Football fans are fundraising for a statue to honour Kevin Keegan in the place he began his career after his death from cancer. The proposed likeness would be placed in Scunthorpe, North Lincs, where the two-time Ballon-D'Or winner began his career, making more than 100 appearances, before moving to Liverpool for £33,000 in 1971.
David Beverley, vice chairman of supporters group The Iron Trust, who are leading the fundraiser, said the statue would be a "fitting tribute" to King Kev, who went on to become a legend of the game.
"You've got to remember his career started here. He'd been rejected by Coventry City and Doncaster Rovers before Ron Ashman, who again was a legend at the club, saw Kevin, got him signed and then sold him to Liverpool in 1971."
Keegan, who died on Monday aged 75, also went on to play for Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle during an illustrious playing career, which also included 63 England caps, including 31 as captain. He won three league Division One titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup with Liverpool. He later joined Hamburg, where he won the Bundesliga and back-to-back Ballons d’Ors in 1978 and 1979 – becoming one of only four English players to win the award, and the only one to do it twice.
He also went on to manage England, as well as Newcastle, Fulham, and Manchester City, but despite his incredible success, Keegan still remained a supporter of Scunthorpe and repeatedly returned there to help raise funds. His last visit came in December last year when he attended the club's National League match against Tamworth, even giving a speech in the dressing room before the match, visiting the boardroom and meeting fans around the ground, including in the club's Iron Bar.
Current players and staff held a minute's applause and laid flowers in tribute to the former Iron player there earlier this week.
And a book of condolence has now been set up at the Attis Arena, where an old quote from Keegan saying: "People think that the club that made me was Liverpool, but the club that really made me was Scunthorpe United", is on permanent display.
Steven Plumtree, 55, was among those who visited to sign the book of condolence, which is surrounded by pictures of Keegan during his time playing at the club, as well as a candle. Mr Plumtree recalled watching Keegan play for the club and described his death as a "big loss to Scunthorpe".
"I thought I'd just come down and say goodbye to him in the best way."
Jamie Benson, 28, who also signed the book, said Keegan had "Scunthorpe in his heart".
"He still came to visit people. He was just down to earth and genuine and I think that's why so many people fell in love with him."
The fundraiser says:
"The Iron Trust is fundraising for a Kevin Keegan memorial statue at the birthplace of his glittering career, in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. We are raising funds to commemorate the great, late, Kevin Keegan, following the sad news of his passing on the 20th July, aged 75, with a people's memorial and statue to be located in Scunthorpe, the home of the Iron, the club at which Kevin began his football career."
It adds:
"The Iron Trust invites fans of Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg SV, Southampton and Newcastle, as well as football fans around the world to donate towards a lasting memorial at the birthplace of King Kev's extraordinary football career."
To contribute to the fundraiser, click here.
