Liam Smith, who was known as 'Blue', was a devoted Sunderland AFC fan
Sunderland fan Liam Smith from Dunston who has passed away at the age of 27
Sunderland fan Liam Smith from Dunston who has passed away at the age of 27
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Devoted Sunderland fans Liam Smith became known as his community's 'only Mackem'. Growing up in Dunston, Gateshead, the painter and decorator spent his life surrounded by black and white, but remained fiercely loyal to his beloved Black Cats.
And now after the popular lad's sudden death at the age of just 27, his friends and family are preparing to put their football rivalries aside to give Liam the red and white send-off he would have wanted. Even the staunchest of Newcastle United fans have agreed to wear Sunderland's colours for his funeral next week.
And today as she pays tribute to her son, Liam's mum has told ChronicleLive, just how much their gesture and support means to her.
Kim Smith from Dunston, whose son Liam has passed away aged 27
Kim Smith from Dunston, whose son Liam has passed away aged 27
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Kim Smith, said: "Everyone is wearing red and white. It means a lot that everyone is doing that. It's just lovely. It just shows how much he meant to everyone. I think he would have been laughing his head off knowing everyone is wearing red and white.
"All his friends have pulled together I just can't thank them enough. There's no words that can express how I feel."
Liam, grew-up in Dunston and lived with Kim, 58, and his stepdad, Colin Train. He was a loving brother to Karl, 38, and Christopher, 33, and doted on his nephews, Bailey, 11 and one-year-old Ronnie. Liam worked as a self-employed painter and decorator and loved playing darts and going out with his friends.
Kim said her son's football allegiance began when he was a child when his uncle, who lives in Hebburn, encouraged him to support Sunderland. And as he got older he loved the banter with his mates, who were all Toon fans.
Sunderland fan Liam Smith from Dunston who has passed away at the age of 27
Sunderland fan Liam Smith from Dunston who has passed away at the age of 27
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
"His uncle used to say; 'Liam when you are older go Sunderland and I'll get you a ticket," she explained. "He was half-and-half when he was a baby. He used to wear Newcastle tops and then he went all Sunderland and got a season ticket. He was still friends with, Newcastle fans. They just bantered on. Everyone used to take the Mick, it was terrible on Derby Day. He gave as good as he got."
"He was the only Mackem in Dunston. Even on holiday the lads would all have Newcastle tops and he would have his Sunderland top on.
And paying tribute to her son, who was known as 'Blue' to his friends, she added: "He was bubbly, you heard him before you seen him. He used to like going out with his friends. He really was one of the lads, he was always out. He loved his mouth organ, he used to play that all the time."
Kim Smith pictured with sons Chris, Karl and grandson Bailey and Liam's best friends Jamie Hogg and Nathan Turner
Kim Smith pictured with sons Chris, Karl and grandson Bailey and Liam's best friends Jamie Hogg and Nathan Turner
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Kim said: "We were very close I just can't get my head around it that he's not here. He was such a big part of everyone's life.
Liam died unexpectedly at his home on August 2. His funeral will take place at 1pm on Friday, August 22, at Saltwell Crematorium in Gateshead.
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