UGO TRIBUTE AT DERBY
FANS AND PLAYERS WILL STAGE A MINUTE’S APPLAUSE FOR EHIOGU, WHO HAS SADLY PASSED AWAY
Sunderland and Middlesbrough fans and players will pay tribute to the memory of Ugo Ehiogu at Wednesday’s Tees-Wear derby.
The former England, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa defender tragically passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning after suffering cardiac arrest, aged just 44.
Ehiogu was working as Tottenham Hotspur’s U23 coach and tributes have flooded in from the football world.
Boro are in action at Bournemouth this afternoon and there will be a minute’s applause before kick-off, with players also wearing black armbands.
Sunderland’s trip to the Riverside on Wednesday will be Boro’s first home game since Ehiogu’s passing, and a minute’s applause will be held prior to the game.
There will be a tribute on screens to an outstanding defender, a key part in the club’s historic League Cup win and a highly-rated coach.
Players will wear black armbands during the game.
Sunderland paid tribute to Ehiogu, saying: “The thoughts of everyone at Sunderland AFC are with the family and friends of Ugo Ehiogu and our colleagues at Tottenham Hotspur FC.”
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson paid an emotional tribute to Ehiogu, who signed for Boro in November 2000, with the Teessiders shelling out a then club-record £8million for the defender.
Gibson said: “I’m deeply shocked. Ugo was one of our heroes at Cardiff when the club won its only ever major trophy.
“Ugo and Gareth Southgate were the rock on which Steve McClaren brought the club its best period in its history. He wasn’t just a good footballer, he was a great man.
“It’s so sudden and so shocking, my deepest sympathies go to his family and all who knew him.
“I would regularly bump into Ugo. Football is a small world and he was always warm, friendly and welcoming. All of Middlesbrough Football Club will miss him.”
Knee problems hampered his later career, which took in Leeds, Rangers and Sheffield United prior to his retirement in 2009.
Although Ehiogu eventually moved into coaching, the break from football allowed him to follow his other passion, helping to set up record label Dirty Hit, which boasts the likes of The 1975, Ben Khan, Superfood, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Fossil Collective.
Ehiogu leaves behind his wife Gemma and a son, Obi Jackson. Ehiogu also had a daughter, Jodie.