Kevin Keegan

[Dagenham Rover]

Diagnosed with cancer and admitted to hospital     

https://metro.co.uk/2026/01/07/former-england-manager-kevin-keegan-diagnosed-cancer-admitted-hospital-26135759/?utm_social_handle_id=117118184990145&utm_social_post_id=645086763&ito=facebook%7Csocial%7Cmetroukfacebook&ito=facebook%7Csocial%7Cmetroukfacebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawPLh0VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXMUpVV0gxNmJRSHg3Tzdzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHu7FQMQOi38oNC-5cQsLStOVL3SpAlqmm8nupxq2eji8Aw54gyZB35pnhqWh_aem_pdGIFD4O0aSlLN0KqUUXVQ

[Spud]

Sad news, fingers crossed for a full recovery Kev.

[Jimmydee]

He was filmed chanting and singing with the Scunthorpe fans at a social club over Christmas.

[Stocksbridge Owl]

One of my favourite players of all time. His energy levels were outstanding and he was never less than an 8 out of 10 in every game he played. I remember my Grandad meeting him not long after he’d retired and he spoke fondly of Donny and the Rovers (my Grandad and his family were Rovers supporters).

[Alickismyhero]

I had the pleasure of playing against KK at school when he played for St Peters.

He was in the Donny Boys squad but never picked to play. The manager at the time was Ken Hardy.

KK left the area to sign for Coventry but became home sick. He came back to Donny and was sacked for being late for training, KK always denied  he was. Late. 

He then left for Scunny and the rest is history.
All the best Kev I enjoyed following your fantastic career.

I have a very special memory of KK getting me in to the directors box at Chelsea when Liverpool played. I was sitting next to one of the Hollies, name dropper.

[Stocksbridge Owl]

I had the pleasure of playing against KK at school when he played for St Peters.

He was in the Donny Boys squad but never picked to play. The manager at the time was Ken Hardy.

KK left the area to sign for Coventry but became home sick. He came back to Donny and was sacked for being late for training, KK always denied  he was. Late. 

He then left for Scunny and the rest is history.
All the best Kev I enjoyed following your fantastic career.

I have a very special memory of KK getting me in to the directors box at Chelsea when Liverpool played. I was sitting next to one of the Hollies, name dropper.

Brilliant post.

[Alickismyhero]

What I forgot to say was that Kev always referred to my dad as "Uncle George"

During a conversation with my dad and Kev my dad said that he had always wanted to watch a cup final at Wembley. Kev said that the first ticket I get you can have it.

Kev duly obliged when he was at Scunny and Dad went to Wembley.

Thats the kind of man KK is, one of the best.

[drfcsteve]

After briefly living in Newcastle the love the people up there have for him is something else. They will recognise a donny accent across a room just because it reminds them of King Kev.

[drfchound]

One of Donny finest for sure.
Certainly one of my favourite players.
I went to school at the same time as him.
It was 8.45am.
Get well soon Kevin.

[Metalmicky]

One of Donny finest for sure.
Certainly one of my favourite players.
I went to school at the same time as him.
It was 8.45am.
Get well soon Kevin.

 

He was also a favourite of mine - him and Tosh at Liverpool were phenomenal....

[roversdude]

Having grown up not far from the Bullring we were all KK fans

[Petche]

It would be great to have him as guest of honour on Saturday.

[BillyStubbsTears]

He was one of the first of the modern style of footballer, physique-wise. If you watch that Charity Shield match where he and Bremner got sent off and both took their shirts off Keegan looked like a modern player while Bremner had a couple of inches of fat round his stomach.

Apparently when he first got changed at Anfield, Bill Shankley was astonished at his physique. Said he looked like a middleweight boxer. And that really didn't happen much in those days.


Then of course there was Keegan's remorseless competitive spirit. Even on Superstars when he had that mad crash on the bike and flayed the skin off his bones.



(This, by the way, is why I always insist that the best players from the 60s and 70s who didn't have today's players' physiques would not get a touch in today's game. Keegan was a phenomenon in those days, mainly because he was so fit, rather than being a superlatively talented player. Today, every player in National League North has his levels of fitness. Of course, many of the best players from yesteryear would have got to the today's fitness levels with modern coaching. But we'll never know if their minds and coordination would have been up to the remorseless speed of today's game. So all you can really do is compare today's players playing today's game, with yesterday's playing yesterday's game. And they are literally playing a different game. Keegan was one of the ones who laid the path to modern football. And I know it winds folk up, but it's true none the less. That none of the 1970 Brazil side, playing as they did then, would get on our bench today.)

[PDX_Rover]

I had the pleasure of playing against KK at school when he played for St Peters.

He was in the Donny Boys squad but never picked to play. The manager at the time was Ken Hardy.

KK left the area to sign for Coventry but became home sick. He came back to Donny and was sacked for being late for training, KK always denied  he was. Late. 

He then left for Scunny and the rest is history.
All the best Kev I enjoyed following your fantastic career.

I have a very special memory of KK getting me in to the directors box at Chelsea when Liverpool played. I was sitting next to one of the Hollies, name dropper.

