Everton and Arsenal have confirmed the shock news that an icon of both clubs, Kevin Campbell, has died after being hospitalised last month because of illness. He was 54.
Campbell cemented his place in Goodison folklore and the hearts of Blues fans with a brilliant loan spell at Everton late in the 1998-99 season when he fired nine goals in as many appearances, a contribution that almost single-handedly steered the club away from the relegation zone and to mid-table safety that season.
It stands as one of the most significant contributions by any one player in the Club’s history and it paved the way for the Londoner to join the Toffees in a permanent £3m deal that summer. He went on to score 45 League goals for Everton, a tally that puts him fifth in the list of the Blues’ top scorers of the Premier League era.
Born in Lambeth, Kevin began his playing career at Arsenal where won the FA Youth Cup before making his senior debut in May 1988.
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He cut his teeth with loan spells at Leyton Orient and Leicester City before establishing himself at the Gunners where he would go onto make 210 appearances, scoring 55 goals, winning the League title in 1991, an FA Cup and League Cup double two years later and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
In 1995, Campbell joined Nottingham Forest in a £2.5m deal to replace Stan Collymore but while he scored an impressive 32 goals in 80 games for the East Midlands club it wasn’t enough to keep them in the top division, although his partnership with Pierre van Hooijdonk where he notched 23 in a season helped Forest earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt in 1997-98.
Nevertheless, his move to the comparative backwater of Turkey and Trabsonspor in 1998 seemed to confirm that Campbell’s career was in danger of petering out rather than scaling the heights at a top Premier League club.
However, cash-strapped Smith saw in Campbell a cheap way of acquiring much-needed firepower for his bid to steer Everton away from increasingly real relegation danger. The benefit was mutual — as Kevin was by that point desperate to leave Turkey, having been on the victim of barbed racist comments by the Trabsonspor president who also attacked his scoring record.
Though it took him a couple of games to settle in, Campbell’s impact at Goodison was staggering in those first few weeks as he scored three consecutive braces to lift the Club away from the bottom three. “Super Kev”, as the Evertonians would soon call him, was revered for his time at Goodison Park as a result.
He would go on to score the winning goal away at Liverpool during the 1999-2000 season, the last one at Anfield for Everton for two decades, and eventually left Goodison Park in 2005 when he signed for West Bromwich Albion and later joined Cardiff City on a short-term deal.
He hung up his boots in 2007 but carved out a successful career as a pundit for the Premier League and Champions League and remained a hugely beloved figure, particularly at Everton who the Londoner took to his heart and always regarded as his club alongside Arsenal.
Reader Comments (145)
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Paul Smith
1 Posted
15/06/2024 at
09:15:45
Sad news — Kevin Campbell has died.
Paul Hewitt
2 Posted
15/06/2024 at
09:25:45
Not only was he a great player but a fantastic person as well.
James Marshall
3 Posted
15/06/2024 at
09:33:31
All unconfirmed as far as I can tell re Super Kev. I really hope it’s not bad news. I think we all know how much he’s loved by all of us.
Rob Halligan
4 Posted
15/06/2024 at
09:43:34
Where are you seeing that about Kevin Campbell?
There is nothing on him on SSN or the BBC, but both are recently reporting the death of the Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic who died this morning aged just 26.
Paul Birmingham
5 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:05:22
Terrible news, if it is.
Brian Williams
6 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:07:46
It’s true.
Paul Birmingham
7 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:11:24
He almost single handedly kept us up in 1999-2000. He saved Everton that season.
Prayers and thoughts to Kevin’s Family and friends at this terrible time.
I hope the club acknowledges his impact and commemorates him at the new stadium.
RIP, Kevin Campbell.
Lee Courtliff
8 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:16:59
RIP, Super Kev, and thank you for what you did for our club. You’ll always be remembered.
Kunal Desai
9 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:22:40
He was such a gentlemen. Met him him 5 years ago after an Arsenal game. His goals single handidly saved us in the season he joined. One of the few guys in the media that actually spoke on behalf of us fans and said it how it was.
Condolences to his family and friends. RIP in peace Super Kev.
Alan Corken
10 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:23:15
Gutted by this news. A true Legend!
Derek Knox
11 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:26:13
I, like many others assumed it would be something he would, eventually get over. What a lovely and genuine guy, who never ever forgot he was part of the Everton extended family!
RIP, SuperKev.
Jeff Armstrong
12 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:28:23
Shocked at this news, RIP Super Kevin Campbell.
