Fans raise funds for Kevin Keegan statue in Scunthorpe where career began

Keegan, known to fans as King Kev, enjoyed a glittering career, which saw him win 63 England caps, including 31 as captain, and claim an array of trophies, including two Ballon d'Or awards.

Football fans are fundraising for a statue to honour Kevin Keegan in the place where his career began, following his death from cancer.

The proposed likeness would be placed in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, where the two-time Ballon d'Or winner started his professional career, making more than 100 appearances before moving to Liverpool for £33,000 in 1971.

David Beverley, vice chairman of supporters' group The Iron Trust, who are leading the fundraiser, said the statue would be a "fitting tribute" to King Kev, who went on to become a legend of the game.

He said: "You've got to remember his career started here. He'd been rejected by Coventry City and Doncaster Rovers before Ron Ashman, who again was a legend at the club, saw Kevin, got him signed and then sold him to Liverpool in 1971."

A Glittering Career

Keegan, who died on Monday aged 75, went on to play for Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle during an illustrious playing career, which also included 63 England caps, 31 of them as captain.

His honours include:

• Three League Division One titles
• The European Cup
• Two UEFA Cups
• The FA Cup — all with Liverpool

He later joined Hamburg, where he won the Bundesliga and back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 1978 and 1979 — becoming one of only four English players to win the award, and the only one to do so twice.

Keegan also went on to manage England, as well as Newcastle, Fulham, and Manchester City. Despite his incredible success, he remained a supporter of Scunthorpe and repeatedly returned to help raise funds for the club.

Last Visit and Tributes

His last visit came in December last year, when he attended the club's National League match against Tamworth. He gave a speech in the dressing room before the match, visited the boardroom, and met fans around the ground, including in the club's Iron Bar.

Current players and staff held a minute's applause and laid flowers in tribute to the former Iron player earlier this week. A book of condolence has now been set up at the Attis Arena, where an old quote from Keegan is on permanent display:

"People think that the club that made me was Liverpool, but the club that really made me was Scunthorpe United."

Fans Pay Their Respects

Steven Plumtree, 55, was among those who visited to sign the book of condolence, which is surrounded by pictures of Keegan during his time at the club, as well as a candle. Mr Plumtree recalled watching Keegan play and described his death as a "big loss to Scunthorpe".

He said: "I thought I'd just come down and say goodbye to him in the best way."

Jamie Benson, 28, who also signed the book, said Keegan had "Scunthorpe in his heart".

He said: "He still came to visit people. He was just down to earth and genuine and I think that's why so many people fell in love with him."

Fundraiser for a Statue

The fundraiser states: "The Iron Trust is fundraising for a Kevin Keegan memorial statue at the birthplace of his glittering career, in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. We are raising funds to commemorate the great, late, Kevin Keegan, following the sad news of his passing on the 20th July, aged 75, with a people's statue."