Newcastle United and Liverpool have joined forces as part of a tribute to Kevin Keegan ahead of their Premier League opener at St James’ Park on August 23.
Newcastle supporters group, Wor Flags, have been working alongside Spion Kop 1906 for a flag display ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener. And now a sneak peak of the display has been shared online.
Last month, the world of football was in mourning following Keegan’s passing at age 75 following a battle with cancer. Keegan achieved legendary status at both Liverpool and Newcastle during his career.
A private funeral took place for Kevin Keegan.placeholder image
A private funeral took place for Kevin Keegan. | Iconic
The former England forward made over 300 appearances for the Reds, scoring 100 goals, winning three league titles, a European Cup, an FA Cup and two UEFA Cups in the process. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner then ended his professional playing career at Newcastle in the second division before returning as manager to help save the club from relegation and led them to the top of English football within a few seasons.
Keegan is widely regarded as one of, if not the ‘most important’ individuals in Newcastle’s modern history.
Ahead of Sunday’s match at St James’ Park, Wor Flags shared an image of St James’ Park teasing the display from the Leazes Stand, which includes the travelling Liverpool away section. Keegan’s name in red and white, Liverpool’s colours, will be displayed from the away section at St James’ Park along with a No. 7 in the lower section of the Leazes Stand to mark Keegan’s number worn at both clubs as a player.
Wor Flags accompanied the post with the message: “Things are beginning to take shape.”
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A Wor Flags spokesperson told The Gazette: “Our volunteers are working incredibly hard to ensure every single seat in the ground will be able to take part in our display on Sunday.
“We all know how much Kevin Keegan meant to supporters and his importance in the history of our club cannot be overstated. We want everyone in the ground to be able to play their part as we all pay our respects to an incredible man.
“If you’d like to donate you can do so on our website: worflags.org.uk/donate/.”
All supporters in attendance at St James’ Park will be given a card allocated to their seat which they will be instructed to raise by the PA announcer.
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Newcastle United head coach looks ahead to ‘really special’ display
Despite the well-documented animosity between the two clubs, with Sunday’s match also marking the return of Alexander Isak to St James’ Park for the first time since move to Liverpool last summer, the display marks a bond that extends beyond football.
And Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle believes it will be a ‘really special’ occasion.
“I think that's really, really special, and you will feel that on Sunday,” Jaissle said about the planned Keegan tribute. “Legend, you cannot really describe what he did for our club, that is for sure a reason why the club is right now on that level, what he did, what he was building.
“Then also, of course, the fact that he was somehow of the same legend in Liverpool, so this combination is special by itself, and again, I think everyone in the stadium will show their tribute for him on Sunday, and it will be a nice honour for him.”
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