Paul Hewitt
13 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:30:29
You could tell every time Kevin spoke about Everton it really meant something to him, unlike other ex-players.
RIP, Super Kev 😢
Ed Fitzgerald
15 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:30:50
Rest in Peace, Super Kev
Scott Hamilton
16 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:32:10
Mark Lewis
17 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:32:45
Rest in peace, SuperKev.
Craig Walker
18 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:32:49
He always spoke highly of our club and of fondness of his time at Goodison.
In contrast to the current age of spoiled brat and overpaid footballers, Super Kev always struck me as being genuine and a lovely bloke. His smile used to light up the place.
Thanks for the memories, Kev, RIP.
Julian Exshaw
19 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:36:35
A true gentleman who loved his time with us as much as we loved his. God bless him.
Denver Daniels
20 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:37:26
Ah man. RIP Kevin 😪
Pete Hughes
21 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:40:35
Peter Jones
22 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:40:39
Thanks for everything, Kevin. RIP.
Andy Kay
23 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:40:47
RIP Super Kev.
Duncan McDine
24 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:41:17
A real hero.
Paul Myers
25 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:41:27
I was fortunate enough to be there to see him put the ball in the RS net, thanks for the memories. RIP.
Dave Williams
26 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:43:07
RIP Kev.
Mike Hughes
27 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:43:34
An honest professional – always came across as a decent, genuine bloke. He was essential to our survival with important goals.
Several years ago on TW, we were invited to list our Everton team of the millennium (to date at that time). I listed Kevin Campbell up front – and stood by it despite the criticism of a few others.
He contributed greatly to the Everton cause. A sad day. RIP.
Mike Hayes
28 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:44:12
I met him a few years ago, he was a lovely guy. So, so sad. RIP, sir. 😢💙
Brian Harrison
29 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:44:59
He will be fondly remembered by fans, a true gentleman and a great ambassador for our club.
Howard Don
30 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:45:55
Like many, I thought the lack of recent news meant he was maybe pulling through.
Lovely guy and hugely popular, so awful for his family. RIP SuperKev and thanks for everything.
Paul Johnson
31 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:46:57
I had the pleasure of meeting him in the 1878 lounge in 2020. A real gentleman who was exactly the same on TV as in real life. Loved the Blues but told it how it was.
54 is no age. Regards to his family. RIP Kevin.
John Pickles
32 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:47:31
When post-60s Everton players are mentioned on here, their impact is almost always debated: “He was that good!”; “He wasn’t that good!” etc. I can’t ever remember anyone debating your value to the club.
Robert Stark
33 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:47:34
Thoughts to his family and friends, a true gentleman.
Geoff Williams
34 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:49:08
Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Kevin.
Rob Halligan
36 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:50:48
An absolute legend and hero amongst all Everton fans. RIP, Super Kevin Campbell.
James Lawton
37 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:52:48
You will always be remembered with gratitude and affection.
Colin Glassar
38 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:55:25
RIP, Kevin.
A shout out to the young Millwall goalkeeper who also died today at the young age of 26.
John Raftery
39 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:56:56
I don’t think we could believe our luck in 1999 when he hit the ground running on loan and saved us from relegation. His partnership with Jeffers promised more than it ultimately delivered but they combined well for the famous goal and win at Anfield in September 1999.
Tony Mace
40 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:57:48
Who put the ball in the redshite net. 💙
Dean Johnson
41 Posted
15/06/2024 at
10:58:06
Don’t normally get upset with people passing but this one has got me. As far as I am concerned, he saved us when we needed him most.
RIP Super Kev, Blue forever 💙💙💙💙💙
Dan Mckay
43 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:03:28
Super Kev, forever putting the ball in the back of the RS net.
RIP
Francis van Lierop
44 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:03:36
James Newcombe
45 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:04:26
I know it was obviously a team effort, but it seemed all that time ago like he single-handedly kept us up. God knows where we’d be now without those goals.
Andrew Clare
46 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:05:06
My condolences to his family.
Mark Murphy
47 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:08:18
I hope there is a God just so he can look after you, Kevin.
RIP.
Sur Jo
48 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:09:39
RIP, Super Kev. I am shocked and you left too early.
Larry O’Hara
49 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:10:34
Yes very sad: hope his family see these tributes showing how much we all loved him.
Gary Wiffen
50 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:11:02
A lovely fellow taken far to soon. RIP, Kevin Campbell.
Dave Abrahams
51 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:12:49
Rest in peace, Kevin.
