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Kevin Keegan tribute unites Newcastle and Liverpool at St James’ Park
Published 08:00 24 Aug 2026 BST
Updated 08:00 24 Aug 2026 BST
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Kevin Keegan's family watched from the directors' box as Newcastle United and Liverpool supporters came together at St James' Park on Sunday to honour the former England captain.
Keegan died last month at the age of 75 following a battle with cancer, and itt was the first meeting of the two clubs he represented since his death, as BBC Sport reported.
How Newcastle and Liverpool honoured Kevin Keegan
Both teams' players warmed up in shirts carrying Keegan's number seven, while a mosaic made from more than 500 shirts left outside the stadium was unfurled in the centre circle, and a tribute video played before supporters' group Wor Flags covered every seat.
The Leazes End spelled out "Keegan 7", the East Stand carried a tifo of "King Kev", and the Gallowgate End displayed one of his best-known lines: "I want people to dream about their football club."
Players from his first spell in charge between 1992 and 1997 were present, among them Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Rob Lee and Tino Asprilla.
Bobby Moncur, Ian Rush, Shola Ameobi and Sir Kenny Dalglish laid wreaths in the memorial gardens before the 4.30pm kick-off, the opening afternoon of the 2026/27 Premier League season on Tyneside.
The Keegan family's words came in a letter printed in the matchday programme, which thanked the North East for its support during "some of the hardest" weeks they have endured.
Both sets of fans then joined a minute's applause as chants of "one Kevin Keegan" rolled around the stadium.
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