Kevin Keegan is set to become the first person to be posthumously awarded the Freedom of Newcastle, the city's highest civic honour, following his death earlier this year.
The legendary former Newcastle United player and manager will be put forward for the title at a special council meeting on November 4, where councillors will be asked to approve the award. Newcastle City Council said the honour would "serve as a lasting tribute to a man who meant so much to the city and whose legacy will continue to inspire people for many years to come".
The local authority confirmed that Keegan had been due to receive the Freedom of the City earlier this year, but it was not formally agreed before he passed away in July after a battle with cancer.
Council Leader's Tribute
Ahead of the meeting, council leader Colin Ferguson said: "We were all deeply saddened to learn of Kevin Keegan's death in July, and you could see from the enormous amount of tributes left outside St James' Park what he meant to the city and the footballing world. The stories that have been shared about Kevin and the impact he made have been inspiring and show just how much he was loved not only by our city, but across the world."
Ferguson added: "You don't have to be a football fan to understand the impact that Kevin had on the city, on both occasions at a time when it was needed the most. As a player, he helped put Newcastle United and the city back in the spotlight, with a two-time Ballon d'Or winner joining a then Second Division side."
"And then as a manager, he brought so much joy to thousands of fans with his style of play, with people from around the world falling in love with the team," he continued. "Kevin will forever be a hero to Newcastle United supporters for his achievements and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. The proposal to posthumously bestow the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle on Kevin is a fitting tribute to everything he gave to our city, and I hope council members will support it when they consider the motion. Our thoughts remain with Kevin's family, friends and all those who continue to mourn his loss."
Career Highlights and Family Response
As a player, Keegan scored 48 goals in 78 games after joining Newcastle in 1982 and helped secure promotion back to the First Division. He then returned to Tyneside as manager in 1992 and led the club up to the Premier League, where his famous Entertainers team came close to winning the title and captured the imagination of fans across the globe.
Keegan went on to manage Fulham, Manchester City and England, before returning for a second spell in charge at St James' Park in 2008. In a statement, his family said: "Kevin always shared his love for Newcastle United, Geordies and the city, captivating us with stories told with his infectious smile."
"Seeing the tributes brought those stories to life for Kevin's grandchildren, showing them how deeply their grandfather was loved in return. It also allowed us a quiet moment to reflect on many fond memories of Kevin's incredible career and the incomparable bond he shared with Newcastle," the family added.
Joining Sporting Legends
Keegan will join other Newcastle sporting legends such as Alan Shearer, Sir Bobby Robson, Jackie Milburn, and Eddie Howe in receiving the Freedom of the City. The award is an honorary status that involves a recipient's name being inscribed in the wall of the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre.
It is not the same as being a hereditary Freeman of Newcastle, a centuries-old group whose members must swear an oath to defend the city and have traditionally had special rights and duties – including the right to graze cattle on the Town Moor.
Newcastle lord mayor Henry Gallagher, a Magpies season ticket holder, said: "Kevin has a lasting legacy for the whole of the city, not just for the football club. Looking at all the comments people have made about him, they all say the same thing – that Kevin always had time for people. He would always stop and chat, and make sure that everybody had a chance to talk to him. He brought such joy to our city. When he came here it was like we were taken notice of again and it was brilliant."
Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson added: "Kevin Keegan will always be, quite simply, one of the most important, influential and beloved figures in the history of Newcastle United. His impact on our club, our city and generations of supporters is immeasurable. As both a player and manager, he helped shape some of the most memorable chapters in our history and created a bond with Newcastle that leaves a true legacy. The proposal to make Kevin an Honorary Freeman of Newcastle, the highest civic honour, is a fitting recognition for one of the city's greatest icons."
