- Newcastle United issue Kevin Keegan statement
- Club legend had requested St James’ Park return
- Magpies send 75-year-old invitation
Newcastle United have issued a heartfelt message of support to club legend Kevin Keegan after the former player and manager opened up about his stage four cancer diagnosis.
The 75-year-old was confirmed to have been diagnosed with cancer in January and attended his first public event since then at the Tyne Theatre on Sunday evening.
In a conversation with Peter Graves at the 1,100-capacity venue, Keegan provided an update on his health. He said: “They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got. Which is stage four cancer.
“He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn’t be walking alone, if you know what I mean.”
Newcastle United issue Kevin Keegan statement
Messages of support for Keegan have come flooding in across social media and Newcastle United have now issued a statement welcoming the footballing hero back to St James’ Park in the near future.
That comes after Keegan expressed his desire to return to the ground for a proper farewell with fans following his sudden 2008 departure from the dugout. He said: “I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time.”
Newcastle have now opened the door to that happening in a statement shared on social media. The post read: “We send our heartfelt support and warmest wishes to Kevin Keegan and his family following his recent diagnosis of stage four cancer.
“Kevin holds a unique and cherished place in the history of Newcastle United, and in the hearts of our supporters. His passion, leadership and connection to the club and city have shaped some of our most memorable moments.
“Everyone at the club is behind Kevin and sends strength and best wishes to him and his family for the journey ahead.
“Kevin will always be warmly welcomed at St James’ Park and we hope to see him again soon.”
Newcastle fans call for Kevin Keegan stand at St James’ Park
Newcastle fans are overwhelmingly in support of not only a lap of honour, but a more concrete way to remember Keegan for everything that he has given to the football club.
One supporter replied to the club message and said: “Deserves something at St James’, maybe a stand.”
Another wrote: “I know he says don’t erect a statue yet til he’s gone but never mind that, what you can do is very quickly: East Stand = Kevin Keegan Stand Do it.”
One user said: “Someone who has a bit of power to contact our owners needs to let them know we want a Kevin Keegan stand or statue.”
Keegan was asked about a potential statue over the weekend but politely requested that any such tribute be done after his passing, prioritising the chance to return to the stadium and salute fans.
The former Magpies manager left under a cloud in 2008 following a fallout with Mike Ashley and the club board. There were protests at St James’ Park at the time.
In 2008, following the premature end of his second stint in the dugout, Keegan said: “I’ve been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible.
“It’s my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want.”
A club statement at the time read: “Over the last few days, the club has devoted itself to the discussions it has held with Kevin and as a result of those discussions had put together a set of practical suggestions for how to move forward.
“The club made it clear to Kevin that if he had any outstanding concerns on its proposals, he should raise them with the club. The club regrets that Kevin has, instead of taking up that offer, chosen to resign.”
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