Newcastle United fans have spoken about what Kevin Keegan meant to them, and gave their thoughts on how he should be remembered. Supporters once again gathered outside of St James' Park today to pay tribute to their hero, and shared stories of the one they called 'King Kev'.
After the former player and manager's tragic death aged 75, amid his battle with stage four cancer, a sombre atmosphere fell over the city centre. Many shirts, scarves, and other tributes have been left around the stadium by the poignant and reflective fanbase.
It has been an emotional day at the stadium, with people from all walks of life coming together to commemorate such a legend. There have been calls for a statue, the renaming of a stand, or another permanent tribute to the great man himself.
Fans share their memories
James Fairrington, 23, of Gateshead, said: "I'm a massive Newcastle United fan, and I wanted to come here to pay tribute to an absolute local legend of Newcastle, the king of the north, with many memories of King Kev as a player and a manager."
"It's a sad day for all Newcastle fans, and it's hard to take, but hopefully he will get a statue, a stand named after him or even a plaque. I was just around the corner when I saw the news yesterday and I came straight here, he was iconic."
Paul Wearmouth, 68, from Bedlington, said: "I'm here to pay respects and a tribute to Kevin Keegan, because what he did for the city was outstanding. He came to help us as a player, and I never thought he would come back as a manager."
"The heartbeat and the soul of the city, the mood went up and it was just amazing, it was a tremendous time for all of us, going from tears of sadness to tears of joy. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and he worked hard and grafted for absolutely everything he had so it has been sad here, but it is lovely to see people paying tributes."
More tributes from fans
Bill Corcoran, representing NUFC Fans Foodbank, said: "I needed to come and pay my respects to Kevin, and drop off a scarf, as a small token of a man that will never be forgotten. This time here is a small payback to the time that he spent with all of the fans."
"He believed in the people of Newcastle, hopefully he will be here as a statue, but we will always carry him in our hearts and souls. All of our fans are looking to remember his family, and this is a respectful atmosphere to remember the special man that he was."
Gary Parker, 54, of Gateshead, said: "Kevin Keegan was my boyhood hero, bringing the club from the bottom to the top. Newcastle fans stick together, I was in the house and I was upset, and messaged my friend straight away."
"My favourite memories of Keegan are when he left in the helicopter, and when he signed Alan Shearer, and we need a statue for him. He was the king, there is no other way to sum him up, so that is how he will be remembered."
James Keenan, 38, of Gateshead, added: "I brought my kids over to pay tribute to King Kev, and it made me very sad and overwhelmed. I was in the house when I heard the news, and was quite heartbroken, because I remember him from when I first got into football."
"He was just a legend, and gave us some good times, and I think he should have a statue alongside the others. He was King Kev, and we will always remember him alongside the other greats of this club, what a legend."
