The North-East branch of the Football Writers' Association has postponed its annual awards dinner as a mark of respect to former Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed.
The FWA decided to call off the event, which was to take place at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham this evening, following the announcement of Speed's death at the age of 42.
A spokesman said: "The North-East football family is grieving today for a fine player and a model professional, and our thoughts are with Gary's family.
"We felt it was the right thing to postpone the dinner until a later date as a mark of respect.''
Speed made 285 appearances and scored 40 goals for the Magpies during a six and a half-year spell on Tyneside.
Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn and Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini were among the award winners due to be honoured at the dinner.
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