Kevin Keegan was planning an emotional return to his beloved Newcastle United before his tragic death from cancer. "King Kev" was set to be a special guest at next season's opening game against his old club Liverpool at St James' Park on August 23. He told an audience at his last appearance on Tyneside that he 'did not want a statue' like fellow Toon idols Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer. But he intended to see the "Toon army" one last time.
His tragic death from cancer at 75 meant that he never got that chance. Lifelong fan Joe Black wore a Newcastle United shirt today which had been signed by Keegan during his personal appearance at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle in May.
Fans pay tribute at St James' Park
A stream of fans paid tribute at St James' Park, including Joe Black, his son Joe, 34, and six-year-old grandson Joe. Black said: "I am going to wear my shirt for the opening game of the season and then keep it and never wear it again. My dad was also called Joe and he was black and white daft. My first game was when I was five years old and I have been coming ever since and I am 69 now. Keegan was a hero, he was something else, and we will never forget him."
Newcastle-born Carolyn Ridley, 63, also a lifelong fan, came to pay tribute and 'share stories' with supporters. He said: "He brought such great times, I still get goosebumps thinking about it. He lifted everything when he was a player and manager. We will never forget the excitement of his teams, he nearly won the league. But his football was just brilliant; I think he got the Geordies, and we got him and loved him. Every time you came here you knew you were going to see goals; he will be remembered for that and of course that TV rant."
Fergie and former players remember Keegan
Keegan himself joked that people would remember his 'perm, his crash on TV's Superstars and his rant at Man Utd.' Sir Alex Ferguson, the man famously on the other end of Keegan's "I'd love it, absolutely love it, if we beat them" tirade, said: "I had the utmost respect for him. We had many duels when he was manager of Newcastle, but I have to say the job he did at Newcastle was fantastic. He re-energised that club and brought that enthusiasm and fanaticism that great supporters can give. That's the job he did. And he also brought three great players to the club: David Ginola, Faustino Asprilla, and Philippe Albert. I must say the challenges we had at that time were huge. It gave Newcastle - I think - their best ever team." Fergie told Track Radio: "The best thing about him was that he held no grudges and I admired him for that."
Schoolfriends Ross Hickson, 46, and Steven Porritt, of Gateshead, bumped into each other outside St James' Park. They shared memories of Keegan's heyday as both a player and manager. "I met him when I was 12 or 13 at the training ground," Steven, a floor layer, recalled. "I was picking up the footballs and he said to me: 'We are £3m in debt, we can't afford to lose them'. Then he got me a ball which I got signed and took into school. He loved it up here and we loved him. I am 47 years old and could not stop crying when I heard he had died yesterday." Ross, a courier, added: "For me, he is up there with Sir Bobby Robson as a legend of this club."
Tributes from former players and MP
Former player Shola Ameobi and Newcastle Central MP Dame Chi Onwurah both came to pay their respects. One tribute read: "White roses for the Geordie from Yorkshire. You broke our hearts in 1974 but made up for it." Another card read: 'Kevin Keegan, Angel of the North'. Others said that whatever tribute was offered 'would never be enough'. Chris Hughton, the former Toon manager, recalled Keegan's wonderful rapport with players. "He was an incredible coach. He was down to earth, charismatic, and always incredibly honest," he said.
Lee Clark, now manager of Hartlepool United, played under Keegan in the 90s. When he first passed his driving test, Keegan told him to take his new sports car back because he did not like the way Clark was driving it. He did the same again with Clark's next car. He said: "He was like the Pied Piper to the Geordie public. They adore him."
Broadcaster recalls Keegan's warmth
The former BBC broadcaster Gary Richardson interviewed Keegan on many occasions. Richardson recalled completing one interview about Keegan's early life before explaining that he was returning to London. Keegan asked him to stay and they chatted for two hours. "It was one of the greatest days of my life in broadcasting. And that is just because of the way that he was," he added. Keegan told him that he was a 'lucky man' because all of his dreams had come true - winning the league with Liverpool, playing for England and Newcastle United, and working with the great Bill Shankly. "Three days after joining Liverpool he came up to me and said 'you will play for England son,'" Keegan recalled. "And I never had any doubt about it because it was Bill Shankly telling me. And he did not mess around."
In a statement on behalf of Keegan's former Liverpool team mate and close friend Terry McDermott, his family said: "We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend, Kevin Keegan. Kevin was so much more than a teammate. He was a lifelong friend whose warmth, loyalty, humour and passion for football touched so many lives. The memories they shared, both on and off the pitch, will be treasured forever. Although Terry’s dementia means he is no longer able to express his feelings publicly, we know how much Kevin meant to him and how deeply this loss would have affected him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean, Laura, Sarah and all of Kevin’s family at this incredibly sad time. We hope they find comfort in the love and respect being shown for Kevin by so many people. Kevin was one of football’s true greats, but to Terry he was, above all, a cherished friend. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten."
