It has been several months since we lost one of the most kind and humble people I have ever known. I was in Italy earlier this year, travelling on a tram in Florence toward the airport to return home from a holiday when a close friend let me know the news that Kevin had sadly passed away.
Being in the Arsenal online video and media space, I had come to know Kevin initially through YouTube. He came on The Gooner Talk as a guest and through our mutual friend and host of the Highbury Squad Sophie Nicolau; we also had the pleasure of doing a live podcast on the rooftop of the Hippodrome in London. Every time I met up with Kevin he brought such joy to any space he was in.
The first time was at the Twelve Pins after Arsenal’s win over Watford in which Petr Cech had finally saved a penalty for Arsenal, against Troy Deeney, the pantomime villain, of all people. Naturally, we had a good laugh about that in the short breaks he got from being asked for selfies with fans inside the pub which he never shied away from putting a smile on supporters’ faces.
This kind and giving nature was ingrained into Kevin. At the Hippodrome he handed out official Arsenal Zenith coins to members of the audience and encouraged those in attendance to come up after, speak with him and make time to chat about the love for Arsenal everyone mutually shared.
As I moved into the media scene with **football.london**, I would see Kevin more frequently as he conducted punditry work for different broadcasters. I remember walking into the relatively small St. James' Park press lounge to be greeted by the widespread arms and the bellowing "Tom!" which would be quickly followed by an introduction to all the presenters and crew he would be working with that day.
You always felt like Kevin had your back, that he would do whatever was in his power to support you. Be that making connections, coming on shows out of the kindness of heart or just sharing a drink with you - which you could never pay for yourself, unless you did so without telling him.
I know that I am a better person just as a result of knowing, let alone being friends with, Kevin. His energy was so infectious and the way he spoke not just about football but general life stuff would make you listen.
Ahead of Arsenal's match with Everton on Saturday afternoon, plans are in place to celebrate the life of Super Kev. The Kevin Campbell Foundation was set up in the wake of his passing to help continue the charitable work that Kevin did during his life and are involved in the day's events.
If you are reading this and attending today's match, please get to the game earlier than usual and take your seats as both clubs will be paying tribute in the build-up to the game. If you're not able to attend, spare a thought as we remember a truly lovely man.