Tokoh Newcastle Urgensi Patung Penghormatan Kevin Keegan

Sejumlah figur penting Newcastle United, termasuk Alan Shearer serta pasangan presenter Ant dan Dec, mendesak pendirian patung legenda klub Kevin Keegan di Stadion St James' Park setelah mendiang tutup usia pada umur 75 tahun akibat kanker.

Gelombang penghormatan terus mengalir untuk sosok yang pernah menjadi pemain dan manajer dalam tiga periode berbeda di Tyneside tersebut. Hasil jajak pendapat media lokal Chronicle Live menunjukkan sebanyak 90 persen pembaca mendukung pembangunan monumen permanen bagi Keegan.

Saat ini, hanya ada tiga patung di luar Stadion St James' Park, yakni patung Sir Bobby Robson, Jackie Milburn, dan Alan Shearer. Kontribusi Keegan dinilai sangat krusial dalam meletakkan fondasi kejayaan Newcastle United modern.

"I would love it if Kevin Keegan got a statue at St James’ Park. I think if there was ever another statue to be built at Newcastle, then it would have to be for Kevin Keegan after what he's done for the football club. I mean, jeez, Eddie can't be far away as well." kata Alan Shearer, Duta Betfair.

Shearer menambahkan bahwa pencapaian klub saat ini tidak akan terwujud tanpa peran Keegan yang menyelamatkan tim dari ancaman degradasi ke divisi tiga pada tahun 1992.

"But what Kevin did for Newcastle, I don't think anything that we're doing now would have been possible if it wasn't for Kevin after what he did, and the choices that he had, but he then came to Newcastle as a player, he was my hero." ujar Alan Shearer, Duta Betfair.

Legenda Newcastle tersebut juga mengenang masa kecilnya saat menyaksikan penampilan Keegan secara langsung sebelum akhirnya berkesempatan bekerja sama di tingkat klub dan tim nasional.

"I watched his very first game at Newcastle as an 11 or 12-year-old and then got to work with him both at Newcastle and with England. So yeah, I’m like every Newcastle fan; a huge, huge, huge fan of Kevin Keegan." ucap Alan Shearer, Duta Betfair.

Ia menegaskan posisi penting sang mantan manajer dalam sejarah perjalanan Newcastle United.

"Kevin ranks as one of the biggest modern Newcastle legends we have ever had. I mean, both as a player and a manager, for what he achieved and the football that he played, and some of the players that he bought in." sebut Alan Shearer, Duta Betfair.

Shearer juga membeberkan daya tarik luar biasa yang dimiliki Keegan saat masih aktif bermain.

"Of course, he went so close to winning the league with Newcastle and as a player, I mean, it was unbelievable. For him to come and play at Newcastle and do what he did, he was like the Pied Piper, he had hundreds of kids chasing after him and I was one of those kids trying to get his autograph, so it was great to also work with him within Newcastle and England." kata Alan Shearer, Duta Betfair.

Mantan rekan setim Shearer, Lee Clark, turut menegaskan dampak besar Keegan bagi klub dan perekonomian kota Newcastle.

"KK is deserving of a statue for what he has done for the club but also the city of Newcastle." ujar Lee Clark, Mantan Pemain Newcastle United.

Clark menyebut kehadiran Keegan mampu menghidupkan kembali gairah pendukung yang memadati stadion serta memberikan dampak positif bagi bisnis lokal.

"In both the 1980s and 1990s before his arrival, St James Park was half full, then it was then full houses every week and waiting lists for tickets. And not to mention a REAL feel-good factor around the city and that improved things for local businesses too, so it is more than just football." kata Lee Clark, Mantan Pemain Newcastle United.

Dukungan senada disampaikan oleh anggota parlemen wilayah Blyth dan Ashington, Ian Lavery, yang menilai Keegan sebagai representasi terbaik kawasan tersebut.

"Kevin Keegan, quite simply put, is a footballing legend in the North East. Not only was he an amazing player and an amazing manager but most importantly he is a great individual with tremendous character and appeal." sebut Ian Lavery, Anggota Parlemen Blyth dan Ashington.

Lavery mengonfirmasi dukungannya agar monumen penghormatan tersebut segera direalisasikan di markas Newcastle United.

"A better ambassador for our region would be difficult to find. Of course I’d support a statue of Keegan at St James’ - he's a legend." ujar Ian Lavery, Anggota Parlemen Blyth dan Ashington.