What Eddie Howe said on Queen Elizabeth’s passing as Newcastle United prepare to pay tribute

Newcastle United and Bournemouth will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

Clubs across the United Kingdom will join forces this weekend in paying their respects to Her Majesty following her sad passing last week.

The previous round of Premier League fixtures were postponed, however matches will resume as clubs unite for the country’s longest-serving monarch.

Fans will be asked to join a minute’s silence, which will be followed by the National Anthem, God Save The King.

The TV screen and LED perimeter boards at St James’ Park will display tribute images to Her Majesty and flags, namely on top of the East Stand, will be flying at half-mast.

During the game, when the clock hits 70 minutes, fans will be invited to applaud the Queen’s 70-year reign.

“I think the beauty of football is we do get a chance to come together as a nation up and down the country and pay tribute to the fantastic life The Queen had and what she did for our country,” Magpies head coach Eddie Howe said. “That’s what football does best I think.”

He added: “There was a sombre mood (the day after the Queen passed away) and a lot of talk internally about the Queen and everything she accomplished in her life. There is a lot of respect internally here.”

Newcastle versus Bournemouth is one of seven top-flight matches to go ahead with Chelsea vs Liverpool and Manchester United vs Leeds United postponed due to events surrounding the Queen’s funeral.

The State Funeral takes place at West Gate of Westminster Abbey on Monday, the last day of the UK’s official 10-day mourning period.