Scunthorpe pays tribute to 'iconic' Kevin Keegan

Scunthorpe United has paid tributes to former England captain and player Kevin Keegan who has died aged 75.

Keegan, one of English football's most decorated players, started his career with the Iron and made more than 100 appearances for the club between 1968 and 1971.

His family confirmed his death earlier, weeks after Keegan himself revealed he had stage four cancer.

Michelle Harness, co-owner of Scunthorpe United, said: "He was the iconic player of the club."

Harness confirmed Scunthorpe United would open a book of condolence in Keegan's memory and "plan something special" following his death.

She recalled being "lucky enough" to meet the double Ballon d'Or winner, describing him as "kind" and said he "just loved being at the club".

Harness added: "He told me he always watched the results or looked for our results on a Sunday."

Keegan last visited the Iron in December when Scunthorpe played Tamworth and delivered a motivational speech to the players.

"As a special thing he came with me to the players' dressing room and Kevin did the pre-match talk," Harness said.

"That was inspiring for them. A lot of the players know everything he has done in football."

John Buttrick, who grew up in Garthorpe, North Lincolnshire, recalled watching Keegan play for the Iron and said he was a "wonderful guy" and had "always been his hero".

Buttrick, who founded the Hull and East Yorkshire Children's University, recalled asking Keegan to be a guest speaker at a conference for the charity just three weeks before he became England manager.

"Keegan held up his first football boots and it was those with nails coming out of the studs, made of solid leather," Buttrick said.

"He said 'look boys and girls, look what I've achieved. It's all about your attitude'.

"All the kids' eyes were sticking out like saucers, just hanging on his every word."

As a player, Keegan won major honours with Liverpool, claiming three league titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup.

He helped Hamburg win the Bundesliga and won back-to-back Ballons d'Or in 1978 and 1979. He remains one of only four English players to have won the award to date.

On the international stage, Keegan scored 21 goals in 63 games for England between 1972 and 1982, and went on to manage them from February 1999 until October 2000.

He also managed Newcastle United, Fulham and Manchester City.

But, with a nod to the start of his career, a quote from Keegan sits proudly on the walls at Glanford Park.

It reads: "People think that the club that made me was Liverpool, but the club that really made me was Scunthorpe United."

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