WHY DID KEEGAN DRESS AS SECRET SQUIRREL TO GET IN TO TOON?
A CONFUSING tale in Kevin Keegan’s autobiography concerns his return to st James’ park in disguise. He goes there to attend a leaving celebration for a lifelong supporter who is emigrating. All very virtuous. Yet, inexplicably, Keegan describes putting on a pair of glasses, a flat cap, and turning up the collar on his overcoat to avoid detection.
He parks a distance away from the ground and arrives via the back way ‘sticking to the shadows and avoiding eye contact with passers-by’. He isn’t exactly Lon Chaney, the man of a thousand faces, however, because when he gets to the entrance a member of staff walks up and says: ‘Hello, Kevin.’
The entire episode mystifies because his book also includes the revelation: ‘Nobody has ever officially told me I am banned from st James’ park.’ so why’s he dressed up as
Secret Squirrel? He’s not banned. He’s Kevin Keegan. He could go back at any time, just probably not in the directors’ box. Buy a season ticket, sit in the Gallowgate end, nobody’s stopping him.
If it’s your club, it’s your club. And if that’s a little too brash, one imagines Keegan has sufficient business connections in the North east to get a pass for a corporate box. Mike Ashley has made some poor decisions, but he would have to be a raving lunatic to have Keegan thrown out of st James’ park.
Alternately, if fancy dress is now his thing, have fun with it. A club legend shouldn’t need a hokey back story to wear costume. This is King Kev.
Come as Widow Twankey now we’re getting near panto season, and they’ll love you even more.