Kevin Molloy
52 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:13:58
What sad news.
Jamie Clancy
53 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:17:05
RIP Kevin. A terrible loss well before his time. RIP big man.
James Marshall
54 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:18:59
Always loved, always remembered for what he gave us.
Forever blue, forever Everton.
Anthony A Hughes
55 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:21:06
RIP, Kev, a class act on and off the field.
Danny O’Neill
56 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:25:29
I’ll never forget that winning goal at Anfield.
You helped us in a time of need and did it well.
Your roots may be with Arsenal, but you were an adopted Evertonian. One of us.
Peter Mills
57 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:26:14
Kevin has an indelible place in the history of Everton FC. His goals late in the 1998-99 season saved us when we were in desperate trouble. Remember his second goal against Coventry at home which clinched a tension-filled game after Materazzi had been sent off?
I was fortunate enough to be in the Kemlyn Road stand, towards the Kop end, on that famous night. He became our first black captain. He remained a supporter and ambassador for us.
Sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
Rest in peace Super Kev.
Denis Richardson
58 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:26:27
Great player and more importantly an absolute gent in real life
Thoughts and prayers to his family. Tragic loss at such a relatively young age.
RIP Kev.
Nick Dermott
59 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:42:10
Had such a love for the club and we for him.
Christopher Timmins
60 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:44:27
A gentleman on and off the pitch.
Rest in peace, Kevin.
Phil Wood
61 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:46:17
Super Man and Player.
Ian Riley
62 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:49:05
My thoughts are with the family and friends at this terrible time.
RIP, Kevin, and thank you for choosing Everton.
John Wignall
63 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:49:48
Deepest sympathy to all his family.
A cracking player and an even lovelier person. God bless, Kevin.
Pete Ellingham
64 Posted
15/06/2024 at
11:56:02
My thoughts are with his friends and family. 💙
John Keating
65 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:02:10
So young. God bless.
Dennis Stevens
66 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:02:12
Cruelly taken at a quite young age for current times. His family must be devastated. Terribly sad.
Bill Fairfield
67 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:13:26
RIP, Super Kev.
Andrew Cunningham
68 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:16:05
Thank you for saving our skins. A true Everton legend.
Annika Herbert
69 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:26:04
Taken from us far too early but never forgotten. RIP, SuperKev.
David Price
70 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:26:41
RIP — you will be missed by many.
David McMullen
71 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:27:44
Devastated.
Allan Board
72 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:28:09
Stuck up for the fans too – which won’t be forgotten. RIP and my condolences to his family.
Brian Wilkinson
73 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:28:15
When it comes to loyalty, embrace Coleman’s final season, we will not see the likes of him and Campbell again in an Everton shirt.
Thanks for the memories, Kev.
Ben King
74 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:29:16
54 is no age to die.
Sad news. Rest in peace, Super Kev.
Michael Bennet
75 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:41:39
It faced the Royal Court…and I’ve never forgotten what the guy said… So sad.
Andrew Merrick
76 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:45:20
Thank you for all did in royal blue, you kept us up, a real inspiration. RIP, Super Kev.
Chris Williams
77 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:46:00
I remember him coming. Such power, pace, intelligence. Goals flowed. He lifted the team. He lifted the crowd. We loved him.
He lifted me too.
What a man, what a player, and by the sound of it, what a human being.
RIP, Super Kev.
Mike Kehoe
78 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:50:31
Gutted, thanks for the memories, RIP.
Shaun Laycock
79 Posted
15/06/2024 at
12:51:46
RIP, Super Kev.
Alan McGuffog
80 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:03:46
Everton FC is about us and players such as Super Kev. It’s not about bloody Russians and asset strippers and consortiums and buy-outs.
Rest in peace, Sir!
Dave Abrahams
81 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:12:14
I think he might have been part of the 1970 title-winning squad although he didn’t play many games for the Blues. A tall, tough and uncompromising player.
Christine Foster
82 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:13:57
So sad he has passed but he will light up heaven and be welcomed by many blue noses up there. Thank you, big man, one of the good guys.
Mark Frere
83 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:17:06
RIP Super Kev.
Neil Copeland
84 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:17:55
A true gentleman on and off the pitch.
Karl Meighan
85 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:23:04
Sad news Super Kev always one of us. NSNO.
Garry Martin
86 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:37:30
So young & so sad, RIP Kevin
Peter Moore
87 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:38:00
100% one the good guys and, in 1999, was the amazing catalyst to spectacularly fire the goals in to get us clear of the drop. 9 goals in 5 games!
