Newcastle United fans go gather for St James’ Park today for di first Premier League match of di season against Liverpool, but di main tori na tribute to one of di club’s greatest sons, Kevin Keegan, wey don die.
Keegan, wey be former Newcastle player and manager, bin fight stage four cancer before im death. Dem go celebrate im life and achievements before kick-off, and e go be emotional occasion for everybody wey know am.
Warren Barton, former Newcastle defender wey dey fly in from United States, say all of dem go get tear for eye. ‘Because, like when Sir Bobby Robson went, you just lose a little bit, but you never forget,’ e yarn.
Kevin Keegan na im take Newcastle from brink of relegation to cusp of winning Premier League just few years later. Im return as manager for 1992 after im previous spell as player, and e encourage di city to dream.
Former first-team coach Derek Fazackerley say Keegan never happy with mediocrity. ‘He was always trying to drive it forward because he was used to playing at the top and knew what it needed to sustain that,’ e add.
Ex-physio Derek Wright bin get funny memory. E recall how Kevin carry am for piggyback around di field after winning a race. ‘But he ended up in hospital for a few days after carrying me on his back. I think he prolapsed a disc,’ Wright laugh.
Lee Clark, ex-midfielder wey now dey manage Hartlepool, go wear im retro Newcastle shirt with Keegan’s name and number seven. ‘He gave the club its belief back. He gave the city its identity back,’ Clark talk.
Newcastle current manager Matthias Jaissle, wey just join di club, say e don hear plenty stories about Kevin. ‘He made a phenomenal impact on this club and is a huge source of inspiration,’ Jaissle write for im programme notes.
Jaissle also confirm Dan Burn as captain and Joelinton as vice captain for di season. Plus new signing Amar Dedić from Austria dey available.
Chris Heron of Wor Flags tell BBC Radio Newcastle say dem get special plans for tribute to Keegan before di match.
