“I know it’s a clique, but Kevin really did light up the room”

I first met Kevin when I was 19 and had just got in the 1 st team. Back then we were required to coach the youth teams during the evenings. Kevin was about 15 and in the youth team. I just remember him being huge for his age, with immense strength.

He didn’t call me by my name but called me “coach”, and I remember thinking “I’m not much older than you mate”. That nickname stuck with me throughout our friendship. I sat next to Kevin for 2 years on the team bus, and his personality was infectious. I know it’s a clique, but Kevin really did light up the room.

He had a way of welcoming you that made you feel so special. Even after we had both hung up our boots and we met whilst commentating, he still called me “coach” and welcomed me with a bear hug, never a handshake. He exuberated real warmth, which is rare.

It’s an honour to be asked by his family to be an ambassador for The Kevin Campbell Foundation, and support them to do good work in the community in Kevin’s name, building a legacy to him.

Martin Keown