Emotional Tributes at St James’ Park
Newcastle United and Liverpool supporters, alongside the family of Kevin Keegan, gathered to honour the former England captain. The tribute took place during the Premier League season opener at St James’ Park, marking the first time the two clubs met since Keegan’s passing last month.
Members of Keegan’s family were present in the directors’ box, witnessing the outpouring of affection for the man who played for both clubs and later managed Newcastle. The matchday programme was dedicated to Keegan, reflecting his significant impact on both teams and the wider football community.
During the warm-up, players from both sides wore shirts bearing “Keegan 7” on their backs. A mosaic, formed from over 500 shirts left outside St James’ Park after his death, was unfurled in the centre circle, creating a powerful visual tribute.
A tribute video celebrating Keegan’s life and career was shown on the big screen. Following this, the supporters’ group Wor Flags orchestrated a massive display that involved every seat in the ground, including those occupied by Liverpool supporters. This display featured “Keegan 7” spelled out in the Leazes End, a large tifo of ‘King Kev’ in the East Stand, and a memorable quote in the Gallowgate End from a figure described as transformational in Newcastle‘s history.
The quote on the banner read: “I want people to dream about their football club. They should. We should all be dreamers at heart. Some people are the opposite and say, ‘We can’t do that’. But when you ask them why, they can’t give a reason. Well, I say, ‘Why not?'” This sentiment resonated with the fans who then joined in an emotional minute’s applause before the match, with chants of “one Kevin Keegan” echoing through the stands.
A Family’s Gratitude and Reflection
Keegan’s family expressed their gratitude to the supporters in an open letter released prior to the game. They conveyed how the love and warmth from the North East had provided immense comfort during a difficult time. The family had previously seen the numerous tributes left outside the stadium, which included a “sea of black and white shirts and scarves, alongside colours from so many other clubs.”
This visible display reminded the family of Keegan’s significance to the footballing world. They described the experience as a sombre moment, filled with pain and loss, yet also matched with immense pride and love as they read many personal and heartfelt messages. The family noted that Keegan consistently shared his affection for Newcastle United, the Geordies, and the city, often recounting stories with his infectious smile.
Witnessing these tributes brought those stories to life for Keegan’s grandchildren, illustrating the depth of love their grandfather received in return. The family also took a quiet moment to reflect on many fond memories of Keegan’s career and the unique bond he shared with Newcastle. They acknowledged that the passion shown by the football club, city, and community truly embodied Keegan as a footballer, manager, and family man.
The family concluded their letter by expressing eternal gratitude for the adoration and strength provided during their time of need, thanking Newcastle for their love. Among those attending the game were several of Keegan’s former players from his initial managerial spell at Newcastle, which ran between 1992 and 1997. These included Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Peter Beardsley, Tino Asprilla, Warren Barton, Shaka Hislop, Lee Clark, Darren Peacock, Steve Watson, Ruel Fox, Steve Howey, and Liam O’Brien.
Keegan passed away at the age of 75 following a battle with cancer.
Source: bbc.com
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