MH17: One year on
One year ago Newcastle Utd fans Liam Sweeney and John Alder were on a flight which was shot down over eastern Ukraine killing all 298 people on board. It was a tragedy which united the region in shock and grief.
Families and friends of Newcastle 'superfans' gather at stadium one year on
Friends and the families of two football superfans who died in the MH17 disaster will gather at the stadium where they spent some of their happiest times.
John Alder, 63, and Liam Sweeney, 28, were friends who were travelling to New Zealand to watch their much loved team play in a pre-season tour when they were killed one year ago.
The club built a memorial outside St James' Park for the fans whose memories have been kept alive by fans applauding in the 17th minute of every game.
Liam's father Barry travelled to Holland this week to meet other bereaved families.
Mr Alder's family will also be at the memorial. He had had missed one Newcastle match in 40 years and was the first to person buy a Platinum Club membership at the stadium.
An anonymous friend has pledged £5,000 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to take over the bond which gives fans enhanced membership.
Sir Bobby's widow Lady Elsie joined her at John's seat in St James' Park ahead of the memorial, and said: "It's impossible to understand what John and Liam's family and friends have been through in the past year."
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Memorial match held for MH17 victims
John Alder and Liam Sweeney were killed when their plane was brought down over Ukraine. They were remembered at a special football match.
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MH17: How a tragedy brought rivals together
A year ago, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, including two NUFC fans.
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MH17: One year on
Looking back at events that followed the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine, in which two NUFC fans were killed.