Newcastle United's tribute to flight MH17 victims backed by council

Newcastle United have teamed up with the local council to honour the memory of two supporters who passed away in the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash in July.

Liam Sweeney and John Alder were travelling to watch the Magpies play in their pre-season tour in New Zealand when their flight was shot down in Ukraine.

As a tribute to the pair, the Newcastle City Council have passed a motion supporting the Premier League club's memorial garden and new community award, according to The Chronicle.

Both fans were widely known by their fellow supporters, as well as manager Alan Pardew before their tragic deaths.