Topic: Kevin Keegan – a Liverpool Hero

[Zappa]

KK Special:-

HEAD OVER HEALS IN LOVE
written by Chris Norman and Pete Spencer

You make me a stranger
that's what time can do
baby you mean ev'rything to me
darling there's no danger
for all that we've been through
that anyone could love you more than me.

I've got news for you babe
all the things you do babe
make me think of how it used to be.
And it looks like I'm falling all over again
head over heals in love with you.
Yes it looks like I'm falling all over again
head over heals in love with you.

Will I get through to you babe
I love ev'rything you do babe,
the same old feeling this time's feeling new.
And it looks like I'm falling all over again
head over heals in love with you.
Yes it looks like I'm falling all over again
head over heals in love with you.
In love with you, in love with you.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Time for another King Kev story.  Although this is Keegan himself talking about Shanks.  It really shows the motivational skills of Shankly and the relationship between the two men, I am sure Keegan looked upon Mr. Shankly as a father figure.

“When I first went to Hamburg I wasn’t really accepted by the players. I was a big name and I had just replaced one of their mates.  They tried to freeze me out and I was unhappy. Anyway, it was the second pre-season friendly game and I had a punch up on the pitch. In fact I knocked the fella unconscious and got sent off.  Of course the pictures were shown on the telly all over Europe and it looked bad with this fella out cold on the floor. It caused a big scandal, I was fined and suspended for eight weeks, and I was really low.

That night I am sitting in my flat with the wife Jean, turning it all over in my mind and I was about to quit and go home, then the phone rings and it was the boss. 

“I’ve just seen the picture of that fella you nearly killed on the television son. Jesus Christ you must have really hit him. Tell me, how did you hit him?” 

Well I hit him with a right and when he was going down I caught him with a left I said.

“Was it an uppercut son? It looked like he had taken a good uppercut, Christ son I’m so proud of you. That must have been one hell of a combination. Keep it up son you are showing them the way out there”.

He made me go through every detail of the fight with him and he was enjoying it so much. When I put the phone down, I just killed myself laughing, he’d cheered me up no end, and the incident didn’t matter anymore.  Before the call I was on the verge of resigning. After it, I had seen it all in a different light and there was no way that I was going to give up.

[revertssd]

Yorky, that was a beautiful piece of writing.  Really moving.

I wasn't even alive when Keegan left Liverpool, but I've seen enough on videos to have a glimmer of appreciation of what it must have been like to see him arrive at the club.  Great read.

[Heighwaytothetop]

My first boyhood Liverpool hero, still have his signed picture on display.  What's good to know is that as you grow up you begin to see the flaws in the those first heroes - but I haven't found any yet for King Kev.  YNWA

[Timbo's Goals]

Time for another King Kev story.  Although this is Keegan himself talking about Shanks.  It really shows the motivational skills of Shankly and the relationship between the two men, I am sure Keegan looked upon Mr. Shankly as a father figure.

“When I first went to Hamburg I wasn’t really accepted by the players. I was a big name and I had just replaced one of their mates.  They tried to freeze me out and I was unhappy. Anyway, it was the second pre-season friendly game and I had a punch up on the pitch. In fact I knocked the fella unconscious and got sent off.  Of course the pictures were shown on the telly all over Europe and it looked bad with this fella out cold on the floor. It caused a big scandal, I was fined and suspended for eight weeks, and I was really low.

That night I am sitting in my flat with the wife Jean, turning it all over in my mind and I was about to quit and go home, then the phone rings and it was the boss. 

“I’ve just seen the picture of that fella you nearly killed on the television son. Jesus Christ you must have really hit him. Tell me, how did you hit him?” 

Well I hit him with a right and when he was going down I caught him with a left I said.

“Was it an uppercut son? It looked like he had taken a good uppercut, Christ son I’m so proud of you. That must have been one hell of a combination. Keep it up son you are showing them the way out there”.

He made me go through every detail of the fight with him and he was enjoying it so much. When I put the phone down, I just killed myself laughing, he’d cheered me up no end, and the incident didn’t matter anymore.  Before the call I was on the verge of resigning. After it, I had seen it all in a different light and there was no way that I was going to give up.

That is just the most wonderful cameo of Shanks. Cheers Veinticinco.  As good as I've ever read for capturing what he was about.     What a one off character he was. You can just imagine KK. Before as despairing as fuck. Then after the call a picture of glee. I wish they sold Shank's magic in bottles. Talk about reaching parts nothing else can.

