A tribute has been paid to Michael Newberry, a former Newcastle United academy player who died on his 27th birthday, with his older brother saying: “My world has shattered.”
After playing a Boxing Day football match for his last club Cliftonville, Michael suddenly died in Newcastle on December 30. He has since been honoured by his former clubs, with Newcastle United, and Northern Irish teams Cliftonville and Linfield offering condolences.
The footballer joined NUFC’s academy from Red House Farm JFC, based in Gosforth, and he won the Wor Jackie Trophy in 2016, marking him as a top prospect. Despite this, he never made an appearance for the senior side, moving to play for clubs in Iceland and Northern Ireland.
Now, his brother Adrian Salem has shared a loving tribute, saying: “I’m eight years older than Michael, so it always felt like he looked up to me and the example that I set growing up. We were always together even though we didn’t grow up living in the same house, and we have always been really close.
“Michael always had a football around him, and he loved Newcastle United, which had been bred into him from a very young age. I joined the army at 17, which Michael took inspiration from, and we used to train together at Gateshead Stadium, I’d help him with football and he’d help me with my boxing.
(L-R) Michael Newberry with his brother Adrian Salem, when Michael was playing for Red House Farm JFC in Gosforth
(Image: Adrian Salem)
“He was always so great to me, as I got to meet Sean Longstaff, who Michael played with at youth level, as well as Kevin Keegan. He went from a boy to a man at Newcastle, and we were over the moon and bursting with pride when he represented Northern Ireland under-19s, I just couldn’t be a prouder big brother.”
Speaking about his heartbreak at Michael’s passing, an emotional Adrian continued: “I’ve jut bought a house in Cramlington, so I’ve been doing that up, so my phone had been off, and when I got the call, everything turned upside down. My world has shattered and it just hurts so much, I would do anything to see him again.
“It has been overwhelming to see just how loved Michael was, and the support on the GoFundMe page has shown how popular of a footballer and person he was. He left Linfield for their rivals Cliftonville, but everyone still loved him, and that’s why I want to make sure he gets a proper send off.”
The GoFundMe page has been set up for Michael’s grief-stricken family, to help them pay for the funeral costs, and more than £8,000 has already been donated. To send some money, visit the fundraising page for Michael Newberry here.