Newcastle fans have paid tribute to Kevin Keegan with an extraordinary sea of flowers outside St James’ Park.
The grounds outside the stadium are awash with floral bouquets, Newcastle shirts and a huge banner celebrating ‘The Messiah’.
The legendary football player and manager died this week aged 75 following a stage four cancer battle.
His diagnosis was first revealed in January but his family announced with ‘immense sadness’ that he passed away on Monday.
Newcastle fans paid hundreds of tributes to the club’s former manager at St James’ Park on Saturday as the Magpies drew 1-1 away against Gateshead this afternoon in their first fixture since his death.
Before the match, the team held a minute’s silence to honour the man nicknamed ‘Mighty Mouse’.
Dozens of fans were pictured laying flowers alongside Newcastle shirts and scarves around the outside of the ground.
Newcastle bosses are reportedly in discussions with Liverpool, their first opponents of the new season, to ensure Keegan’s ‘memory is marked fittingly before the game’.
Tributes outside St James’ Park to former England forward and manager Kevin Keegan
The football icon died on Monday following a short battle with stage four stomach cancer, for which he had begun treatment in Janaury
One fan left a heartfelt message along with a vintage Magpies shirt and a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale
Kevin Keegan attends a team warm up before the Premier League match at St James’ Park against Middlesbrough in 2008
Keegan made 230 appearances and scored 68 goals for Liverpool during his six-year stint at the club between 1971 and 1977.
On Wednesday, as the Magpies head down south to play away against Bristol City, Keegan’s image will be shown on screens around the stadium during the seventh minute in a nod to the number he wore during his playing career.
Fans have been encouraged to give him applause during this time.
And next month, on August 15 and 16, when Newcastle men’s team will face Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg and the women’s side will play Inter Milan, Keegan’s image will again be shown during the seventh minute.
It comes amid growing calls for a statue honouring Keegan to be erected outside Newcastle’s stadium.
Meanwhile others have said the East Stand at St James’ Park should be renamed after him.
The former forward and two-time Ballon d’Or winner made 63 appearances for England during his playing career, while spending his club career Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United.
One of the most famous moments of his managerial career came in 1996 when he infamously stated he would ‘love it if we beat’ Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Keegan at the first day at the Boodles May Festival City Day at Chester Racecourse, in Cheshire
‘There’s only one Kevin Keegan,’ read one fan’s tribute on an England shirt left outside St James’ Park
Flowers, shirts, scarfs and a huge banner honouring ‘The Messiah’ were left outside the grounds on Saturday
One supporter also left a copy of Keegan’s autobiography My Life In Football on the steps to the stadium
Alan Shearer led the tributes to Keegan after he passed away following a short battle with stage four stomach cancer in January, having been admitted to hospital with abdominal problems.
In a statement, his family said: ‘It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
‘The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments.
‘Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much loved husband, father and grandfather.
‘The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy.’
Newcastle legend Shearer said: ‘My Hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss.’
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher added: ‘RIP Kevin Keegan. One of the greatest players this country has ever produced, trophies & goals galore, double Ballon d’Or winner shows he was an absolute giant of the English game.
Keegan is pictured here with former England and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer in 1999
One fan left a number seven balloon in reference to Keegan’s kit number during his playing career
Another supporter left framed artwork picturing the Mighty Mouse during his playing days
‘One of the most important men in making @LFC what it is today.’
Prince William, the official patron of the FA, said: ‘Incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Kevin Keegan.
‘A truly remarkable footballer and manager who inspired generations with his talent, passion and love of the game.
‘Above all, he will be remembered as a kind and generous man. Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him. W.’
Sir Trevor Brooking said: ‘I am so very sad to hear the devastating news today about my friend and former team-mate Kevin Keegan.
‘My friendship with Kevin goes back many decades, to our playing days for England. We were lucky enough to develop a real understanding on the field of play and know what each other was thinking.
‘Kevin liked to run and find space on the pitch and I’d try to time my passes to give him the best chance to use his world-class skills to score
‘We roomed together on England duty and Kevin, with his bubbly character, was never shy of making jokes, often at my expense!
‘I recently met up for lunch with Kevin and Jean when they were visiting London. Although it had been a while since we’d last seen each other, we picked up our conversation as if it had been yesterday.
‘That afternoon, reminiscing about our footballing days, is one I will always treasure.’
Former England captain Sir David Beckham posted: ‘Such a sad day to hear the passing of Kevin Keegan.
‘A man that was very kind to me and my family xx. Sending lots of love and thoughts to his family and friends.’
Several of Keegan’s former clubs also shared their own tribute, including Newcastle.
Taking to social media, they said: ‘We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history.
‘Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.’
Liverpool shared their own heartfelt post which read: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan and mourn his loss.
‘His indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history and his legacy will live on. Rest in peace, Kevin. 1951-2026.’