 

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Should just point out that credit for that Keegan / Shanks story should also go to my anonymous RAWKite source rather than me

[Shanks1965]

I'd love him to be associated with the club. In what capacity, I don't know.

Number 7...?

[Red_in_Holland]

I'd love him to be associated with the club. In what capacity, I don't know.

He will always be associated with this club, lad.   That is what being a Legend is all about


He won't be back here, though

[Red_in_Holland]

Should just point out that credit for that Keegan / Shanks story should also go to my anonymous RAWKite source rather than me

Sounds like an ex-player source there.   I respect his desire for anonymity.. but god its got me intrigued 

[kevinbrodie]

Marvelous article

[Armin]

Should just point out that credit for that Keegan / Shanks story should also go to my anonymous RAWKite source rather than me

It's a great story to go along with the original post.

[OLDIE]

I remember when we lost St.John & Hunt there was a feeling of oh no who will replace them, then in August 71 a young lad from Sc*nthorpe signed,  Peter Thompson & Alun Evans were on the way out a young Steve Heighway had just come through the previous season. All was not lost.

We played Nottingham Forest in the first home game of the season, may have been the first game. 11 mins gone ball in from the right gets a deflection off Keegans right shin and in. Jammy Bastard I heard another Kopite scream with joy. We had our new hero. The Messaih the real one (Shanks) had pulled off a master stroke.

Keegan then became a true legend, his not stop action 100% dedication to the course and his contempt for big name defenders was a joy to behold. He scored 100 goals for us, but it was not his goals that stood him apart from others. In my opinion his contribution OFF the ball was second to non. Yes even better than the Kings.

People say that he never had natural ability and made up for his lack of ability by his work rate. What utter bollocks. Kevin Keegan scored some remarkable goals for LFC. He was great in the air he had a natural ability to time his run and direct the ball into any area of the net.

People fondly recall the Keegan/Toshack partnership and many said at the time that they were telepathic (This was even tested on Kick Off) what many at time forgot to say was they had a unique ability to work as a team within a team. Just as Kenny & Rushie did. The knew each other strengths & weakness's. In my opinion this WAS the greatest ever partnership that we have ever seen. Why? not because of the goals they scored, but because in those days defenders needed to shoot someone before they got spoken to by the ref. As such the environment in which they palyed was harder for strikers, never mind the dirty tactics employed by defenders but the pitches were a fucking disgrace.

Rushie & Kenny had more protection and better playing conditions in which to ply their skills. If Keegan was playing today I honestly believe that he would be worth in excess of £30m

Keegan got slaughted in season 76/77 because he stated at the start of the season that he was going. I can remember being at Derby away and he got dogs abuse then scored the winner.

He was honest then and has ALWAYS been honest since. How many managers tell England to fuck off because he believes that he is not good enough for the job......Non except Keegan.

Keegan will always have a place in scousers hearts, especially those who were lucky enough to see him play.

I can go to my grave saying that I have seen the 2 best and most influential players in the history of LFC..

1. Kenny
2. Kevin Keegan

Kevin Keegan A TRUE LIVERPOOL LEGEND an honest man and I wish him all the luck in the world in whatever he does next.  One day back  at LFC as a PR Director ?

[OLDIE]

A Keegan story.

I was walking back from the chippy in Netherley and turned around and saw Kevin Keegan, I thought fuck no, I am seeing things, I am dreaming. So I went up to see him, just to say hello. I felt like a total dickhead. Anyway he had just made his England debut against Wales and I walked up to him, nervous as fuck and said "Well done against the Welsh Kevin"

"Thanks son"

"What you doin here Kev"

"Playing golf at Lee Park, do you fancy walking up with me"

Fuck me, the greatest player in the fucking world not only spoke to me but asked if I wanted to walk to the golfie with him. Nah I must be still high.

On the way to the golfie all he would say was how Shanks had told him one day he would play for England and how he couldn't believe that he had actually done so. He told me all about how he loved Shanks and the Kop. He knew the old lady with the dark bins (just right to the Kop goal) and loved the way he was treated wherever he went.

I told him that no fucker would believe that I had walked up to the golfie with him and they would think I was sparked out again. He said he was playing with Clem. We got to the golfie, he got the scorecard and signed it he also got Clem to sign it too. Lucky for me a few of the lads seen me walking up to the golfie with him. One mate was a Blue and backed me up totally when I told everyone about it.

I still have the autographs and the memory.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Cracking story that mate.  I can't imagine footballers nowadays walking anywhere.

[toga]

PS... The telepathic tests were on Granda Reports with that auld baldy fella Bob Greaves.
Tosh and KK took turns of holding up cards with shapes on them - squares, circles, stars, etc - while the other guessed what shape was on the card.

