Football fans urged to wear their colours at funeral of South Shields NUFC superfan Cliffy

Cliffy Ahmed’s funeral will be held next Wednesday at South Shields Crematorium at 3pm.

The 57–year–old had been to see Newcastle take on Manchester United last Tuesday and went for a drink in Nine Bar - behind the Gallowgate End, at St James’s Park, after the 3-3 draw.

But after leaving the bar to make his way home, Cliffy, from West Holborn, South Shields, suffered a cardiac arrest and was later found lying close to the Strawberry pub, just yards from his beloved St James’s Park.

He was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where he died last Wednesday.

His family had initially intended a quiet send off for Cliffy - but have been left amazed by the amount of messages from well wishers.

A family spokesman said: “We have been totally overwhelmed by the messages we’ve received for Cliffy, we had intended on a simple service, but that’s been taken out of our hands now.

“It would be nice if people wore football shirts to the funeral, it would be fitting as Cliffy always had his on.”

An online fundraising account set by friends Louise Tebble and partner Chris Wood, from Law Top, South Shields, has now reached £1,219.

The cash is to help with the funeral costs.

The family spokesman said: “It’s been lovely so many people have donated.”

To donate, visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/chris-wood-5.