A minute’s applause will be held prior to kick off on Wednesday evening when Sunderland take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, in tribute to Ugo Ehiogu, who’s sudden passing earlier today has stunned the world of football.
The 44-year-old former Middlesbrough and England defender spent seven years on Teesside from 2000-2007 and the two North East clubs will come together to remember him ahead of their Premier League fixture.
Ehiogu had numerous friends amongst the players and staff at the Stadium of Light. First team coach Robbie Stockdale and midfielder Lee Cattermole both played alongside the towering defender during their careers at Middlesbrough.
The pair have paid heartfelt tributes to a player who was held in the highest regard by his colleagues and all who knew him.
Robbie said: “First and foremost, my thoughts are with Ugo’s family at this desperately sad time.
“Ugo made it very easy to play football alongside him and he certainly made me a better player. He was a fantastic man, both on and off the pitch and we became good friends, more so as we both embarked on our respective coaching careers.
“For football to lose someone so young and talented is simply devastating. I and all who knew Ugo will remember him not only as a great footballer, but a wonderful person.”
Lee Cattermole added: “It’s such sad and shocking news and my thoughts and those of everyone here at Sunderland, are with Ugo’s family and his many friends and colleagues in football.”
“I played alongside him when I made my Boro debut, aged 17. The team all signed my shirt after the game, but Ugo took the time to write a personal message, which always sticks in my mind – that was the kind of character he was. He was a gentle giant, a great footballer, but more importantly a great man and his passing is a huge loss to football.
"We had a strong group of young players at the time and there was no one better to learn from than Ugo."