I don't think they got one right, but it was hilarious.

Didn't one of them manage to call the cards correctly (by spotting their reflection in a camera lens)?

[Andy G]

Great article Yorky, so well written and mirrored my feelings exactly, but with a few added extras that I had not specifically identified but could totally relate to (the turn amongst others).

I remember going to Melwood and then Anfield as a kid (pre arranged thing to see the players train and look around the trophy room etc).   When the team bus arrived back at Anfield after training, there were about 40 people waiting for autographs which many of the players signed.  Keegan came of the coach and said something along the lines of "I really need to shower first, but if you wait around for 20 minutes or so, I'll sign all the autographs you want".  Everybody was happy with this as it was reasonable.  I was the only kid there as it was a school day (special permission off my Mum - who was also my teacher!!), and as soon as Keegan spotted me, he made a beeline for me, took my autograph book and signed it, then saw my Dad with a camera and asked if we wanted a photo.  I felt like a king.  What a player.  What a man.  Always loved him.

[Fat Scouser]

Didn't one of them manage to call the cards correctly (by spotting their reflection in a camera lens)?

I can't really remember the whole thing mate. I was only a young fella, but I can see them both in me mind's eye right now, pissing themselves laughing.

[Shanks1965]

Didn't one of them manage to call the cards correctly (by spotting their reflection in a camera lens)?

I can't really remember the whole thing mate. I was only a young fella, but I can see them both in me mind's eye right now, pissing themselves laughing.

Actually what happened was they did the test and they didnt do very well at guessing the cards. Then, half way through they started to get them right and for a few turns of the card they scored well above what they should have been able to do by guessing. Afterwards they tried to say half way through they started to get some sort of signal to guess what the other one was thinking. Later on it emerged one of them could see the reflection in the camera lens although I never heard one of them actually admit it.

[OLDIE]

Actually what happened was they did the test and they didnt do very well at guessing the cards. Then, half way through they started to get them right and for a few turns of the card they scored well above what they should have been able to do by guessing. Afterwards they tried to say half way through they started to get some sort of signal to guess what the other one was thinking. Later on it emerged one of them could see the reflection in the camera lens although I never heard one of them actually admit it.

I may be wrong but I seem to recall that Toshack actually admitted it some years back. You are spot on with your memory of what went on though

[its cold in the stands]

I may be wrong but I seem to recall that Toshack actually admitted it some years back. You are spot on with your memory of what went on though

funny that, my memory of it is that they started off getting the first six or seven right then they hardly got another one.
i`m probably wrong, i usually am.
it just shows you though mate how good an understanding they had that a telly station would even dream of setting up an experiment like that.

[OLDIE]

funny that, my memory of it is that they started off getting the first six or seven right then they hardly got another one.
i`m probably wrong, i usually am.
it just shows you though mate how good an understanding they had that a telly station would even dream of setting up an experiment like that.

Well one of us is right then mate  It could well be you.

Its a long time ago, nevertheless your point about how good their understanding was is spot on. They worked as a team within a team, that plus the extrordinary ability of both players made them special.

[RedDub76]

Great post,
Only seen him live once, my first time in the Kop in 76. Brings back some great memories

[Fat Scouser]

Yorky mate. I've just read that piece again. You really should write a book.

[BlackandWhitePaul]

Kevin Keegan is in my heart and my head today.

I'll be on the streets protesting later not in the stadium like some fucking sheep.

[Yorkykopite]

Kevin Keegan is in my heart and my head today.

I'll be on the streets protesting later not in the stadium like some fucking sheep.

Good luck lad.

Yorky mate. I've just read that piece again. You really should write a book.

Cheers Fats. Some great memories in your earlier post (I've still got an ancient bar scarf with those crappy patches sewn into every section). 

I read about the Keegan-Toshack telepathy test but I never saw it. In the book he published just after he left Liverpool Keegan says some interesting things about that partnership. They weren't particularly close off the field apparently. But on the field, there was no other bond like it. Maybe he exaggerates, but he says in the book that they often talked and reassessed things during a game. What looked like instinctive movement was often the result of a mini-conference on the pitch. It was the opposite of telepathy if you like. It was planning and preparation. Very Shanks. Very Rafa.

[Fat Scouser]

Yorky mate, I honestly mean it... you should write a book.

