Hartlepool United boss Lee Clark pays emotional tribute to England & Newcastle United legend Kevin Keegan

Hartlepool United head coach Lee Clark has paid an emotional tribute to former England forward and manager Kevin Keegan, who has sadly died at the age of 75.

Keegan, a star of Liverpool’s 1970s side who went on to become adored on Tyneside as player and manager of Newcastle, had been undergoing treatment for stage four cancer.

Pools boss Clark, who played under Keegan in the 90s said he was "very heartbroken" by the news when speaking to the BBC. "He wasn't just a manager to me, he was a hero at first and then he became my manager and my boss and friend, but then he became like a father figure," Clark said.

"He was like the Pied Piper to the Geordie public," Clark said. "They adore him. "I was lucky enough to witness him revitalise not just Newcastle United Football Club but also the city on two separate occasions, once as a player in the early 80s when I was just a youngster standing on the terraces and then through to having him as my boss in the early 90s. He did it again as a manager - it was just unbelievable.

"This city will be in mourning for a long time, they've lost a special person. "They always say no one person is bigger than a football club but if there was ever one person who was close to that with Newcastle United it was Kevin Keegan."

A statement from Keegan’s family read: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75. “Kevin had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. “A double Ballon d’Or winner, Kevin was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. “The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. “This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy.”

Born in Doncaster, Keegan started his career at Scunthorpe before being signed for Liverpool by Shankly in 1971. While at Anfield, Keegan struck up a formidable partnership with Welshman John Toshack, going on to win the First Division title three times as well as the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup twice and the 1977 European Cup.

Following that success, Keegan joined West German side Hamburg and was twice named European Footballer of the Year. He is the only British player to have won the award, which is now called the Ballon d’Or, more than once. Keegan returned to England with Southampton in the summer of 1980 before moving to Second Division Newcastle, helping the club win promotion back to the top flight – only to then retire.

He won 63 England caps, scoring 21 goals, playing at the 1982 World Cup and was also later captain of the national team. In 1992, Keegan made his first step into management at Newcastle, leading them into the Premier League and to within touching distance of the 1995-96 title, but they missed out to Manchester United.

The club paid tribute to Keegan in a statement issued on Monday afternoon, describing him as “the beating heart of Newcastle for generations of supporters”.