Keegan's mere presence in the stand alongside new owner Mike Ashley inspired Newcastle United to a 4-1 win over Stoke City.

Hopes were high that Keegan's love for the club, and Ashley's millions, would end 39 years of hurt on Tyneside.

However, the hurt goes on, and those fans who turned up at the St James's last night were coming to terms with another tumultuous week on Tyneside.

They'd thought they'd seen it all before – but United, as everyone in the city knows, is like no other club in the world.

Shortly after the news broke of Keegan's resignation last night, I walked up to the stadium, where hundreds had gathered to protest at the events of the past few days.

Yes, some were fuelled by alcohol, and Shearer's Bar was soon forced to stop selling alcoholic drinks, but most were ordinary fans, fuelled by anger at the way the hope Keegan had given them had been cruelly taken from them.

Speaking to fans, time and again they said the same thing – they're sick of Newcastle being a laughing stock, and sick of seemingly throwing good money after bad in support of a club which will invariably let them down.

The pantomine villain is, of course, executive director (football) Dennis Wise, tasked with player recruitment by Ashley.

"Keegan's right, Wise is s***e" was one chant. Others aren't printable.

But Ashley, who has up to now been able to mix freely with supporters in away ends up and down the country, bore the brunt of the fans' anger, and his honeymoon, which had lasted more than 12 months, is well and truly over.

And his surprise decision to appoint Wise and his team just days into Keegan's second reign can now be seen as the beginning of the end.

Keegan, who has done more than almost anyone else for the club, deserves better, and the idea the club will now demand £2m in damages for turning his back on an intolerable situation from him will not sit well with fans.

He simply wanted to be allowed to get on with his job – to manage Newcastle United to the best of his ability. What was wrong with that?

Keegan is a man of principle, and not one supporter I spoke to last night blamed Keegan for his decision to walk away from the club he loves.

Instead, they were fully behind his decision, despite the pain it had brought.

By contrast, few agreed with Keegan's decision to back Joey Barton, but they understood his sentiment. He backed his players, and in turn, got respect, and loyalty, from them.

Keegan, of course, should be in London today for Barton's Football Association disciplinary hearing.

Instead, he is with his family, coming to terms with his third, and most probably, final departure from the club which has long been closest to his heart.

Back on Tyneside, "Sack the board" is again being chanted outside St James's Park, a reminder of the dark days of the late 1980s.

However, these are now dark days, and the fates of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest – two clubs which spectacularly fell from grace – are on the minds of many fans.

Morale among players and supporters alike is at rock bottom, and another relegation battle is a possibility, as Keegan's successor, whoever that may be, will have a squad woefully equipped for the top flight.

Just where does Newcastle United go from here? God only knows.