Overwhelming Kevin Keegan St James' Park stand verdict delivered as Newcastle United CEO drops hint
The tributes have been pouring in for Newcastle United legend Kevin Keegan this week - with a permanent tribute hinted by the football club.
There has been a week of mourning on Tyneside following the passing of Newcastle United legend Kevin Keegan.
Supporters from far and wide have flocked to St James’ Park to pay tribute to the former Newcastle player and manager, who passed away at age 75 following a battle with cancer.
There is a temporary memorial to Keegan situated between the Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer statues outside of St James’ Park. Now, the club’s chief executive officer, David Hopkinson, has hinted at a permanent tribute.
Hopkinson said: “The hearts, the minds and the faces of everyone here, first and foremost. Clearly, we've got a statue of Alan Shearer here, we've got a statue of Sir Bobby Robson here and Kevin's impact in this club… extraordinary.
“I think it demands a physical tribute. What that means, a statue, a stand… the answer is we haven't determined that yet. It's early for that. We're going to make that determination ultimately and at the right time in conjunction and consultation with the family. We're not on to that today. Today, we're just mourning like everybody else.”
Newcastle United supporters have delivered their verdict
A private poll put out to Shields Gazette followers was met with a 98% response in favour of Newcastle naming a stand at St James’ Park after Keegan.
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Supporters also made their feelings clear in the comments.
John Pasifull: “I'd say rename St. James’ Park stadium to the Kevin Keegan stadium or name a stand the Kevin Keegan stand.”
Rod Wrafter: “Should be the Kevin Keegan stand.”
Wendy Baines: “Kevin Keegan stand would be great for the fans.”
Many were in support of both a stand and a statue, with some supporters feeling the latter was long overdue.
Barbz Burn: “Definitely, there should have been one years ago.”
Stephen Willis: “Statue.”
One supporter even suggested going one step further with an ‘international’ tribute.
Anth Graham: “The Kevin Keegan International Airport has a certain ring to it, don’t you think!”
Newcastle players will be wearing black armbands during pre-season while a tribute is also being planned for the first match of the Premier League season against one of Keegan’s other former clubs, Liverpool, at St James’ Park on August 23.
A Newcastle club statement read: “To ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game, the club is in communication with Liverpool and will work closely with supporter groups, including its Fan Advisory Board, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and Wor Flags, as well as the Premier League, to shape tributes.”
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