ALAN SHEARER led the tributes to former Newcastle keeper Pavel Srnicek, who died on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest while jogging eight days ago.
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| The former England captain Alan Shearer led the tributes to his former Newcastle team-mate |
Srnicek's family took the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life-support machine after brain scans revealed irreversible damage. He was 47.
He was only on Tyneside a fortnight ago to publicise his autobiography, 'Pavel is a Geordie', before flying back to the Czech Republic for Christmas.
The Toon Army had repeatedly chanted Srnicek's name during Boxing Day's match against Everton and at the request of his family, a recording of it was played at his bedside but he never woke from his induced coma.
Within minutes of the tragic news breaking, social media was awash with tributes to the popular keeper, who was a key member of Kevin Keegan's Entertainers side.
Shearer said: "So very, very sad to lose my friend and former team-mate."
Steve Howey said: "He was a big, strong, lovely warm man. Pav's personality was infectious and everybody loved him."
So very, very sad to lose my friend and former teammate @PavelSrnicekUK My thoughts are with his family at this awful time. #NUFC #RIPPavel
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) December 29, 2015
Keeper Steve Harper cited Srnicek as a massive influence on his own career. He tweeted: "A truly beautiful soul has left this world far too early. Thank you so much for everything you did for me, Pav."
Former Toon defender Steve Watson said: "We've truly lost one of our own. Absolute gentleman and a great friend to all."
And another ex-team-mate Darren Peacock said: "He was the life and soul of the dressing room. Bubbly, loud and competitive. Such a nice guy who never had a bad word to say about anyone."
A truly beautiful soul has left this world far too early!! Thank you so much for everything you did for me Pav pic.twitter.com/0nXY6JUGRq
— Stephen Harper (@steveharper37) December 29, 2015
Srnicek's agent Steve Wraith revealed Srnicek was to play a leading role in reuniting the 1996 side to play a charity match 20 years after it came so close to winning the Premier League title.
"My final conversation with him was about getting the Entertainers team back together one more time for charity next year," said Wraith. "We will make that happen and celebrate this great man's life together. Fans and players alike."
Srnicek, who was a goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague, also played for West Ham, Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday but it is at Newcastle, for whom he made 190 appearances, the last two at the age of 38 during a second spell with the club, where he will be most fondly remembered.
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