saw the below and thought I’d share. Not my words. But well written and reflects my experience 100%. We have a new leader now. One is equally follow though a brick wall. He gets us. He knows us. By this new messiah.. boy has he delivered this far. two men… always part of the fabric of our today and our tomorrows… For anyone who grew up kicking a ball around the streets of the north-east town or city, barring Sunderland, in the 80s & 90s, the name Kevin Keegan means something profound. It’s more than just a memory of exciting football; it’s woven into the fabric of our youth, a symbol of hope during times when hope felt like a luxury that was even worse than the cAshley days, honestly. Think back. The late 80s & early 90s weren't exactly the brightest period for Newcastle, were they? The city felt the pinch of tough economic times & the football club often mirrored that gloom. We were drifting, staring into the abyss of the old Third Division. Pride was low, optimism lower. And remember what the world was like then? No internet filling every second. No 24/7 news cycles, no instant transfer rumours on Twitter, no YouTube highlights packages seconds after the whistle. Your connection to the club was raw, visceral. It was the crackle of the radio commentary, the Evening Chronicle spread out on the floor, the pilgrimage to St. James' Park, the chatter in the schoolyard, the posters blu-tacked to your bedroom wall. News travelled slower, but it felt bigger, more significant. Heroes felt larger than life because they weren't diluted by constant online noise. Into this world, in February 1992, walked Kevin Keegan as manager. It wasn't just an appointment; it was an event. This was Keegan – the bubble-permed superstar who'd briefly graced the black & white stripes as a player in the early 80s, giving us a glimpse of stardust. Now he was back, not just to manage, but seemingly, to save us. Instantly, everything changed. It was like someone switched the lights on across the entire city. Forget just saving us from relegation to the third tier (which he did, dramatically), Keegan injected something far more potent: belief. He didn't just talk about winning; he radiated an infectious optimism that swept through the stands & across the region. He signed players who wanted to attack, to entertain. Suddenly, going to the match wasn't a chore or an obligation; it was the only place you wanted to be. For us kids growing up then, Keegan wasn't just the manager. He was the embodiment of excitement. He gave us heroes. Andy Cole banging in goals for fun, Peter Beardsley’s genius, Rob Lee marauding from midfield. Later, the flair of Ginola, the power of Ferdinand, & then the ultimate homecoming – Alan Shearer. Keegan built that. He made Newcastle the place players wanted to come. He created "The Entertainers." That label wasn't just marketing fluff; it was the truth. We might not have won the league (& yes, that still stings), but my word, did we have fun trying? Every game was an event, a guarantee of attacking football, edge-of-your-seat drama, & goals. He made us dream. He made a generation fall head-over-heels in love with Newcastle United, not just because they were our local team, but because they were the most exciting team in the country. In that pre-internet world, Keegan's soundbites weren't lost in digital noise; they echoed. His passion on the touchline, his connection with the fans, his sheer force of personality – it was magnetic. He got #NUFC. He understood the desire for thrilling football, the importance of the club to the city's identity. He wasn't just a boss; he was one of us, but one who could make magic happen. He lit up Newcastle during difficult times. He gave a generation moments of pure, unadulterated joy & pride that trophies alone can't measure. He restored the club's ambition, reminded everyone what Newcastle United could be & created memories that bind us together even now. That's why, for any Newcastle fan who lived through it, Kevin Keegan isn't just a former manager. He's King Kev. The man who brought the magic back, turned the lights on & gave a generation of kids heroes to worship in a world that felt a lot greyer before he arrived. He was & remains, fundamental to the modern soul of #Newcastle.
