Sunderland fans honour rivals killed on MH17

Sunderland and Newcastle are bitter rivals on the football field but off it they have united in grief to honour the two football fans who lost their lives in the terrible Malaysia Airline disaster.

John Alder and Liam Sweeney were on their way to New Zealand to watch their beloved Newcastle team on their pre-season tour.

They were two of the 298 people who died when their plane was shot down over the Ukraine.

Sunderland fans decided they wanted to send a floral tribute to their rival team as a gesture of condolence and opened a donations page on crowdfunding website GoFundMe.

The statement begun:

“We may be Sunderland fans, who traditionally have deep rivalry with Newcastle, but there are things far more important than any football games.”

Their stated aim was to raise £100 for a floral tribute but the current amount donated is more than £24,000 and rising fast. The fans have said that excess money will be donated to charity.

“The incredibly sad news that has emerged this week about two Newcastle fans who have passed has left us all shocked and deeply saddened. Donating here will help pay for a floral tribute to those fans and to unity between the two clubs. Any extra money will be donated to a charity.”