Without him, I have no doubt the proud unbroken top-flight run would have been ruined that season.
A giant of a player, man and having had the great pleasure to have a single drink and a good chat with him hours before kick-off in the Winslow a few years back. He was so honest, genuine, humble and just a total pleasure to talk to.
It’s very sad he became ill and died so young.
One positive thing I guess is what a life he lived, what he achieved on the pitch with Arsenal in terms of honours and the great job he did for us, stuff 99.9% of us can only dream of.
Well done and many thanks to Super Kev, gone far too soon, but leaving great memories with many thousands.
Sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
Robert Tressell
88 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:38:53
Articulate gentleman too with a clear fondness for his time at Everton. RIP.
Kenny Smith
89 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:53:44
I’ve just spent half an hour telling my 11-year-old son how great he was. Thanks for saving us and for that goal.
RIP, Super Kevin Campbell.
Bobby Mallon
90 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:54:15
Gutted he’s gone.
Joe McMahon
91 Posted
15/06/2024 at
13:54:21
Thank you, Kevin, and RIP x.
Kevin Edward
92 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:06:33
Condolences to all who had a connection with Superkev.
I have fond memories of those last 3 or 4 games at Goodison with Franny Jeffers. It was like a dream come true to see them banging in the goals to keep us safe.
Also later on, he single-handedly carried the front line on many occasions, probably carrying injuries but always put in a shift for the shirt.
He was a hero, and leaves some great memories in blue.
Who put the ball in the red shites net? Super Kevin Campbell!
Christy Ring
93 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:12:58
Thoughts with his family, RIP.
Nick Lacey
94 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:23:05
I’ve been in tears most of the morning.
Kieran Kinsella
95 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:25:19
Shocked and saddened to hear this. God rest his soul
Mark O’Brien
96 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:25:20
We will never forget you, Kev. Rest in peace.
Paul Ferry
97 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:34:10
Never forgotten, always loved. Thanks for everything.
Alastair Donaldson
98 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:42:34
Nice piece on the club website, I hope they make a suitable gesture to his family.
RIP, Super Kev.
Stan Grace
99 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:51:13
Thoughts are with his wonderful family. RIP, SuperKev.
Jim Bennings
100 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:53:41
Blitzed it to keep us up in the Spring of 1999 with lethal finishing and movement in the box.
People forget that he had one final swansong in David Moyes’s first season by finishing top scorer, he was pivotal along with Tomasz Radzinski and Wayne Rooney in us finishing 7th that year.
RIP, Super Kev.
Edward Rogers
101 Posted
15/06/2024 at
14:54:36
Thanks, Kev, sleep well. 💙
Stu Gore
102 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:00:01
RIP Super Kev.
Niall McIlhone
103 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:13:35
RIP, big man, I hope your family can find solace in knowing how loved and respected you were.
Soren Moyer
104 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:14:36
Rest In Peace, dear Kevin.
James Hughes
105 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:19:17
A nice little clip of Super Kev sharing his feelings about our mates from Mordor, made me smile:
Ian Bennett
106 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:21:12
Stood up and talked about his beloved Everton, loved being with the fans and gave up his time to anyone who wanted it. Smart, fun, and a brilliant goalscorer, he was everything I want associated with my club.
You’ll be my forever Super Kev.
Dale Self
107 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:31:14
Okay, maybe a bit ambitious there… but if we get another Super Kev, don’t bet against it.
Dan Parker
108 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:34:17
He used to always push out positive messages on social media and interact with all the fans that adored him in retirement, including me. Will be sorely missed, condolences to the family.
Neil Tyrrell
109 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:46:25
RIP, Super Kev, and thanks for everything. 💙
Benn Chambers
110 Posted
15/06/2024 at
15:50:51
The word ‘legend’ gets used to often in football now, it’s a throw-away word used by younger fans, to describe a player who’s thrown in a tasty tackle or wound up the opposition fans but a legend to me is very different and, in Kevin Campbell, I had an Everton legend.
I’m 40 now and, as a young season ticket holder, I remember vividly his loan spell. We were gone, as good as down and this fella came in and single-handedly dragged us to safety. 9 goals in 5 games!
Then the winner at Anfield. Honestly, I’m devastated by this. 54 is no age at all. Us toffees have lost a talisman and a hero but his family have lost much more.
