Give Rafa the cash
IT seemed wholly appropriate – the names of United’s two finest modern-day managers intertwined at St James’ Park this week in a common cause.
Magpies’ legend Kevin Keegan was back at the home of the Entertainers for a special lunch which raised money for the Bobby Robson Foundation.
Less than 48 hours earlier the premiere of ‘Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager’ had taken place at SJP with general release to follow on June 1.
KK and Sir Bobby built United sides of verve and vision which brought us Champions League football - a fanciful thought these more austere days.
I was a guest along with another Tyneside sporting hero, former world cruiserweight champion Glenn McCrory, as King Kev regaled all with tales of Geordie derring-do.
We heard of the surprising genius of an unknown Peter Beardsley when he first joined to partner Keegan up top, the charisma of David Ginola and loyalty of Terry McDermott.
Above all, however, came the passionate fans.
“If anyone wants to experience what football means then they must visit Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund,” insisted Keegan, who experienced German football with Hamburg.
A thoroughly entertaining afternoon had been organised by Indigo, a Teddington-based company in the construction business, to mark the opening of an office in Newcastle.
It was remarkable and uplifting to witness Keegan back within the bowels of SJP, an extremely rare event since his well-publicised court challenge to club owner Mike Ashley.
KK’s re-emergence proves that all things can change given time which provides hope to Geordies wishing to live in optimism once again.