Before the kickoff of the new Premier League season match between Newcastle and Liverpool, a heartfelt ceremony took place to pay tribute to the legend of both clubs and former England captain, Kevin Keegan, who sadly passed away last month at the age of 75 following a battle with cancer. The family of the great footballer and manager watched the tribute from the director's box at the stadium.
The stands were filled with several of Keegan’s former players from his iconic Newcastle team of 1992-1997: Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Peter Beardsley, Tino Asprilla, Warren Barton, Shaka Hislop, Lee Clark, Darren Peacock, Steve Watson, Rueben Fox, Steve Howey, and Liam O'Brien.
During the pre-match warm-up, players from both teams emerged wearing special shirts emblazoned with the name 'Keegan' and the number seven on their backs. A canvas of over 500 club shirts brought in by fans was unfurled in the centre circle, paying homage to the tragic news. After a touching video tribute played on the stadium screens, the fan movement Wor Flags orchestrated a performance that encompassed every section of the ground, including the Liverpool supporters' area.
On the Liza’s End stand, a mosaic formed the words 'Keegan 7', while a giant banner reading 'King Kev' adorned the East Stand. The Gallowgate End showcased the iconic quote from the manager:
I want people to dream about their football club. They should do it. Deep down, we all should be dreamers. Some people behave differently and say: 'We can’t do that.' But when you ask them why, they can’t name a reason. Well, I’ll say: 'Why not?'
Before the referee's whistle, both teams, the match officials, and the entire stadium observed a minute's applause accompanied by chants of the legend’s name. The day before the match, the Keegan family released an open letter expressing their gratitude to football fans:
A sea of black-and-white shirts and scarves alongside flowers from many other clubs reminded us just how much Kevin meant to the entire football world. It was a poignant moment reminding us of our grief and loss, yet filled us with immense pride and love as we read so many personal and heartfelt messages. Kevin always shared his love for Newcastle, the people of Tyneside, and the city, enchanting us with stories and his infectious smile. These tributes brought those stories to life for Kevin's grandchildren, showing them how dearly their grandfather was loved in return.
