100,000 pay respects to Keegan in Hamburg
Over 100,000 people have gathered in Hamburg to pay their respects to the late Kevin Keegan, a football legend who left a lasting impact on both Liverpool and Hamburg.
Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan became a "bridge between two great cities", Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has said in a letter written to the mayor of Hamburg. Keegan, who died on Monday aged 75, left Liverpool FC in 1977 to join Hamburg SV.
Rotheram revealed that Keegan was due to visit the German city with him for its annual Harbour festival, but the cancer diagnosis meant the former England striker was unable to travel. In the letter, Rotheram wrote that Keegan's success belonged equally to Liverpool and Hamburg, where he was both "admired and loved".
He said that Keegan's efforts to forge a relationship between the cities "remains strong to this day" with his career celebrated as part of a special exhibition highlighting the links between Liverpool and Hamburg. Rotheram added that Keegan was intending to join them at the port anniversary celebrations, but his cancer diagnosis changed his plans.
As part of the tribute, Rotheram shared Keegan's message to Hamburg in his letter to their Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher. He wrote: "In Kevin's words, once again: Forgive my Plattdeutsch, but I love Hamburg. On behalf of the people of Liverpool, we send our deepest condolences to Kevin's friends, the HSV family and the people of Hamburg. You'll Never Walk Alone."
The Harbour festival has been a significant event in Hamburg, and Keegan's planned visit would have been a major highlight. The fact that over 100,000 people have gathered to pay their respects shows the impact Keegan had on the city and its people.
The relationship between Liverpool and Hamburg remains strong, with the two cities sharing a deep affection for football and its history. The tribute to Keegan is a testament to the enduring legacy of a player who left a lasting impact on both cities.
Rotheram's letter and the tribute in Hamburg are a fitting tribute to Keegan's memory. The legacy of a player who was both "admired and loved" in both cities will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
Source: Yahoo Sports