[Barrowboy]

Brilliant post Yorky, a superb read. KK was my first hero, saw my first game in 73 and he was my idol. Got his autograph once before a game when the players just used to park their cars opposite the players entrance and walk to the door. He was surrounded by a horde of young scallies and I just stood there red as a beetroot waiting, my old man giving it "go on son, just ask him". Suddenly he walked straight towards me, probably because I was stood outside the players entrance like, and I said "can I have your autograph please Kevin?" He smiled and patted my head then said "course you can lad" and signed my programme (since lost) which had me buzzing for days. He was one of us, a working class man of the people.

He was the perfect role model for kids, hard-working, dedicated, a fantastic little terrier of a player who would be worth Christ knows how much these days. Never forget his pen against FC Bruges in the UEFA Cup Final 1st leg 1976 when we came from 2-0 down to win 3-2, the boys pen went crazy and some fella with a beard was kissing me and I remember thinking "how the hell did he get in here", he was a fully grown adult! It was a bit like Istanbul in a way, 3 goals in a short space of time to completely turn it around and then he scored the free kick in the 2nd leg that won us the trophy when the UEFA Cup really meant something. Anything was possible when that little bundle of energy and spirit was in a red shirt, he never gave up, a talisman of a great side. Only King Kenny could adequately replace him, a masterstroke by Paisley and probably the most significant signing in the clubs history along with the Souness capture but made necessary by the gaping void that Keegan had left.

I've followed his career closely ever since, from the Super Cup Final when he first came back to Anfield as a player and we slammed Hamburg 6-0, "you shoulda stayed at Anfield" the Kop teased him that night. Always wanted him to succeed as long as it wasn't at Liverpools expense and as said in Yorkys article, he is the only England manager in my lifetime to hold his hands up and admit he wasn't quite up to the job. Quitter? Never in a thousand years! Honest? Yes. Passionate? Very.  Liverpool Legend. That is all.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

For those of you with lfc.tv as part of your Virgin package.  Your chance to see KK destroy Bertie Vogts.  ON RIGHT NOW.

[CRAZY HORSE EMLYN]

great thread, long overdue.
me old man always said, Keegan – top of the pile. He made a good team great.

Said a few time on here already I did some work for him last year, including a big mural of Shankly, and one of Dalglish (the theme was Scottish greats linked by Shanks, so there was a Law panel too). Anyway, this was up at his Soccer Circus place in Glasgow, and I had to go up there loads of times to present work, measure the place up etc... What struck me was that each time I went, he was there coaching all these kids (whilst the dads looked on in awe). He didn't have to do it, the things all computerised and interactive and he employs staff to guide people round the complex, but he was just so enthusiastic about making sure he passed on things to the kids that were coming in, not just skills but some enjoyment of the game. The easiest thing to do would be to sit back and endorse things and say 'I've done my bit' but KK just seems such a genuine character, and still has a youthful determination. He's not everyones cuppa, he's not the funniest guy in the room, in fact he's probably an irony free zone, but he says what he thinks and he does what he does in his own terms.

I'm glad if he's mates with the club again – I was under the impression from things I had read there was still some bad feeling about how he left – he's certainly still got Shankly closest to his heart.

[Alan_X]

For those of you with lfc.tv as part of your Virgin package.  Your chance to see KK destroy Bertie Vogts.  ON RIGHT NOW.

Only caught the second half - superb. I thought of this thread.

[Carrafan]

Brilliant post - thanks.

[Nuisance Value]

Thanks Yorky, Fantastic post mate. I was smiling all the way through it as the memories came back. Kev was like my first love footy wise and I still remember the hurt I felt when he left ( I even scribbled him out of the team photo on my wall - hey I was young at the time). Kenny soothed much of that tho.

To this day I have a huge liking for the guy for his ability, passion and his complete inability to keep his emotions in check.

[Robinred]

...Of course there’s something about Keegan that excites derision. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he appears in public with the emotional controls switched off...

There’s a received wisdom about Keegan that he was not a particularly talented player...

There's another 'received wisdom' that's been hinted at in a few posts - that KK is a bottler who ducks responsibility when the going gets tough.

Hence the derision mentioned above. My own view is that his failing is not one of bottle. Anyone who saw him play knows that's bollocks. But he IS, without question, impulsive. And that impulsiveness, along with the passionate nature and loyalty to his beliefs, has damaged his reputation, particularly amongst cynical hacks (ie - the vast majority).

With 20/20 hindsight I think it's easy to suggest that it was a mistake for KK to have rejoined the Toon. Perhaps it's fairer to say that KK is a throwback to managers of a different era. The game has moved on.

But that statement needs qualification. Keegan's strengths may not include qualities that modern 'academic' coaches in the game bring to the task of coaching and managing. But we should never underestimate how important are the skills of motivation and inspiration. Perhaps the perfect blend for a management team would be a Rafa and someone like Keegan. It would be a pity if he (and by implication, his TYPE) is lost to the game.

