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The first British victim to be identified from the wreckage of Flight MH17 was laid to rest today - with the scarf and shirt of his beloved football team.

Liam Sweeney, 28, was on the way to see his heroes compete in a pre-season tournament in New Zealand with fellow Newcastle United ‘super-fan’ John Alder, 63, when the Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down over the Ukraine.

His funeral was attended by United boss Alan Pardew and captain Fabricio Coloccini at the city’s St Mary’s Cathedral.

Around 500 mourners and fans turned out to pay their respects to supermarket worker Liam - described as a ‘gentle giant’ who would turn the gates of heaven ‘black and white’.

Father Dermot Donnelly, the main celebrant at the service, said: “The scarf and shirt on his coffin are a symbol of the commitment to his favourite team. He will have eternal rest and rise to glory.”

Canon Robert Spence told the packed congregation how Liam would stop one of his former teachers at the Morrisons supermarket in Killingworth, North Tyneside where he worked to give him regular updates on United over the ‘fruit and veg’ aisle.

He went on: “His teachers at St Cuthbert’s High School in Newcastle remember him as a gentle boy who became a gentle giant of a man.

“It took him a long time to call his teacher ‘Martin’ rather than ‘Sir’ when he left.

“His passion for all things related to Newcastle United was evident in their meetings over the years, and he would hear ‘hallo sir’ over the fruit and veg section at Morrisons.

“He knew he would get the full update on the team, their performances on the pitch and all the transfer speculation.”

(Image: PA)

He added Liam had a ‘eclectic’ musical taste which took in everything from classical to rock music by bands such as Metallica, Meatloaf and Crazy Nights, and he also loved literature.

His trip to New Zealand was in part inspired by the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and he enjoyed everything from Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and George Orwell’s Animal Farm to American TV show The Simpsons.

In death, he and John Alder had ‘brought together’ fans of arch rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Canon Spence added: “Liam deserves his place in Geordie mythology, and it is fitting that his coffin came into the cathedral to the strains of ‘Local Hero’.”

Liam’s friends Malcolm Pegg and Amanda-Jade Fowler read the poem ‘Loyal to the End’, which described him as among the nation’s most loyal football fans.

Following the moving 45-minute service, Liam’s parents Barry and Lesley shook hands and were embraced by Pardew, Coloccini and loved ones.

Their son’s coffin - surrounded by floral tributes in black and white to a loving son, brother and uncle - made one last trip to St James’ Park on its final journey.

Cherished family photos on the the order of service showed Liam when he was a boy and in his United kit.

(Image: Getty)

Liam, of Newcastle, and John, of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, were killed when their flight came down in Ukraine on July 17. John’s body has still not been identified, and prayers were said for him at the service.

Prince Charles has written to both families to express his sympathy following the “unimaginable tragedy”. All 298 people on board the plane died.