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Keegan honoured at St James' Park
Newcastle United and Liverpool came together at St James' Park for their Premier League season opener, using the occasion to honour Kevin Keegan, who died in July at the age of 75 after being diagnosed with stage four cancer.
“ahead of an emotional meeting of two of his former clubs”
The Independent described how before kick-off all four sides of St James' Park displayed a large mosaic in tribute to the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, with Newcastle supporters displaying Keegan’s shirt number in black and white and ‘Keegan’ shown in red and white in the Liverpool end.
Players of both teams warmed up with special shirts displaying ‘Keegan 7’, while a display of tributes left behind by supporters at St James’ Park was brought together in the centre-circle before kick-off.
Sky Sports also reported that players and supporters paid tribute to the Newcastle and Liverpool legend ahead of their Premier League meeting at St James' Park.
The Independent added that a minute’s applause was held following a video tribute and that several of Keegan’s former players at Newcastle, including Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and David Ginola, were in attendance along with members of Keegan’s family.
Quotes, chants, and wreaths
Keegan’s final public message was woven into the pre-match tributes, with the Independent quoting the banner message: “I want people to dream about their football club. They should. We should all be dreamers at heart.”
The Independent also reported that chants of “There’s only one Kevin Keegan” rang around the ground during the pre-match tribute as Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush led the Liverpool tributes and laid a wreath of red flowers outside the stadium.
The Independent further said Newcastle led the tributes following Keegan’s death in July and quoted the club saying: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history.”
In parallel, Liverpool added: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan and mourn his loss,” as the clubs marked the same moment at St James’ Park.
The Independent noted that there were also tributes at Manchester City before they played Bournemouth on Sunday, extending the memorial beyond the two clubs meeting in Newcastle.
Legacy and next tributes
The Independent framed the day’s ceremony as a shared remembrance of Keegan’s impact across both clubs, noting that he was revered for his playing achievements at Liverpool and later for his leadership and charisma as a manager with Newcastle.
““I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time.””
It also recalled that Keegan formed a key part of Bill Shankly’s first great side at Liverpool, winning three First Division titles, the FA Cup, the European Cup and two Uefa Cups, before leaving Liverpool in 1977 and joining Hamburg where he won back-to-back Ballon d’Ors.
The Liverpool Echo reported that Keegan’s last wish had been to return to St James' Park and address the fans, quoting his wish: “I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time.”
The Liverpool Echo added that, after the Premier League opener at St James’ Park on Sunday, “a further tribute will be held ahead of the Reds' first Premier League home match of the season, on Saturday, August 29 against Nottingham Forest,” with a special fan mosaic and a period of applause observed before kick-off.
Meanwhile, the Keegan family letter published by Newcastle United emphasized that “Despite living outside of the region, your love and warmth from the North East has reached our hearts,” linking the tributes at St James’ Park to messages received “during these difficult days.”