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Final farewells were paid to Liam Sweeney as his family said goodbye to their “gentle giant” son.

Grieving relatives were joined by representatives from Newcastle United, including manager Alan Pardew who, following the service, hugged the 28-year-old’s dad Barry to offer his support.

Devoted Toon fan Liam was killed alongside John Alder, 63, on board doomed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 as they travelled to New Zealand to watch Newcastle play in pre-season friendly games.

And, during an emotional funeral at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, in Newcastle, a heart-wrenching tribute from one of Liam’s secondary school teachers, testified the Morrison’s worker’s love for his team.

The teacher, known only as the Martin, said that when he visited the store, in Killingworth, North Tyneside, Liam would keep him updated with how Newcastle were playing and the latest transfer speculation in the fruit and veg aisle.

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During the service, tributes were also paid to John, of Deckham, Gateshead, whose body is yet to be found.

Hundreds of mourners packed the Cathedral, on Clayton Street West, to pay their final respects, including Magpies club captain Fabricio Coloccini, director Lee Charnley and former Newcastle player Bob Moncur.

Footballing rivalries were also set aside as Micky Horswill, Sunderland’s 1970s FA Cup hero also attended.

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Dozens of onlookers lined the Cathedral during the service, and as the funeral cortège arrived, the streets fell silent while Liam’s family prepared to say their final farewell to a hugely popular son.

His coffin was carried by pallbearers followed closely by his father Barry, mum Angela, step-mum Lesley and his siblings before the sound of Jerusalem was heard echoing from St Mary’s.

Flowers were kept to club colours except a yellow wreath sent in tribute by Malaysia Airlines, who operated the doomed flight MH17.

Fellow fans could be spotted wearing Newcastle United shirts and one Clayton Street business hung a banner reading ‘RIP Liam Sweeney’ in tribute.

A number of mourners made joint tributes to Liam and John.

During the service a poem was read out by Liam’s close friends Malcolm Pegg and Amanda-Jade Fowler, which ended with the words: “Sleep tight now lads with pride on you faces,

“And teach the angels the Blaydon Races,

“For this sad day and through the night,

“Let Heaven’s gates be black and white.”

The family also thanked everyone for their support, including the club and paid their respect to John’s family.

Mourners, some wearing RIP badges baring Liam’s picture and the Newcastle United crest, were led from the Cathedral and Pardew was also seen shaking hands with other relatives and Canon Robert Spence and Father Dermott Donnelly, Dec’s brother, who led the service.

As the cortège prepared to leave, taking Liam to St James’ Park for one last visit before heading to the crematorium, an emotional fan, wearing full Newcastle kit, could be seen kissing the hearse as a final tribute.

Collections from the service will be donated to help children in the North East.

Liam’s wake was held at the Milburn Suite at St James’ Park.

He was one of the first passengers to be formally identified and last week his grieving family were able to bring him home.

On Sunday family members of both John and Liam laid flowers in the centre circle of the ground and a minute’s silence was held before the home game against Manchester City kicked off.

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 that 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’.”