Tributes have been paid to a former Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC senior executive who has died at the age of 67.
As well as NUFC and Sunderland, Grahame McDonnell, of Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, held senior executive roles at Darlington and Gateshead Football Clubs.
He died peacefully at home on January 23 with his wife Judy by his side.
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Grahame started his career at Sunderland AFC as an admin clerk, progressing to assistant commercial manager in 1977 before leaving the club in 1983 to take up the role of commercial manager at Newcastle United.
In 1992, he returned to Sunderland AFC as commercial manager and was later promoted to commercial director in 1995.
He played a major role in the development of the Stadium of Light as head of the project management team.
In 2007, Grahame was appointed commercial director of Darlington FC where, amongst other achievements, he organised the Elton John Concert, one of the biggest ever events to be held in Darlington.
Then in 2010, he joined Gateshead FC as commercial director where he was part of the team which saw the club progress to the National League play off final at Wembley in 2014. He retired in 2017.
Paying tribute, Judy said Grahame was passionate about football and played a crucial part at major North East clubs for more than 40 years.
She added: "He had time for everybody and had a cheeky smile. He didn't have a bad word to say about anyone."
Grahame was born in Sunderland to parents William and Myra.
He is survived by his wife, his brother Colin and two children, Paul and Ashleigh, both from his previous marriage.
