Wanderers to remember MH17 victim

The Western Sydney Wanderers will hold a moment of silence at Wednesday night's match in memory of an avid fan who died in the MH17 disaster.

The adored sporting team of an avid Sydney soccer fan will pause to pay tribute to the 25-year-old killed in the MH17 plane disaster.

Jack O'Brien was returning from a seven-week trip around Europe on the Malaysia Airlines flight when it was shot out of the sky over Ukraine.

The Carlingford gym employee, who friends say had an insane passion for life, died alongside at least 38 other Australian citizens and residents.

Mr O'Brien was a fanatic of the Western Sydney Wanderers (WSW) and a foundation member of the Red and Black Bloc, a WSW supporters' group.

For all the countless hours Mr O'Brien had spent in the grandstands cheering on his favourite soccer team, the WSW will turn the table and recognise the fallen fan at a match on Wednesday night.

WSW players will wear black armbands and hold a moment of silence before their 7.30pm kick-off in a pre-season match against Macarthur Rams at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

In a statement the club remembered Mr O'Brien as a proud member of the Wanderers' family.

"The Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club extends its deepest condolences to the O'Brien family following the loss of their son Jack in the tragic MH17 disaster," the club said.

Mr O'Brien's sister, Bronwyn, said her brother went to every match despite a debilitating struggle with reactive arthritis.

"He loved WSW with a passion and being a member was one of the highlights of his adult life," she posted on Facebook.


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