Liam Smith's funeral saw a sea of red and white take over Saltwell Crematorium
Liam Smith's funeral saw a sea of red and white take over Saltwell Crematorium (Image: Simon Greener/Newcastle Chronicle)
Even the funeral directors had red and white ties at the moving Sunderland AFC-themed funeral for diehard fan Liam Smith, 27, who died suddenly in August. The Dunston painter and decorator - known to his loved ones as 'Blue' - was a Mackem in Dunston, and as such always surrounded by Newcastle United fans.
But his family and his mates ditched their black and white stripes for red and white at a poignant funeral service which took place on August 22 at Saltwell Crematorium in Gateshead. Liam's funeral was distinctly SAFC in tone - with the celebrant sharing the love and memories Liam's family and friends had for him.
Hundreds turned out for the service, packing out the chapel and spilling out into the grounds at the crematorium - but everyone was moved by the music chosen - including Elton John's I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, along with some very recognisable SAFC-themed tunes fresh from the Stadium of Light.
The celebrant shared tributes including from Liam's parents Kim and Colin and his brothers Karl and Christopher. She said: "He was a cheeky Charlie! One of a kind, totally unique. They broke the mould when Liam came into the world."
She continued: "He would do anything for anyone. His heart was always in the right place. He was a little diamond." The service also included a moving poem about a "lad and his mam".
The service included wry references to how, wherever Liam is now, he would have found it hilarious to see all of his NUFC supporting friends and family decked out in red and white. The family asked for any donations in his memory to be made to charity If U Care Share.
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Hundreds of family and friends decked out in Liam Smith's favourite colours attending his funeral at Saltwell Crematorium
Hundreds of family and friends decked out in Liam Smith's favourite colours attending his funeral at Saltwell Crematorium
Liam Smith's funeral saw a sea of red and white take over Saltwell Crematorium
Liam Smith's SAFC-themed funeral at Saltwell Crematorium