St James’ Park will host the two English clubs that loved Kevin Keegan best on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Wor Flags have promised to honour “the most important man” in Newcastle United’s history on the opening day of the Premier League season.
The region remains in mourning after news broke on Monday that legendary former player and manager Keegan passed away aged 75. Thousands of Toon fans have flocked to St James’ Park, with a Newcastle contingent - including Eddie Howe and Jacob Murphy - also paying their respects.
A poignant top-flight curtain-raiser will see the Magpies welcome Liverpool - the two English clubs where Keegan is most revered - on the opening day. While King Kev won his trophies on Merseyside, it was Tyneside who took him most to their hearts.
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Keegan saved the club twice - both as a player and manager - to build the modern club that stands on Strawberry Place today. Even years later, his towering presence proved influential at St James’ Park.
Fan-funded group Wor Flags unveiled a battle cry from Keegan ahead of a 1-1 draw with Burnley in January 2018. His words - aimed towards detested former owner Mike Ashley - read: "Don't ever give up on your club. Keep supporting it, it's your club and trust me, one day you will get your club back and it will be everything you wanted it to be.
“Newcastle United is bigger than anyone. It hurts I know, but just keep going. He is only one man. We are a city, a whole population. Trust me.”
Wor Flags paid tribute to Keegan with a “Messiah” banner across the Gallowgate End just days after his cancer diagnosis became public. The same flag can be seen at his St James’ Park memorial.
Posting on social media, the volunteer group pledged to produce a Keegan display for the opening-day clash against Liverpool. A message read: “We'll be paying tribute to the most important man in Newcastle United's history at our season opener against Liverpool on Sunday 23 August.”