Two match-worn England shirts that once belonged to Kevin Keegan are set to go under the hammer. The former Newcastle striker and England manager died last month aged 75 after a short battle with cancer.
Auctioneer predicts 'huge' interest
Auctioneer Charles Hanson is expecting “huge” interest in the 1982 World Cup Admiral England shirt and the away top worn by Keegan when he scored twice in the World Cup qualifier against Finland on June 13 1976. Each strip could fetch between £4,000 to £6,000.
Mr Hanson said: “I think the market now for football memorabilia, particularly ’70s, ’80s, is at an all-time high particularly when it has been worn, or breathed upon, or has marks and scuffs on it by a legend. These are both match-worn, with full provenance, worn by Kevin Keegan, we hope they’ll make each between £4,000 to £6,000 – and who knows, a Liverpool fan, a Newcastle fan, and a Kevin Keegan fan, they might really fly.”
Shirt from 1982 World Cup clash
Keegan wore the white Admiral shirt during the 1982 World Cup in England’s Group B match against Spain in the second round, when he came on as a substitute with 20 minutes to go. England were knocked out when the game, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, ended in a 0-0 draw.
The framed jersey also comes with a signed letter from Keegan and a photograph of him in his Newcastle United kit. Keegan donated it to charity while he was at Castle Golf Club, Churchtown in Dublin, and he went to the home of the winning bidder, Henry Davidson, for tea and a chat.
Mr Hanson said: “This shirt wasn’t just given to a charity. Kevin said he hopes it would make a hefty sum towards the hospital fund. He also notes, ‘I hope to be there on the night’. He was a man of his word, and he signs it off, ‘Yours in sport, Kevin Keegan’.”
Away shirt with personal history
The red 1970s Admiral away shirt features a blue and white shoulder trim, with the white number 7. Keegan gave it as a thank-you gift to the family of a personal driver he worked with on a fundraising tour of local schools for the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games team.
He stayed at their family home for food and played headers in the garden with the man’s son, who was about seven years old at the time, according to Mr Hanson. Keegan also got the family some tickets for the Liverpool v Manchester United fixture at Anfield on September 25 1976. An autograph book the boy used to get signatures from both squads when he was in the players’ lounge after the game is also part of the sale.
Mr Hanson added that the two sellers “just simply want now new enthusiasts, great fans, supporters of this great man, to enjoy these treasured mementoes”. The items go under the hammer at Hanson’s Auctioneers in Derbyshire on Wednesday.
