El Clasico: Kevin Keegan Newcastle The story

Kevin Keegan
Newcastle The story

Keegan joined Newcastle United and spent two seasons there, during which time he was extremely popular with the supporters. He played 78 times, scored 48 goals and helped them to promotion from the Second Division in 1984, within a team which also contained Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Terry McDermott. His contribution to Newcastle's promotion, which ended their six-year absence from the First Division, earned him iconic status on Tyneside. The move of a player of his stature to a Second Division Club was unheard of, which caused euphoria on Tyneside. So much so, the television series, 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' used a newspaper clipping about Keegan moving to Newcastle, to persuade Oz to go back to Tyneside.
Keegan announced his retirement prior to the end of the 1983–1984 season. His last league game came against Brighton and Hove Albion, scoring in a 3–1 victory. Keegan's final appearance for Newcastle came in a friendly against Liverpool some days later, leaving the pitch in a helicopter whilst still dressed in his kit. He moved with his family to Spain, stating that he would never enter football management, although he did carry out occasional work as a football pundit for British television.