KEEGAN, Joseph Kevin O.B.E.
Role: Striker & Manager 1982-1984, 1992-1997
5' 8"
b. Armthorpe, nr Doncaster, 14th February 1951

CAREER:
Enfield House YC/Peglers Brass Works/Lonsdale Hotel/Scunthorpe United app Dec 1967, pro Dec 1968/Liverpool May 1971 �33,000/SV Hamburg(Germany) June 1977 �500,000/Southampton July 1980 �400,000/UNITED Aug 1982 �100,000/ Retired May 1984/UNITED manager Feb 1992./Resigned January 1997/Fulham Chief Operating Officer September 1997 Debut v Queens Park Rangers (h) 28/8/82 (scored once)
When Kevin Keegan first joined United during the summer of 1982, the whole of Tyneside was set alight with Keegan-mania. Newcastle were languishing in the Second Division at the time, and manager Arthur Cox saw the former England skipper, and one of the game's superstars, as the man to lead the Magpies back to Division One. From Geordie stock, Keegan's father hailed from Hetton-le-Hole, while his grandfather was a past mine disaster hero at West Stanley, Keegan took immediately to Tyneside and its supporters. With his unique charisma, a special bond between player and fan resulted and helped significantly in revitalising Tyneside's soccer fortunes. After being rejected following trials at Coventry, the dynamic Keegan developed into a world-class star at Liverpool and for England, skippering his country 31 times and scoring 21 goals in his 63 appearances. Operating in midfield or up front, Kevin possessed control, awareness and the ability to create and combine with others as well as a deadly finish. He had lots of courage and was a hard worker on the pitch, appearing on almost 800 occasions in senior football netting 274 goals. Captain of the black'n'whites, he took Newcastle to promotion then announced his retirement, afterwards being employed in television and promotion work while residing for much of the time in Marbella and Hampshire. Then, with the Magpies in a dire predicament as the club's centenary year opened, he was appointed manager at St James Park - his first taste of the football hot-seat. Teaming up with new Chairman, Sir John Hall, the duo began to turn Newcastle United into one of the country's megaclubs. Keegan again acted as a catalyst and United's fans rallied to the call. His judgement as a manager was first-class and he fashioned a series of celebrated line-ups packed with players comfortable on the ball and who wished to play the game in an entertaining fashion. The First Division Championship was achieved in style and then the Premiership was taken by storm. Newcastle had been transformed into a club to rival Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal as England's best. But after his side blew a 10-point lead to hand Manchester United the title in 1996, Keegan stunned the North East by resigning in January 1997 declaring that he had taken Newcastle as far as he could and maintained he had no interest in returning to the game. However the pull of football was to strong for Kevin and he returned to the game in September 1997 as Chief Operating Officer at Fulham as he attempts to engineer a Fulham revival. Kevin Keegan remains United's finest ever signing, both as a player and as a manager. Keegan was also a successful pop singer, recording three singles during the seventies. For his services to soccer during his playing career, he was awarded the OBE in 1982. To many in the game he epitomises everything that a professional footballer and manager should be.
Appearances:
FL: 78 apps. 48 gls.
FAC: 3 apps. 0 gls.
FLC: 4 apps. 1 gl.
Total: 85 apps. 49 gls.

Honours:
63 Eng caps 1973-82/1 unoff Eng app. 1976/
5 Eng u23 caps 1972/FL champs 1973, 1976, 1977/FL div 1 champs 1993(m)/FL div 2 prom 1984/FAC winner 1974/FAC finalist 1977/EC winner 1977/EC finalist 1980/ UEFAC winner 1973, 1976/Bundesliga champs 1979/Footballer-of-the-Year 1976(FWA), 1982(PFA)/European Footballer-of-the-Year 1978, 1979/W.Ge