Pavel is a Geordie!

RIP Pav Sad news has been released regarding former United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek who has sadly passed away.

The 47-year-old collapsed while out running when in his native Czech Republic shortly before Christmas and has been in a medically induced coma ever since.

Capped 49 times for his country, Pavel's career took in stints at Banik Ostrava, Sheffield Wednesday, Brescia, Cosenza, Portsmouth and West Ham but it is his time with Newcastle United, where he spent the bulk of his professional career, which will be mostly remembered. Two stints at St James' Park yielded a total of 152 appearances starting in the Second Division under Jim Smith back in 1991 and ending with Kenny Dalglish in 1998 taking in the rollercoaster ride that was 'the Entertainers' era with Kevin Keegan.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those closest to Pavel and I can only hope that we raise the roof in tribute to him at our next match.

RIP Pav.