He played in that St. Peter’s team with two of my uncles, Peter Carlin and Paddy Moyles. He was good friends with them and used to come round to my Nanna and Grandad’s after school. My granddad was caretaker of St. Peter’s at the time. He was keen on my auntie Sue but she ended up marrying Paddy (hence he became my uncle).

Later he played Sunday league with my Dad before he signed for Scunny. I can remember being a nipper and my Dad taking me to the fair at the racecourse just after KK signed for Liverpool and he was chatting with my Dad and picked me up. Funny what you remember.

Hope he makes a recovery. Brilliant player.

[drfchound]

PDX, I have sent you a PM.

[danumdon]

Always remember starting at St Pete's and seeing that massive picture of KK on the wall in the main reception for the first time.

Made you think just what could be achieved even if you were just a kid from Donny.

Fantastic man as well as a superb player, stay strong Kev.

[belton rover]

I had the pleasure of playing against KK at school when he played for St Peters.

He was in the Donny Boys squad but never picked to play. The manager at the time was Ken Hardy.

KK left the area to sign for Coventry but became home sick. He came back to Donny and was sacked for being late for training, KK always denied  he was. Late. 

He then left for Scunny and the rest is history.
All the best Kev I enjoyed following your fantastic career.

I have a very special memory of KK getting me in to the directors box at Chelsea when Liverpool played. I was sitting next to one of the Hollies, name dropper.

He played in that St. Peter’s team with two of my uncles, Peter Carlin and Paddy Moyles. He was good friends with them and used to come round to my Nanna and Grandad’s after school. My granddad was caretaker of St. Peter’s at the time. He was keen on my auntie Sue but she ended up marrying Paddy (hence he became my uncle).

Later he played Sunday league with my Dad before he signed for Scunny. I can remember being a nipper and my Dad taking me to the fair at the racecourse just after KK signed for Liverpool and he was chatting with my Dad and picked me up. Funny what you remember.

Hope he makes a recovery. Brilliant player.

PDX, I remember Mr Carlin who was caretaker at Hawthorn Juniors when I was there and Danny Carlin who always seemed to win the Hawthorn Club walking race. I’m assuming it’s the same family?

[Donnywolf]

Who else , I ask you , would be born on Valentine's Day ? 

He and I almost share the same Birthday and as my claim to fame I used to say " I told my Mother , you brought the wrong one home , and she never once disagreed with me "

Then when I read his autobiography it stated he was born at home in Armthorpe so that blew my claim to fame out of the water


My second claim to fame was at 11 I played for my Stainy School Team and only 2 of us were ever present for all 14 games. We played Armthorpe away and drew 3 3 and from right half I played the best pass of my "career" for one of our goals , so I used to say being born days apart  I played against Kk but then in recent years BB I think it was said KK went to was it St Xaviers School so that buggered that one up too

I was there at Anfield for the 2 2 draw but always say Doncaster scored all 4 goals as KK got their 2

I've had my health scare last February and you know what ? I would love it , absolutely LOVE IT if King Kev beats his

[Donnyjim]

His autobiography is a good read, where he grew up and how he ended up at Scunny. Terrific long distance runner as well. Contrary to popular belief, never had a trial with Rovers.

[Donnywolf]

So , we didnt turn him down for being too small

[Donnyjim]

So , we didnt turn him down for being too small

That’s correct. Never had a trial.

[Silkscarf]

He was a Rovers fan that’s certain and ‘Local Hero’ for sure.

Unfortunately our recruitment team managed to drop a clanger there.

[Avsuptem]

He was a Rovers fan that’s certain and ‘Local Hero’ for sure.

Unfortunately our recruitment team managed to drop a clanger there.

Plus ca change

[Alickismyhero]

              A bast from the past.......

I remember KK getting his photo in the local paper cleaning cars to earn money to.......

                  SUPPORT DONNY

We missed out on him.

All the best Kev

[Donnywolf]

In his book he used to look after Horses I seem to remember at Glasgow Paddocks

Im sure he earned money doing that but ages since I read the book

Think Glasgow Paddocks was down Chequer Road , a big open space behind the houses but someone will tell me ! Us

[Bentley Bullet]

Glasgow Paddocks was where the police station car park is in Waterdale.

[BobG]

Used to be a big fair there in back in the 50's and before I believe

BobG

[Lesonthewest]

Absolutely loved watching him play, brilliant player. Good luck Kev.

[BobG]

Nags Head in town over the road from Hodgson & Hepworth was his pub. Used to turn up there mid to late evening on Saturday nights after getting back from Anfield

BobG

[Bentley Bullet]

Nags Head in town over the road from Hodgson & Hepworth was his pub. Used to turn up there mid to late evening on Saturday nights after getting back from Anfield

BobG

You know, Bob, you fondly reminisce about Donny and the old days like anyone who no longer lives here rightly should, but if it is any consolation, you're not missing now't, because those of us who still live here reminisce just the same about the old days.

To put it mildly, Donny's a bit shit now since it had its heart and soul ripped out.