Middlesbrough pay touching tribute to former star Ugo Ehiogu after his tragic passing last week
Late defender's image dons match programme for Boro's Premier League north east derby against Sunderland
MIDDLESBROUGH paid tribute to the late Ugo Ehiogu on Wednesday as the club’s former hero donned the front of their match programme.
Boro were playing their first home game, a north east derby against Sunderland, since the death of their ex-defender last Friday.
And a number of fans hung shirts up outside the gates of the Riverside to mark the passing of one of their all-time favourites.
Ehiogu, aged 44, tragically passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest at Tottenham‘s training ground.
Throughout his storied career he became a Boro legend as he was part of the side that won the club’s first-ever trophy in 2004.
Under Steve McClaren, he helped them to defeat Bolton 2-1 in the EFL Cup Final.
He played a total of 126 matches for the club, and remains an icon to supporters still.
Boro’s players wore black armbands for Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth.
But this is the first opportunity they have had to pay homage to him at his former Riverside home.
Tributes were held at Wembley Stadium before the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Spurs at the weekend and at Aston Villa prior to their derby clash with Birmingham.
Football fans across the country also paid homage to Ehiogu in similar fashion.
Ehiogu won four caps for England and also played for West Brom, Villa, Leeds, Rangers and Sheffield United before hanging up his boots to begin a coaching career.