Newcastle United and Liverpool supporters came together at St James’ Park on Sunday to honour club legend and former England captain Kevin Keegan ahead of their Premier League season opener.
Keegan’s family were present at the stadium as both sets of supporters paid tribute to the former player and manager, who died aged 75 last month following a battle with cancer.
Keegan represented both Newcastle and Liverpool during his distinguished playing career before managing Newcastle, where he became one of the most influential figures in the club’s history.
Several members of his former Newcastle team were also in attendance, including 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.
During the warm-up, players from both teams wore shirts bearing Keegan’s famous number seven, while a centre-circle mosaic made from more than 500 shirts left outside St James’ Park after his death was unveiled.
A tribute video celebrating Keegan’s life and contribution to football was subsequently shown on the stadium’s big screen.
Newcastle supporters’ group Wor Flags then unveiled a huge stadium-wide display involving supporters from both clubs.
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“Keegan 7” was displayed at the Leazes End, while a giant “King Kev” tifo was unveiled in the East Stand. Another banner in the Gallowgate End carried one of Keegan’s famous messages about believing in the possibilities of football.
The players and supporters then joined in an emotional minute’s applause as chants of “One Kevin Keegan” echoed around St James’ Park.
Keegan’s family had earlier written an open letter thanking supporters for the tributes that followed his death.
They said the overwhelming display of affection had provided comfort during a difficult period and demonstrated how deeply Keegan was loved across the football community.
The family recalled Keegan’s affection for Newcastle United, the city and its supporters, saying the tributes had also helped his grandchildren understand the lasting impact their grandfather had on generations of football fans.
Sunday’s tribute brought together two of Keegan’s former clubs in a poignant celebration of a player, manager and football figure whose influence extended far beyond the pitch.
