Kevin Keegan awarded Newcastle's highest civic honour posthumously

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 17:29 · Archive

Kevin Keegan will become the first person to be posthumously awarded the Freedom of Newcastle, following his death in July.

Kevin Keegan, the former Newcastle United player and manager, will become the first person to be posthumously awarded Newcastle's Freedom of the City, the council's highest civic honour. He died in July aged 75 following a cancer diagnosis. Newcastle City Council confirmed Keegan had been due to receive the award earlier this year, but it was not formally agreed before his death.

As a player, Keegan joined Newcastle in 1982 and scored 48 goals in 78 games, helping secure the club's promotion back to the First Division. He returned as manager in 1992 and led Newcastle into the Premier League, where his team came close to winning the title.

Councillors will be asked to approve the award at a special meeting on 4 November. Council leader Colin Ferguson said the honour would "serve as a lasting tribute to a man who meant so much to the city and whose legacy will continue to inspire people for many years to come". He noted the "enormous amount of tributes" left outside St James' Park following Keegan's death, including flowers, cards, shirts and scarves.

Ferguson added that the impact Keegan had on the city was evident "not only to football fans" and that he had been important to Newcastle "on both occasions at a time when it was needed the most". Keegan went on to manage Fulham, Manchester City and England after leaving Newcastle, before returning for a second spell in charge at St James' Park in 2008.

How it is being reported

• Kevin Keegan to be awarded Freedom of Newcastle in 'lasting tribute' to NUFC iconKevin Keegan is set to become the first person to be posthumously awarded Newcastle's highest civic honour, in recognition of his enormous impact on the cityChronicleLive · 27 Oct, 17:01
• 'A true legacy' - Newcastle United CEO reacts as Kevin Keegan set to receive city's highest honourNewcastle City Council is set to honour Kevin Keegan following his passing earlier this year.Shields Gazette · 27 Oct, 17:00
• Kevin Keegan awarded Newcastle's highest honourKeegan will become the first person to be posthumously awarded Newcastle’s Freedom of the City.BBC Tyne And Wear · 27 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Kevin Keegan · Newcastle United · Newcastle · Colin Ferguson

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