Both teams paid tribute to their legendary player on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. In the warm-up, players from both sides wore the late star's number on the back of their shirts. A centre circle mosaic made up of more than 500 shirts left outside the stadium following his death was unfurled in the centre circle minutes later.

A tribute video was then played on the big screen before supporters' group Wor Flags unveiled a huge display involving every seat in the ground. The name was spelt out in the Leazes End, there was a massive tifo in the East Stand, and in the other ground, there was a memorable quote from the most transformational figure in the club's history. The teams and fans then joined together in an emotional minute's applause before the match as the chant rang out from the stands.