Among those involved were Alan Shearer, Rob Lee, Peter Beardsley, Tino Asprilla, Warren Barton, Shaka Hislop, Lee Clark, Darren Peacock, Steve Watson, Ruel Fox, Steve Howey and Liam O’Brien.
During the warm-up, both teams wore shirts with Keegan 7 on the back. Minutes later, a mosaic laid out in the center circle—crafted from more than 500 shirts left at St James’ Park after Keegan’s passing—was unfurled.
A tribute film to Keegan then played on the big screen, before supporters’ group Wor Flags delivered a vast stadium-wide display that included the Liverpool end.
“Keegan 7” was formed in the Leazes End, a huge “King Kev” tifo covered the East Stand, and the Gallowgate End featured a memorable quotation from the man many view as the most transformative figure in Newcastle’s history.
“I want people to dream about their football club,” the banner read. “They should. We should all be dreamers at heart. Some people are the opposite and say, ‘We can’t do that’. But when you ask them why, they can’t give a reason. Well, I say, ‘Why not?’”
Before kickoff, the players and supporters united for an emotional minute’s applause as chants of “one Kevin Keegan” echoed around the ground.