Top News

St James' Park is set for a deeply emotional afternoon as Newcastle United and Liverpool get ready to pay a joint tribute to the legendary Kevin Keegan. The former England manager and two-time Ballon d'Or winner died in July at the age of 75, leaving behind a lasting legacy at two of English football's most historic clubs.

A joint mark of respect for a dual legend

In a striking show of unity between two of English football's most celebrated institutions, players from Newcastle United and Liverpool will honour Keegan's memory together this Sunday. During the pre-match warm-up at St James' Park, every player from both squads will go out on to the pitch wearing training tops carrying 'Keegan 7' on the back.

The tributes will also be visible at the heart of the pitch, where a huge mosaic has been created using many of the shirts first placed outside the stadium by grieving supporters. That mosaic will be displayed in the centre circle before kick-off, representing the powerful bond between the man fondly known as 'King Kev' and the fans who loved him.

Icons return to Tyneside for memorial service

The club has confirmed that Kevin's wife, Jean Keegan, and her family will attend the match as guests of honour, along with a star-studded group of former players who flourished under his management, including Alan Shearer, Faustino Asprilla, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand and other important members of his iconic teams.

Before the opening whistle, everyone inside the ground will observe a minute's applause, giving both home and away supporters the chance to celebrate Keegan's life and achievements. To mark the occasion further, Keegan will appear on the front cover of the matchday programme.

Supporter-led displays and visual spectacles

The atmosphere inside St James' Park will be lifted further by the efforts of Wor Flags, the well-known supporter-led group famous for its huge choreographed displays. They are preparing a full-stadium takeover to provide a striking visual backdrop to the day's events, ensuring the ground is filled with imagery dedicated to the man who managed the club on two separate occasions.

Beyond the banners and flags, the club has handled the thousands of floral tributes left by supporters in a meaningful and sustainable manner. The flowers that lined the perimeter of the stadium in late July have been turned into compost, which has since been spread across the club's training pitches, quite literally helping to nourish the ground for future generations of players.

Logistical updates for fans attending the match

Newcastle United have urged all supporters to reach the stadium much earlier than usual this Sunday so they do not miss the start of the ceremonies. With tributes planned on such a large scale and an emotional atmosphere expected, the club wants the stands to be full well before the scheduled 4:30pm kick-off.

During his glittering six-year spell at Anfield in the 1970s, Keegan established himself as one of Liverpool's all-time greats. He guided the Reds to an outstanding collection of trophies, winning three First Division titles, one European Cup, one FA Cup and two UEFA Cups before completing his high-profile move to Hamburg.