Newcastle and Liverpool unite in tributes to Kevin Keegan
Newcastle United and Liverpool paid tribute to the late Kevin Keegan before kick-off at St James' Park in their Premier League season opener on Sunday. Supporters and players from both clubs joined the observance ahead of the fixture.
Keegan, who played for both clubs before going on to manage Newcastle, died at the age of 75 last month following a battle with cancer. As the teams met for the first time since his death, members of Keegan's family were present in the directors' box. A number of Keegan's former players from his first spell in charge of Newcastle, between 1992 and 1997, also attended the game.
Those former players 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. Newcastle supporters paid tribute to their former player and manager during the pre-match build-up. The presence of these figures underscored the connections between Keegan and the current Newcastle community.
In the warm-up, players from both sides wore Keegan 7 on the back of their shirts. A centre circle mosaic made up of more than 500 shirts left outside St James' Park following Keegan's death was unfurled in the centre circle a few minutes later. A tribute video to Keegan was then played on the big screen.
Supporters' group Wor Flags unveiled a huge display that involved every seat in the ground, including Liverpool supporters. Keegan 7 was spelt out in the Leazes End and there was a massive tifo of 'King Kev' in the East Stand. In the Gallowgate End, a banner displayed the quote: "I want people to dream about their football club," the banner read. "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?'"
The teams and fans then joined together in an emotional minute's applause before the match. "One Kevin Keegan" rang out from the stands during that applause. The matchday programme was dedicated to Keegan.
Keegan's family wrote an open letter in advance of the game to thank supporters for "filling us with so much comfort during these difficult days". They said they had previously seen the huge number of tributes left outside the stadium. "The sea of black and white shirts and scarves, alongside colours from so many other clubs, reminded us how much Kevin meant to the footballing world," they said. "It was a sombre moment that reminded us of our pain and loss, yet matched with immense pride and love as we read so many personal and heartfelt messages. "Kevin always shared his love for Newcastle United, Geordies, and the city, captivating us with stories told with his infectious smile. "Seeing these tributes brought those stories to life for Kevin's grandchildren, showing them how deeply their grandfather was loved in return."
The tributes were staged ahead of Newcastle's Premier League season opener at St James' Park on Sunday and marked the first meeting between the clubs since Keegan's death.
