A FOOTBALL legend and former Saints star will be meeting fans in the city when he launches his new book next week.

Kevin Keegan, who scored 37 goals in 68 matches for Saints in the early 1980s, will be at Waterstones Westquay on Saturday to sign copies.

In the book, In My Life in Football, Keegan tells the story of his remarkable rise through the sport, from the Peglers Brass Works reserve team in Doncaster, to helping Liverpool become the kings of Europe, winning the Bundesliga title with Hamburg, signing fr Southampton and captaining England.

Saints fans will remember Keegan's contribution to the club in the 1981/82 season, which saw him become as the top flight’s leading goalscorer, with 26 goals in 41 appearances.

In what would be his last ever Division 1 campaign, it was a personal best league haul for the former England skipper.

Away from the south coast, Keegan is recognised around the world as one of the sport's biggest names and remains the only Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or twice.

Moving into management, Keegan also had a legendary five-year spell in charge at Newcastle, leading the club from the depths of the old Second Division to the brink of the Premier League title.

The launch of the book marks 50 years since he made his professional debut. In it, he tells the full story of the exhilarating highs and excruciating lows of his career, from the epic battle with Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United in the 1995/96 season, to the pain of managing England and the unhappy return to Newcastle in the controversial Mike Ashley era.

Keegan will be at the Westquay Waterstones store from 1.30pm on Saturday, October 6. The book, In My Life in Football, is released on sale on Monday, October 4.

CONTACT ME

t: 01962 860836

e: michael.seymour@dailyecho.co.uk