A FORMER director of Hyde United Football Club has paid his own touching tribute to Kevin Keegan following his death.
Martin Knowles shared his memories of spending time with the former England captain and manager when Manchester City’s reserves played their home fixtures at the club’s stadium.
He has fondly remembered the football icon not only for his extraordinary achievements on the pitch, but for the humility and kindness he showed during his time at the Project Solar Stadium.
Keegan’s death at the age of 75 was announced on Monday, July 20, with his family confirming he had passed away seven weeks after revealing he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
One of the most decorated players in English football history, Keegan enjoyed a glittering playing career with clubs including Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United, before later managing Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.
‘Treated everyone with genuine respect’
Despite being one of English football’s greatest-ever figures, Kevin would arrive at Hyde’s ground without any fuss or fanfare, with Martin often the only person in the room to greet him before matches.
“I was the lucky so and so who had the privilege before the game to greet him, make him a cup of tea and hand him his favourite biscuit when there was usually only myself and Kevin in the room,” Martin said.
“This was a man who won the Ballon d’Or twice, captained and managed England, lifted all the major domestic and European trophies with Liverpool, won the Bundesliga title with Hamburg and inspired a generation at Newcastle United, yet he walked into our directors’ room with no ego, no entourage, and no sense of superiority.
“He arrived early, chatted warmly with staff, and treated everyone with genuine respect.”
For Martin, meeting Keegan was particularly special after growing up admiring the footballing great.
“As a young lad I had always admired Kevin Keegan both as a footballer and a person,” he said.
“I even had my hair permed just like he had, that’s how much he meant to me growing up. To go from copying his hairstyle to sharing cups of tea and biscuits with him at Hyde United felt surreal in the best possible way, chatting to him as though I had known him for years.
“They say that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, but I’m glad that I met mine.”
‘Kevin showed a real interest in Hyde United’
During their conversations, Martin discovered more about the man behind the famous name, including that his first name was not actually Kevin.
“One day he told me that his first name wasn’t Kevin at all, but Joe (Joseph), named after his father,” Martin recalled.
“Another time, during a chat at Ewen Fields, I said to him, ‘I bet when you were younger at Scunthorpe United, you practised signing your autograph.’
“He smiled and replied, ‘Yes, I really did exactly that.’ Even after reaching the very pinnacle of world football, he carried the same modesty he had as a young lad dreaming big.”
Martin also highlighted the former England manager’s generosity towards Hyde United, revealing that Keegan offered support to the club during a difficult financial period.
“Kevin showed a real interest in Hyde United, our volunteers, our supporters and our challenges,” he said.
“When he learned the club was struggling financially, without being asked he quietly stepped in to help – no publicity, no fuss, just kindness and generosity offered privately and from the heart.”
Keegan’s legacy will forever be remembered across football, but at Hyde United, Martin says he will also be remembered for the way he made people feel.
“Kevin Keegan will always be remembered as a giant of the game, but at Hyde United, we will also remember the man who treated our club, and the people within it, with warmth, generosity, respect and heart.”
Paying tribute on behalf of the club, Martin added: “I would extend our deepest condolences to Kevin Keegan’s family, friends, and all who knew him. His legacy will forever remain in our hearts, and his memory will continue to inspire us all. He will be missed.”