Kevin Keegan has been granted the Freedom of the City of Newcastle, the city's highest civic honour, following a vote by councillors on Wednesday night. The former Newcastle United player and manager, who died earlier this year at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer, becomes the first person to receive the award posthumously.
Recognition of a Lasting Legacy
Councillors at a special Newcastle City Council meeting agreed to bestow the honour in recognition of Keegan's contribution to life on Tyneside. He joins Alan Shearer, Sir Bobby Robson, Jackie Milburn, and Eddie Howe in receiving the award.
Lib Dem council leader Colin Ferguson said Keegan would be remembered for "bringing so much joy to thousands of fans and putting the sleeping giant of Newcastle United back on the international map." He added: "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 joy to our city. He inspired people. Fans were in awe of him but he treated them the same as the stars he worked with on a daily basis."
Plans for the Honour Before His Death
The meeting heard that plans to award Keegan the Freedom of the City had been in motion earlier this year. Keegan and his family were informed in June, but the honour could not be finalised before his death in July.
As a player, Keegan scored 48 goals in 78 games after joining Newcastle in 1982 and helped secure promotion back to the First Division. Returning to the North East as manager in 1992, he led the Magpies to the Premier League and oversaw the famous Entertainers team.
"King Kev, the Messiah"
Reform UK's opposition leader Steven Rutherford, who seconded the motion, said Keegan had "made this city stand taller." He said: "Kevin Keegan was not just a footballer or a manager to people like me. He was King Kev, the Messiah. To generations of Geordies he was something rarer still — a genuine source of pride, hope and joy at moments when this city needed all three."
Rutherford added: "For those of us who grew up in that time, he defined what it meant to support this club. He brought belief back to Tyneside. He made supporting Newcastle feel exciting, bold and full of possibility again. The bond he built with the supporters was extraordinary – one based on passion, honesty and a shared love for this city that went far beyond results."
Ferguson concluded: "The stories that have been shared about Kevin and the influence he made have been inspiring and show just how much he was loved not only by our city, but across the world. He will forever be a hero to Newcastle United supporters for his achievements and the lasting legacy he leaves behind."
