Fellow Geordie Alan Shearer also tweeted:, external “Awful news. RIP Blackie.”
Ex-Sunderland and Newcastle striker Michael Bridges described Black as an amazing man who had time for everyone
“Took me under his wing in 1994 and trained me on Tynemouth beach to get me fit for the start of my YTS contract. The world has lost a great man, husband, father and mentor,” he wrote on Twitter.
Terry McDermott, who worked with Black as a football coach at Newcastle and Huddersfield, tweeted: “Devastated to wake up to the news my big mate has passed away.
“Words can’t do justice what a top bloke he was and he will be missed very much by everyone who knew him.”