Just got the new Eastern Daily Press book on the history of Norwich City, "A nostalgic look at a century of the club", and thought I would like to share this with you, the older 606er's will probably appreciate it more. A section about Kevin Keelan, Page 116: His quote! "At times I took a lot of stick for being aggressive, but I wouldn't let those people down [Norwich fans], and I did some silly things in my time. There was a fella by the name of Robson who played for Northampton. He kept on at me when I caught the ball, so I tucked it under one arm and just punched him with the other". Norwich City goalkeeping legend Kevin Keelan talking to the B.B.C., prior to a return visit to Carrow Road in May 2008, about the way he played the game. I'm just so privileged to have seen him play, my all time NCFC Hero. ILD OTBC
Certainly not old enough to have seen him play, but I am aware of his legendary status at Norwich. Brilliant quote from him. Thanks for this ILD!
First game I saw was against Cardiff in '67. I was only 7 but I remember him making a flying save to tip one over the bar. From that day I was hooked. He was superb.
I can't remember the exact match, but it was against Ipswich mid-week. The atmosphere was electric, Trevor Whymark hit a bullet header towards goal from about 6 yards out, somehow KK dived and flipped the ball over the bar. Everyone in the ground just fell silent for about 10 seconds, 'What the fcuk happened there ? How did he save that ? ' My all time legend
Yes agree with all the above, hero 100%. He was not the most elegant of keepers, and he would save a shot with any part of his body as long as he kept it out. I suppose one of the most famous performances was when he and Duncan Forbes played Tottenham in the League Cup final -the rest of the team never really showed up. The one comic moment I remember was a home game with Blackpool in the early 70's (I think). We won 5-1 but the goal we gave away was our Kevin rolling the ball out badly to the full back who was easily dispossessed and then the striker slotted home quite easily. When they showed it the following day on the telly, the camera missed the main faux pas and you just saw the ball rolling in in front of a very subdued Barclay. I guess that was the other thing about Kevin, he was unpredictable but totally Norwich through and through - great servant!
He was totally immense and not someone to mess with but goalies were a different breed back in the 70's as the game was far more physical for them.
Anyone who was at Old Trafford in 1967 to see us beat Manure 2-1 in the FA Cup will have witnessed one of the great goalkeeping performances. It doesn't what you save it with, its saving it that counts. The greatest Norwich player ever. Most polls are voted on by people who have been going for the last 5-10 years only and great players often miss out because the majority never saw them play.
remember a match at anfield where the whole kop stood on their feet and gave him prolonged applause for his performance. true legend.
The kind of answer I expected! Then do it on your board then, ffs. This is a thread about a hero of mine, not for idle chit-chat by a load of binners. Thanks.