The fella was an absolute gent and you couldn’t have given the captain’s armband to a better fella. I’m proud that our first ever black captain was Kevin Campbell, it’s a fitting accolade that it was him. A giant of a man and a player. A superb human.
I remember him strolling into the Winslow for a pint before a game and the place erupted into his song. He was mobbed and he loved it. He always looked happy and comfy around Evertonians and he knew how much we loved him – he knew we really really loved him and the feeling was mutual.
RIP, Super Kev. Gone but absolutely never ever forgotten.
Joe McMahon
111 Posted
15/06/2024 at
16:01:30
Bad last few months for Forest also, with Chris Bart Williams and of course Trevor Francis. 😢
Jay Harris
112 Posted
15/06/2024 at
16:26:02
RIP, Super Kev.
Will Mabon
113 Posted
15/06/2024 at
16:27:36
He was a great signing, a genuine committed footballer that left an important mark on the club in his time here.
Very sad. As is the way now, there are no real details, so I don’t know here – but I will nonetheless say generally, this is getting ridiculous.
Dave Brierley
114 Posted
15/06/2024 at
16:42:30
God bless you, Kev.
Never forgotten.
Simon Dalzell
115 Posted
15/06/2024 at
16:48:18
RIP Super Kev. You will be sorely missed.
Mark Ryan
116 Posted
15/06/2024 at
16:59:55
his news is gutting. I would have liked him to see us in the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and on the up, Kev would have loved that.
Terribly sad news for his family and friends. Keep smiling Kev, we all loved you, pal. RIP.
Iakovos Iasonidis
117 Posted
15/06/2024 at
17:06:38
We are so fragile…
Jerome Shields
118 Posted
15/06/2024 at
17:14:49
RIP, Kevin.
Gavin Johnson
119 Posted
15/06/2024 at
17:17:35
I remember taking my girlfriend on her first visit to Goodison to watch us play Charlton, and Kev scored a couple if I remember correctly.
I was also studying at Uni in Stoke at the time, and I remember talking to an Arsenal fan later that evening at our local Indian restaurant who was congratulating us on getting Kev and talking about his style of play.
Nice memories.
Billy Shears
120 Posted
15/06/2024 at
17:27:22
RIP, Super Kev, another Everton great, who will never be forgotten.
Eugene Ruane
121 Posted
15/06/2024 at
17:28:38
Jeff Armstrong
122 Posted
15/06/2024 at
17:34:55
Great tribute, that, Benn @110.
Peter Mills
123 Posted
15/06/2024 at
17:48:08
I’m sorry to hear of the passing away of Frank D’Arcy, a member of the 1965 Youth Cup winning team and, as you say, a substitute a few times in the 69-70 Championship season, including the clincher against West Brom.
Condolences to Frank’s family and friends.
Jack Convery
124 Posted
15/06/2024 at
18:16:11
His record with EFC was 160 games, 50 goals and 8 assists. His overall record in EPL was 325 games, 83 goals and 26 assists.
RIP Super Kev. Condolences to family and friends.
RIP Frank D’Arcy. Condolences to family and friends.
Steve Dowdeswell
125 Posted
15/06/2024 at
18:22:09
Tragic news.
RIP a true blue hero.
Brendan Fox
126 Posted
15/06/2024 at
18:50:14
RIP Super Kev, thanks for the memories
Dave Cooney
127 Posted
15/06/2024 at
19:41:28
So sad. One of footballs good guys. One of us. Thank you Super Kev.
Martin Farrington
128 Posted
15/06/2024 at
19:41:46
A true blue legend. A genuine and well respected gentleman. Will be massively missed. Thank you for the joy and happiness you gave me and countless others, goodnight Super Kev.
Dave Older
129 Posted
15/06/2024 at
19:50:03
This one really hurts, Kevin Campbell has been taken way too soon. A top striker, and more importantly, a top bloke. I always thought he was a great under-used tv pundit too. We will all miss you Super Kev, rest in peace my friend.
John Belshaw
130 Posted
15/06/2024 at
21:00:17
Always the gentleman, Kevin loved Everton and Everton loved him!
Jay Evans
131 Posted
15/06/2024 at
21:41:12
Thank you for what you did for our great club. Rest in peace and be assured you are in great company up there with the rest of our true blue family.
💙
Sean Kearns
132 Posted
15/06/2024 at
21:51:04
But beforehand, he took many pictures and spent very genuine time with her. I think they kept in touch for a while as well…
My family always said how nice Kev was and he always remained her favorite player even all these years later to this day. She still has the picture of them up in the house…
Make no bones about it, Kevin Campbell was a giant of a human being and always had time for others. And he loved Everton!…
Everything your reading in the news about him being a gentlemen isn’t just sentiment, it’s all genuine. He was a truly lovely fella.
