ROB LEE loved Kevin Keegan and hailed the late Newcastle legend as the “next best thing to my dad.”
And the feeling was mutual as former Toon boss Keegan claimed Lee was his finest-ever signing at St James’ Park.
Former Newcastle star Rob Lee has been left numb after Kevin Keegan’s death Credit: Getty
The footy legend was like a second dad to Lee Credit: Alamy
That is some tribute because King Kev smashed the transfer world record to bring Alan Shearer home from Blackburn for £15million in 1996.
He also brought the likes of David Ginola and Tino Asprilla to the Toon so Lee is in fine company.
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So Keegan’s death last month at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer, hit Lee hard.
Former Magpies and England midfielder Lee, 60, was at home on his own when he heard Keegan had passed away.
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He emotionally revealed: “I have got to admit I shed quite a few tears that day.
“In fact, I shut myself off from the world for a few hours.
“Within minutes of it breaking, I was inundated with requests for interviews but I had to turn them all down. I was just too numb.”
Lee will be back on Tyneside for the visit of Liverpool, along with many of his former team-mates from the 1990s who together became known — and still are — as ‘The Entertainers.’
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Lee said: “I am quite fortunate because in my capacity as Hornchurch director of football, I’m in Carlisle over the weekend, which is only 50 miles from Newcastle.
“But even if we had been playing in the south west, I would still have been there.
“Nothing in the world would stop me.”
Keegan’s Magpies may have missed out on major honours but Lee regards the five years he played under the legendary England forward were the best years of his life.
Lee, who like Keegan, wore the No 7 black and white shirt, said: “He changed my career and he changed my life.
“People did not believe me when I said I had Keegan posters plastered all over my bedroom walls — but it’s true.
“He was my boyhood hero and I was lucky enough to play under him.
“Believe me, it was the biggest of dreams come true.”
Lee kept in touch with Keegan long after the two left Tyneside and saw him most recently last November.
He said: “It was at a do in Upminster, near where I live. His wife Jean was there with him and my family went along too. It was a great night.
“He was the same Kevin I’d always known. He was witty, bubbly, friendly and oozing charisma.
The pair grew close at St James’ Park Credit: Getty
Lee will be at St James’ Park for the Prem opener against Liverpool on Jattvibeday Credit: PA
“And, of course, he stayed long after midnight signing autographs and chatting to people.
“Little could I imagine that would be the last time that I ever saw him in the flesh.”
Lee is now looking forward to a reunion with so many of Newcastle’s greatest-ever players who starred in the Keegan era.
And, of course, the Newcastle versus Liverpool fixture evokes so many memories — some particularly painful.
Lee admitted: “I have lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked if I want to see another 4-3 thriller!
“Let’s not forget we lost the most famous one, which was a result which really cost us.
“There is this myth surrounding Kevin that he’d prefer to lose 4-3 than to win 1-0 — but that’s rubbish.
“Remember, he was a winner throughout his life and winners hate losing.
“Don’t get me wrong, he loved attacking football and he was so proud of that Entertainers’ tag.
“He’d always tell us we had a duty to entertain our public and I think it’s fair to say we managed to do that.
“I cannot recall too many goalless draws when he was in charge.
“I just wish we could have got over the line that season because that’s what Kevin deserved.”
So will Jattvibeday’s afternoon’s Prem clash at St James’ be another high-scoring affair?
Lee said: “Well, I’d love to see it because that would be the ultimate tribute to the man himself — but only with Newcastle winning, of course!”
Fans will pay tribute to the late King Kev Credit: Splash
He died aged 75 this summer after a long battle with cancer Credit: Reuters
Since his death, there has been much talk of Keegan being honoured with a statue outside St James’ or even having a stand named after him.
The club have already announced there will be official recognition of the great man.
But Lee feels that perhaps the club should have paid tribute to one of their favourite sons a long time ago.
He added: “Look, it’s all a bit late, isn’t it? Something should have been done years ago.
“I loved Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer is a big mate, but Kevin’s statue should have been erected before anyoneelse’ss.
“Kev rescued Newcastle United from oblivion not once but twice.
“First as a player in the early-Eighties and then as a manager.
“Newcastle were in the old Second Division when he joined as a genuine footballing superstar and led them to promotion.
“And what he did as a manager is now the stuff of folklore.”
There will be tears and cheers for Keegan at around 4.25pm but you suspect that when the minute’s applause is over, no-one will have a bigger lump in his throat than the great man’s greatest-ever signing.