Great thread BTW, Yorkie.

[LiverpoolRedRoseFan38]

I heard a story about when KK was about to sign he ask shanks for a extra 5 pounds in his wages , bill sent him out angry but said the cheeky little **** i like him for that sign him now , great player keegan liverpool's first world wide superstar  a legend all right.

[Vinay]

In Mauritius, even today people name their sons Kevin.  That goes to show to what extent this fellah is still a legend.

[RF]

Time for another King Kev story.  Although this is Keegan himself talking about Shanks.  It really shows the motivational skills of Shankly and the relationship between the two men, I am sure Keegan looked upon Mr. Shankly as a father figure.

“When I first went to Hamburg I wasn’t really accepted by the players. I was a big name and I had just replaced one of their mates.  They tried to freeze me out and I was unhappy. Anyway, it was the second pre-season friendly game and I had a punch up on the pitch. In fact I knocked the fella unconscious and got sent off.  Of course the pictures were shown on the telly all over Europe and it looked bad with this fella out cold on the floor. It caused a big scandal, I was fined and suspended for eight weeks, and I was really low.

That night I am sitting in my flat with the wife Jean, turning it all over in my mind and I was about to quit and go home, then the phone rings and it was the boss. 

“I’ve just seen the picture of that fella you nearly killed on the television son. Jesus Christ you must have really hit him. Tell me, how did you hit him?” 

Well I hit him with a right and when he was going down I caught him with a left I said.

“Was it an uppercut son? It looked like he had taken a good uppercut, Christ son I’m so proud of you. That must have been one hell of a combination. Keep it up son you are showing them the way out there”.

He made me go through every detail of the fight with him and he was enjoying it so much. When I put the phone down, I just killed myself laughing, he’d cheered me up no end, and the incident didn’t matter anymore.  Before the call I was on the verge of resigning. After it, I had seen it all in a different light and there was no way that I was going to give up.

Is that from his first book? It's been a long, long time since I've read that see.

Kevin was my hero as a kid. Totally gutted when he left, but as time went on the truth dawned even in me, that  in Dalglish, Paisley had bought an even better player than Kevin, although initally it didn't seem possible.

Still the dreams at the time of the fisticuffs were....Keegan and Dalglish up front for Liverpool. Could it happen and could they play together?

Actually, come to think of it, they were probably my first wet dreams.

[shanklyboy]

When Keegan was the manager of Man City my Mrs wrote to him and asked if he could sign a 40th birthday card for her mate.
In the letter she explained how her mate had idolised him at Liverpool and about all the girly things she used to have with his picture on them. She also explained how she used to sag school and go down to Melwood in the hope that she might catch a glimpse of him. There were all sorts of things that she mentioned from her mates school days and her infatuation with Kevin.

At that time Keegan was in the middle of a bad patch at City and they had critical fixtures coming thick and fast.

He wrote back to my Mrs within a week and included the birthday card for her mate. When I say he wrote back, that's exactly what he did; his own handwriting. He wrote about how much the letter meant to him and how lucky her mate was to have a friend like her. He also included a sealed letter to her mate which she related to my wife later. In it he thanked her for all of her support over the years and how much it meant to him. Told her off for sagging school and mentioned how ashamed she'd be if her kids found out.He spoke specifically about all the little things my Mrs mentioned to him in her letter.

When Keegan left Liverpool, I like many others thought a great deal less of him.However as I got older I accepted what he did, without completely forgiving or understanding his actions. Though watching him from afar made it easier to form a better opinion of him. 

It's easy to see the influence Shankly had on him and how his values mirrored the great mans.
People, particularly the media, like to label him as a bottler. How much further from the truth could that be.
Walking out on England and the reasons he gave took enormous strength and integrity as did his recent departure from Newcastle.

The small tale I have related above must have been repeated by Keegan 1,000s of times to fans all over the world. That personal touch of a hand written letter is synonymous with Shankly and says a great deal about the man.

[Terry de Niro]

I named my eldest after him.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Is that from his first book? It's been a long, long time since I've read that see.

From this book mate:



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Bill-Shankly-Karen-Gill/dp/1905266502/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

[conman]

im not sure too many l'pool supporters dont hold keegan fondly in their hearts,
i think he is amazing and contributed greatly to this clubs fortunes..
was a really asset to us, and its ok to want to face a new challenge like he did when he went to germany..

he is a gent, and an so terribly honest, i think he is really refreshing ...