THE seat from which Newcastle United supporter John Alder watched his heroes play is to be taken on by his friends as a permanent tribute to the devoted fan.

Today (FRI) marks the first anniversary of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 tragedy when the passenger jet was brought down in a suspected missile attack over Ukraine.

Among the 298 killed were Magpies’ fans Liam Sweeney, 28 from Newcastle, and John Alder, 63 from Gateshead, who were travelling to New Zealand to watch the team play in a pre-season friendly.

Now John Alder’s seat at St James’ Park is to be used by his friends after an anonymous donor gave £5,000 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to take over John’s Platinum Club Bond and ensure his seat will be filled by fans who knew him.

His sister Joyce Robbins, from Darlington, said: “John was the very first Platinum Club Member, which says a lot about how devoted he was to Newcastle United.

“My brother was an extremely private man and he would have been so uncomfortable with all the publicity about him in the last year.

“I think he’d be happy to know that his seat at St James’ was being used though. And especially that it’s being used by people he knew from going to the football.

“It’s a very personal way for his friends to pay tribute to him and I think he might like that.”

The family said they do not expect regular matchday tributes with 17th minute applause to continue into the new season.

Joyce said: “We can’t believe that’s gone on for an entire season and really appreciate the thought.

“It’s not something we imagine will continue into this season, certainly not all around the ground, and I’m sure John of all people would be most happy if fans were concentrating on football and supporting his team.”

Last week, Liam Sweeney’s father Barry presented £6,150 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, raised at the Morrisons store in Killingworth where his son worked for 12 years.

Fans of Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United joined forces to contribute to a fund in their memory, which raised £33,000 in a year.

Joyce said: “The last year has been a rollercoaster really.

“It’s been very difficult, and extremely painful at times, but we’ve had fantastic support from so many people, from football fans, Newcastle United, and so many strangers, too many to name”.

Lady Elsie Robson said: “It’s impossible to understand what John and Liam’s family and friends have been through in the past year.

“To lose someone you love is desperately hard but to lose someone in such cruel circumstances is unimaginable.

“The money raised will go on to help other people in their time of great need and we hope both John and Liam would share their families’ pride at that.”