The family of former Liverpool player Kevin Keegan have said they are "truly overwhelmed" by the outpouring of support following his death aged 75. Tributes have poured in from across the football world since it was announced on July 20 that the former Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United striker had died following a short battle with stomach cancer.
Funeral and Memorial Service Plans
A private funeral will take place in the coming weeks, while Newcastle United will later hold a memorial service to honour a man who was revered on Tyneside both for his achievements on the pitch and in the dugout.
A statement from the Keegan family, shared by the League Managers Association, read: "Following the devastating news of Kevin’s passing, we would like to thank the vast number of people who have expressed condolences and shared their memories of Kevin in recent days.
"As a family we have been truly overwhelmed by the volume of tributes and are grateful for them all.
"We will be holding a small private funeral in the coming weeks and request ongoing privacy and respect whilst we navigate this extremely difficult period as a family.
"Details of a memorial service hosted by Newcastle United that will take place at a later date will be communicated in due course."
Charity Donations Requested
The family have also requested, in lieu of flowers, donations to two charities close to Keegan's heart. They have set up a Go Fund Me Page asking for donations to the Christie Charity, which funds enhanced services, pioneering research, education and additional support services for cancer patients and their families, and Football Families for Justice, a charity set up by World Cup winner Nobby Stiles’ son John to support former players suffering from neurodegenerative diseases caused by heading the ball.
Keegan's Legacy
Keegan is one of the most decorated English players of all time, winning the Ballon d'Or twice. He made 85 appearances for Newcastle before returning to manage the club, first in 1992. He won over half of his 251 games at the helm and came close to winning the Premier League. His second stint in the dugout was in 2008.
Despite his revered status, Keegan insisted he didn't want a statue at St James' Park. He said: "You will have to wait until I die. My statue is the way people receive me."
