JOHNGIBSON Back Benitez and see if he can emulate hero Keegan
ASHLEY SQUANDERING GREAT CHANCE
WHENEVER Kevin Keegan visits us it is like a lost son coming home.
Yes, his family roots are deep in Geordie soil with grandad a hero of the Stanley Pit Disaster but it is Keegan’s accomplishments on behalf of Newcastle United which have gained him a special place in every black and white heart.
As a player, King Kev lifted a club declining at an alarming rate and took it back into the top flight.
A short while later he returned as manager to guide Newcastle from the brink of thirdtier football to Premier League runners-up, building the fabled Entertainers.
Consequently KK’s visit on September 7 to front a dinner at the Gosforth Park Hotel, where he resided upon first joining the Mags, has been met with a great stirring.
Even some of the Entertainers themselves are heading there to sit in the audience and again share an evening with their former boss. Coming as it does when another Liverpool European Cup winner – Rafa Benitez – is launching what every Geordie hopes is not his last season in charge is significant because many believe that, given the same leeway Sir John Hall afforded KK, Benitez could also take United on a fairytale ride. It is asking an awful lot of Benitez under present circumstances but it would be possible if Mike Ashley woke up one morning soon with a clear vision of destiny. Keegan, of course, spent top dollar all the way up to a world-record fee of £15m to bring Alan Shearer home, whereas Benitez is scrambling at the bottom of the market due to the limitations imposed by his master’s voice. A typical piece of Benitez wheeling and dealing this week saw him sell Chancel Mbemba for £7m and buy Swiss international Fabian Schar for £3m.
Yet somehow the Spaniard still has United growing in stature.
Schar could well turn out to be a snip. Capped 42 times by his country including all three group games in the recent World Cup, United triggered his release clause upon the relegation of Deportivo La Coruna.
The guy has added experience with Basel and Hoffenheim.
It is the same elsewhere... Japan’s Yoshinori Muto mooted at £9.5m, which is cheap as chips for a striker given reject Aleksandar Mitrovic is rated at twice as much but Benitez keeps searching for bargains.
Keegan is returning to the scene of former triumphs to raise money for the Beacon Hill Special School in Wallsend as part of an appeal to buy two minibuses.
Organiser Brian Paddison of Premier Transport is looking for a main sponsor to support a top table of stars.
Keegan suffered at the hands of Ashley and walked out but the hope of every fan must be Benitez does not leave via the same exit door.
Many wonder what might have been had KK stayed the first time with United runners-up to Manchester United and there would be just as many left with a similar feeling if Benitez leaves.
We should be grateful for both and hope the latest occupant of St James’ Park is allowed to have a crack at emulating one of his predecessors.
KEEGAN is back among us at the Marriott Gosforth Park in September when I will be sharing the stage.
Tickets are going well but some tables of ten are still available at £500 or £750 VIP meet-and-greet, all with a three-course dinner. Individual tickets cost £50. They are available from Premier Transport Wallsend on 0191 234 1666 or via email Brian.