The family of England football legend Kevin Keegan has issued a statement expressing their gratitude for the widespread tributes and condolences received following his death last month. Keegan passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with stomach cancer.
His family, including his wife of 51 years, Jean, and their two daughters, Laura Jane and Sarah Marie, stated they have been "truly overwhelmed" by the volume of support. In lieu of flowers, they have requested donations to two charities important to Keegan: the Christie Charity, which supports cancer patients and their families, and Football Families for Justice, an organization aiding former players with neurodegenerative diseases.
A GoFundMe page has been established for donations to these causes.
Keegan's illness was first reported in January, and he revealed in June that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. A private funeral is planned in the coming weeks, and the family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Newcastle United will also host a memorial service at a later date to honor Keegan, who was highly regarded as both a player and a manager on Tyneside.
Keegan enjoyed a distinguished playing career, beginning at Scunthorpe before joining Liverpool in 1971. With Liverpool, he won three First Division titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups, and the European Cup. He was also twice named European Footballer of the Year during his time with German club Hamburg. He later played for Southampton and Newcastle before retiring as a player in 1984. Keegan earned 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals, and participated in the 1982 World Cup.
His managerial career included leading Newcastle United to the Premier League and a close challenge for the title in the mid-1990s. He also managed Fulham, Manchester City, and the England national team.