Alan Pardew dedicates season to John Alder, Liam Sweeney

Alan Pardew has urged Newcastle United to have a "successful season" in memory of fans John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who died in last week's Malaysia Airlines crash in Ukraine.

The pair were travelling to support the club on their pre-season tour in New Zealand.

"None of us would be sat here without the fans. Owners and managers come and go, as do players, but the fans are always there," the Daily Star quotes the manager as saying.

"These two guys in particular, to go to the lengths that they did to get out here has brought home just how important supporters are to us. Sometimes when you lose lives in that manner, it puts into context what we do.

"This season we want to give their families something to remember them by, by having a successful season. We have to remember these guys in the right manner because it does mean a lot to us. Their tragic loss has hurt the group."

Newcastle beat Sydney FC 4-0 in their opening pre-season friendly earlier today.