Kevin Keegan: A Legend As A Player, Captain & Manager, Never To Be Forgotten.

The incredibly sad news that King Kev has passed away will come as a shock and bring immense sorrow not just to Newcastle fans but fans the world over.

Legend is a word sometimes too easily bestowed, but in Kevin Keegan's case it was richly deserved and he was an iconic person, player and manager who gave his heart, soul and immense passion to everything he did inside and outside of the game.

From being a young player at Scunthorpe to ending his days in top flight football as manager of England, Kevin Keegan inspired fellow teammates and fans with his massive enthusiasm and dedication to being the best player he could possibly be.

King Kev wasn't a Prince blessed with massive skill and natural talent, albeit that he had his fair share, what drove this lad on to the Crown was his total commitment and desire to working hard, giving his all, and never trying to take all the glory for himself.

That made him hugely popular in both the dressing room and with fans of the clubs he played for - and nowhere was that more true than at Newcastle United.

I remember the excitement and disbelief when we signed him, Kevin Keegan coming to a club in the old Second Division. KEVIN KEEGAN!!

The fairy tale continued when he scored on his debut at the Gallowgate End in a 1-0 win to send a sell out crowd into raptures.

That was one of those days etched in my memory and the start of King Kev's reign as one of the greatest and most significant players ever to wear the shirt.

The following season, 83/84 he led us back into the First Division and anyone who was there in his final appearance at SJP can ever forget a helicopter landing on the centre circle to take him on to the next part of his life.

And, as we all know, that next part included coming back to Newcastle United as manager when the club was staring the Third Division in the face under Ossie Ardiles.

Along with his side kick Terry McDermott, King Kev rallied the troops, the fans and every Tom. Dick and Harry at the club to see us escape relegation on a dramatic day against Portsmouth at SJP, with David Kelly scoring a scorcher a few minutes from time to turn shimmering nerves into ecstatic wild celebrations.

King Kev had come to the rescue yet again.

But... he had only just started weaving his magic into our history.

Unbelievably, the following season we finished 3rd in the top flight qualifying for the UEFA Cup - our first time back in Europe since the 1970's, - and his team of attacking, skilled and flamboyant players gained the nickname The Entertainers.

Newcastle were nearly every fans favourite second club and if only... if only... we had held on to that 12pt lead and won the title King Kev might have become an Emperor with his statue replacing Lord Grey's at the top of the monument.

King Kev's time as manager of the Toon gave me, without any shadow of a doubt, my greatest times as a Newcastle fan. He gave us immense pride in our team, city and the right to be called one of the best teams ever to grace the Prem.

Winning the Carabou Cup was a great one-off, but that period under King Kev;s inspired management was just sensational and everything I, and fans lucky enough to have witnessed it , had dreamt of.

It is fitting that our first game of the season is against Liverpool and there are certain to be tributes galore to the great man from both clubs and both sets of supporters.

Legend, saviour, inspirational, charismatic, emotional and un-predictable... Kevin Keegan was all of those, and more, in spades.

God... please give King Kev one of the best seats in the house and our everlasting thanks for the joy and excitement he brought to us.

RIP Kevin Keegan... a Legend and King of Newcastle United FC.

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