the news driving home. Sad, sad news. Been taken far too early. He will always be remembered in our hearts for THAT goal. RIP sir.
Shadow_Shearer
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:58 PM
Comment #16I also remember tioti scored another great goal against man city, but the stupid ref judged goffy to be interfering with play in an offside position. When he wasn’t at all.. It was a beauty of a goal, & it should have been two beauties he scored for us.
Moonraker15
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:59 PM
Comment #17Times reporting we’ve won the race for Abrahams! Is it true?
SPRINGY
Jun 5, 2017 at 6:59 PM
Comment #18Having already said myt bit towards the sad passing of tiote….just like to say that the telegraph reckon we will sign abrahams,there sources have ben told today tgat he has opted for rafa and the toon….. how true…god knows but there ya go.
BenArfa the magician
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Comment #19Tiote in his prime was one of the best defensive midfielders we have had. R’I’P Big man
lukes26
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:08 PM
Comment #20At his peak, he was probably the best purely defensive midfielder newcastle has ever had
I remember he failed a medical last year..and maybe before? I wonder if he & newcastle/other clubs knew of a cardiac problem
Our Toon
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:12 PM
Comment #21Disgusting comment Lindsfarne, expect better from you mate.
Repost from last thread:
So sad to hear the news on tiote, may Allah Grant him jannah. It must be tough for an athlete to train whilst fasting in such conditions like in China, it’s the only logical thing I can think of.
I will always remember him for his combative displays and the wonder goals against Arsenal and the one that should have stood against citeh. RIP brother!!
Ron Knee
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:15 PM
Comment #22The Telegraph article SPRINGY mentioned:-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/06/05/chelsea-prospect-tammy-abraham-set-sign-newcastle-united/
cyprus
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:16 PM
Comment #23Disgusting comment lindisfarne. Why?
RIP big man. Thanks for that goal and the emotion. Once in a life time. Commiserations to your family and everyone you supported.
toonincheek
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:17 PM
Comment #24Such sad news. RIP Chiek.
You will always be remembered.
YoungMag :P
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:18 PM
Comment #25Omg. I can’t believe this. Absolutely shocked!!
R.I.P big man. Thanks for everything.
Munster Mag
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:19 PM
Comment #26RIP Cheick, never forgotten for that Arsenal goal.
toonbrother
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:21 PM
Comment #27omg. this is so painful
JC148
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:26 PM
Comment #28I’d like to lodge a formal complaint to Ed re Lindisfarne’s above comment. Totally unwelcome following the tragic death of anyone at all, let alone a Toon legend in the prime of his life. You should be ashamed of yourself.
welshgeordie9
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:31 PM
Comment #29RIP Cheick, what a warrior he was on the pitch.
Rotonda heights
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:39 PM
Comment #30RIP Cheick. Just can’t believe it.
CAC
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:42 PM
Comment #31So sad. RIP Cheick. Peace to your family.
jezza442
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:47 PM
Comment #32absolutely stunned by the news of tiote’s passing way too soon r.i.p
Tsunki
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:49 PM
Comment #33Not Lindys finest hour but he hasn’t got form like Jib I’m sure he regrets a badly chosen quip.
Mag52
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:54 PM
Comment #34RIP Cheik.
Your memory will live on at NUFC.
Oldgit1
Jun 5, 2017 at 7:57 PM
Comment #35Watching Tiotes goal and celebrations brought tears to my eyes. A wonderful servant of NUFC for seven years. RIP
Pootle2118
Jun 5, 2017 at 8:03 PM
Comment #36Absolute beast of a player on his day and yet, from people I know who have met him, such a kind and gentle man off the pitch. Gone but never forgotten, R.I.P. big man
Pootle2118
Jun 5, 2017 at 8:06 PM
Comment #37On other news, I’ve read that the Semedo transfer is being held up due to Sporting wanting up to a 50% sell on clause inserted! Me thinks this could just be journos bullocks though
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jun 5, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Comment #38Shocking! Schocking News, R.I.P. Cheicke , a legend, gone but not forgotten !
AncientC
Jun 5, 2017 at 8:16 PM
Comment #39“I’d like to lodge a formal complaint to Ed re Lindisfarne’s above comment. Totally unwelcome following the tragic death of anyone at all, let alone a Toon legend in the prime of his life. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Why, are footballers more important than the rest of us?
SPRINGY
Jun 5, 2017 at 8:19 PM
Comment #40Just read that southampton have moved ahead of newcastle with regards to signing semedo and its basically coz newcastle are moving at a snails pace and sitting on there hands…..why is it always so bloody slow to get the transfer done….if we are actually after him like.