Emotional fan tribute to late Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan

A Newcastle United fan broke down in tears during a phone-in on talkSPORT as he paid a heartfelt tribute to club legend Kevin Keegan, who passed away at the age of 75 on Monday after a battle with cancer.

The supporter, named Kevin, called into the Drive show to reminisce about his idol. He described supporting Newcastle for 60 years and following Keegan's journey from his playing days to his two managerial spells. The emotional caller struggled to speak as he recalled the special moments Keegan gave to the club.

Among the memories shared was an encounter at the Great North Run, where Keegan wore a half-Sunderland, half-Newcastle top while pushing a disabled child in a wheelchair. Kevin also recounted speeding down the motorway at 96mph to attend Keegan's final match as a player, only to be let off by police with a warning that any faster would have meant missing the game.

What the fan said

• "I just loved him, and I am really sad that he's gone."
• "He turned Newcastle into a team that everybody loved to see."
• "We played the best football ever. The 'Entertainers' was everybody's second team."
• "I watched so much good football under him, and he did so much for Newcastle."

Keegan, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, joined Newcastle when they were in the second division and helped secure promotion. He later returned as manager in the early 1990s, revitalising the club with an attacking brand of football that earned the nickname 'The Entertainers'.

The heartfelt tribute underscores the deep connection between Keegan and the Newcastle faithful. Fans continue to mourn the loss of a figure widely regarded as the most important in the club's modern history.