Newcastle United fans to mark Wembley visit with sombre minute in bid to bring teenager killer to justice

Newcastle United fans are being urged to take part in a minute-long clap during the Carabao Cup final in memory of Gordon Gault, a 14-year-old boy who died after a stabbing in Elswick last year.

Northumbria Police have now arrested 20 people after the teenager died in November, which includes 18 teenagers aged 15 to 18 and two men in their 20s, but all have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Gordon was seriously injured in the Westmorland Road area of Newcastle at around 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 9 and sadly lost his life after spending six days in hospital, on Tuesday, November 15.

Newcastle United fans to remember ‘diamond of a boy’

Friends and family of Gordon have come together to plan the clap in the 14th minute during the cup final at Wembley, both to remember the 'diamond of a boy' and as an appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

Gordon's mother Dionne Barrett has been outspoken in pleading for teenagers to drop knives and for anyone who may be able to help with the investigation into her son's tragic death to help police.

Ms Barrett said: “We are talking about kids here. Some of them will be frightened.

“They have seen someone who has lost their life, murdered in front of their own eyes. A lot of them are scared because it could they think it could happen to them if they open their mouths.

"They are scared of being a grass. You are not a grass. You just have to do this. It could be your best friend or family who is murdered.

“This has happened outside of a park where there is a swimming baths. It could be another child next.”

Knives down campaign to take centre stage at Wembley Stadium

In recent weeks, Ms Barrett has also offered words of condolences and support to the family of Holly Newton, a 15-year-old girl who died after a stabbing in Hexham last month, as part of her knives down campaign.

Those leading the campaign to get Magpies clapping in the 14th minute are planning on putting together flags and banners to support their knives down message. Some of the display was already taken to the match against West Ham earlier this month.

Read more: Iconic Newcastle monuments turn green in memory of Gordon Gault, 14, who died in Elswick stabbing tragedy

Writing on Facebook about the Wembley clap, Ms Barrett added: "Also I'm not waiting to dampen spirits for Newcastle at Wembley! Gordon was the happiest, craziest, funniest 14-year-old with a MASSIVE smile! I just want yous all to CLAP like yous have never clapped before! Come on Newcastle United! And roll on WEMBLEY!"

‘Flags, posters and stickers’ in campaign supported by Denise Welch

Family friend Stacey Wait is leading the Wembley campaign and said: "An army will be flooding Wembley with flags, posters and stickers in an attempt to get Gordon justice.

"His killer is still at large in Newcastle and we are hoping by flooding 80,000 football fans we can raise awareness for more information no matter how big or small.

"We feel as though time is running out for the killer. We will also be flooding Newcastle with flyers to try and rejog people’s memories. We want Gordon’s face to be that well known that the killer can no longer hide."

The Wembley campaign has received widespread support online from those involved in the knives down the campaign and Newcastle United fans. Over the weekend, Whitley Bay star Denise Welch also urged followers to take part in the clap by sharing the idea on her Instagram story.

Anyone with information about Gordon Gault’s death should call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log NP-20221109-0955