NFR - Kevin Keegan cancer diagnosis

[WhiteJC]

Keegan reveals stage four cancer diagnosis
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has revealed he has stage four cancer.

Stage four is the most advanced stage of cancer, and means the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

Keegan's family originally disclosed he was battling cancer in January, after the 75-year-old had "further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms" in hospital.

The football world has since rallied around the two-time European footballer of the year, who has been undergoing treatment in recent months.

In one of his first public appearances since the news, Keegan was handed an emotional standing ovation as he returned to Newcastle for a live event.

"I was in a car accident and, through that, I had to have an operation," the ex-Newcastle United forward and manager said on stage at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House.

"Whilst having the scan for the operation, they found out I had cancer. They said they had an absolute top doctor for fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer.

"So I went to meet him. He's a Liverpool supporter so I knew I wouldn't walk alone.

"He said, 'Kevin, this new treatment, I've got a tremendous strike rate'. I said, 'What's your strike rate?' He said, '33%'. I thought it would be 80%, 90%. 33%!

"I'm still here at the moment."

Keegan enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle as a player during an illustrious career.

He later went on to have stints in charge of Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City as a manager.

Keegan is one of the most transformational figures in Newcastle's history, the mastermind behind the Entertainers, who challenged for the Premier League title in 1996.

Such is his status, current head coach Eddie Howe even reached out to Keegan when he got the Newcastle job in 2021 to try and get the inside track on the club and the mindset he needed to succeed.

Howe has just endured a bruising league season after the Magpies slipped to 12th place in the Premier League table.

But Keegan is firmly behind the "first manager to win anything since most of us have been alive" after he lifted the League Cup last season.

An open invitation remains for Keegan to return to St James' Park and, though he was conscious of "intruding", the club legend reiterated he "wants to say goodbye".

Keegan felt he "never got the chance to" after winning his case for constructive dismissal when former owner Mike Ashley was in charge in 2009.

However, he has no thirst for a statue to be placed outside the ground.

"You will have to wait until I die, I'm afraid," he added.

"I'm not against the statues that are outside at all, but it's not something that really means that much to me.

"My statue is the way you receive me."

In a statement, Newcastle sent their "heartfelt support" and "warmest wishes" to Keegan and his family following his diagnosis.

"Kevin holds a unique and cherished place in the history of Newcastle United, and in the hearts of our supporters," it read.

"His passion, leadership and connection to the club and city have shaped some of our most memorable moments.

"Everyone at the club is behind Kevin and sends strength and best wishes to him and his family for the journey ahead.

"Kevin will always be warmly welcomed at St James' Park and we hope to see him again soon."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx21zjnjd2go

[Dodgin]

A tough time for Kevin and his family, wish him well.

[bog]

Very sad news. Good luck Kevin.

[bill taylors apprentice]

Kevin Keegan was a special player and brought joy to us as a manager.

Personally I've always liked his character as a man.

He will have a tough time ahead but I hope he can have some enjoyable moments along the way.

[Twig]

Great bloke, just wish him the very best during tough times ahead.

[HV71]

Like Others I can only wish him the best of luck in his fight . I saw him play for Scunthorpe - and he was so much better than anyone else on the pitch that it was obvious that he wouldn't be there for long .

[Coastwalker]

All the best Kevin.

[Fulham Tup North]

 
All the very best to him and his family.
Puts football into perspective 👏
  

[hovewhite]

Always come across as a good bloke and a good manager so get well soon Kevin.

[bobbo]

Very saddened to hear this always thought of him as a lovely bloke and such a good manager with us . It's gonna be tough but I so hope he beats it .

[I Ronic]

   I wish him and his family well at this moment in time. There's a grit, a determination and a passion in him. That just made you believe something good could happen. I hope it works in his favour this time.
   Also see Kenny Dalglish is also fighting cancer. Best wishes to him and his family as well.

[Coastwalker]

I wish him and his family well at this moment in time. There's a grit, a determination and a passion in him. That just made you believe something good could happen. I hope it works in his favour this time.
   Also see Kenny Dalglish is also fighting cancer. Best wishes to him and his family as well.

Just seen that Kenny Dalglish also fighting it,two greats who played together.Good Wishes to both.

[Dr Know]

I wish him and his family well at this moment in time. There's a grit, a determination and a passion in him. That just made you believe something good could happen. I hope it works in his favour this time.
   Also see Kenny Dalglish is also fighting cancer. Best wishes to him and his family as well.

Just seen that Kenny Dalglish also fighting it,two greats who played together.Good Wishes to both.

When did they play together ? I thought Dalgish replaced Keegan !

[Angus Telford]

Kevin Keegan was a special player and brought joy to us as a manager.

Personally I've always liked his character as a man.

He will have a tough time ahead but I hope he can have some enjoyable moments along the way.

Well put.
Always comes across as one of the true good guys of the game. A humble and very decent man.
Will never forget that spell where the England manager was also managing Division 2 Fulham!
Wish him all the best.

[Steeeeeeeeeed]

When Kevin Keegan resigned from the England job, he always seems such an honest fella, and unusually talking about how important the fans are.

https://youtu.be/o8xCXIQAkJE?si=Tj92o53YIJc-wvTT

Wishing you all the strength you need Kevin,.you gave so much to the game and the fans

[Holders]

Shall never forget the pleasure of shaking his hand in the centre circle at the Cottage. He was a great player and seemed like a nice guy.

[Rupert]

A genuinely lovely man who was a superb ambassador for any club he was associated with. I remember him routinely greeting the disabled fans at the Cottage gate in our Division Two days (when Wilkins was the manager), and one lady from somewhere up north turned up without a coat on a blustery day. Keegan asked her why, and she told him it had been sunny at home, so she had not thought she would need one. He took his own coat off and draped it over her shoulders, asking her not to leave with it as he would get into trouble. She was absolutely gobsmacked. She could not believe he would lend her his coat, but he didn't even think twice.

I hope he gets the same sort of generosity shown to him now, in his hour of need.