RIP big man and thank you for memories both on and off the pitch….
I think I’m going to get ‘Campbell 9′ on the back of this year’s new shirt when it’s finally released. It’s the Least I can do for the big fella, he made an ill young girl’s dreams come absolutely true for a day and didn’t cut a single corner.
Tony Abrahams
133 Posted
15/06/2024 at
22:35:46
I played against him twice in a two-legged FA Youth Cup semi-final. He was already a man, and I remember telling him to calm down and just get on with the game, when he was arguing with one of our players.
He just looked at me and nodded, until a few minutes later, when I was arguing with one of his teammates and he came over, shaking his head smiling, and said to me “You’ve got some front, telling me to get on with the game!”
Like most Evertonians, my best memories of Kevin Campbell are of his goals keeping us up during the Walter Smith era, and it says a lot about the man who I’m sure was once racially abused at Goodison (whilst warming up as an opposing sub?) that he had the heart and the spirit to become the first black captain of Everton Football Club.
God bless Kevin Campbell, a man with a big heart, a big smile, and a great big love for Everton. 💙🙏
Brendan McLaughlin
134 Posted
15/06/2024 at
22:58:07
A blue saviour… they don’t come along often.
Pete Bridson
135 Posted
15/06/2024 at
23:06:51
Was the derby he scored in on TV?? I have a recollection of watching the game in a pub in Ambleside.
Check out his appearances on the Undr the Cosh podcasts… “Don’t you hurt me Campbell” – Clough, hilarious. That smile.
Deepest condolences to his family & loved ones. Peace.
Dan Parker
136 Posted
15/06/2024 at
00:04:51
I know Big Dunc is a hero of that era but for me King Kev was a saviour. He’d be on social media next week telling us to have a dickie bow Tuesday!
Si Cooper
137 Posted
16/06/2024 at
01:06:19
It is hardly believable that his enduring ability didn’t ever snag him a cap or two at international level.
Gone much too soon, to a much better place we trust.
Kieran Kinsella
138 Posted
16/06/2024 at
01:27:55
How many good English strikers play in the Premier League today? There are just two in the England squad… then you’ve got what? Calvert-Lewin, Wilson? That’s about it.
In the Super Kev era, the one thing England had going for it was strikers: Fowler, Ferdinand, Andy Cole & Sutton were among those barely getting a look in. Wrighty had a few chances. There was Shearer, Sheringham, Owen etc.
Super Kev was certainly as good as or actually much better than strikers who’ve played for England in other eras. He just a) came along when we had an abundance and b) had bad luck with injuries.
People talk about Man City’s expensively built academy now but, just think back then – both Campbell and Cole were surplus to requirements at Arsenal, not cause they weren’t good but because Graham was spoilt for choice! Different era but, capped or not, Kev was quality.
David Currie
139 Posted
16/06/2024 at
02:36:41
My favourite story of him was the one of him on the plane to Manchester to meet a certain Mr Smith! Just summed up the kind of man he was off the pitch. Quality!!
Bob Parrington
140 Posted
16/06/2024 at
05:33:15
RIP, Great Man!
Danny O’Neill
141 Posted
16/06/2024 at
05:54:40
Jerome Shields
142 Posted
16/06/2024 at
07:46:19
RIP Frank D’Arcy, part of the 1970 Championship winning team.
Dave Abrahams
143 Posted
16/06/2024 at
08:38:22
Thanks for the clip which showed how much Kev was appreciated by Everton fans.
This was repeated by fans of Arsenal and many other fans all over — a measure of the man — loved years after he had left their clubs.
Tony Abrahams
144 Posted
16/06/2024 at
10:22:23
You can see in that video how the Evertonians, loved Kevin Campbell, and how much he loved Everton, and watching a few old clips, I might be biased but, whoever buys Everton, are buying so much more than just a football club💙
Peter Roberts
145 Posted
16/06/2024 at
10:26:12
In his initial loan period, his goalscoring record was of the Roy of the Rovers ilk. I hope a part of Bramley Moore will have his name on it. He really saved us that season.
Peter Roberts
146 Posted
16/06/2024 at
10:27:55
In his initial loan period, his goalscoring record was of the Roy of the Rovers ilk. I hope a part of Bramley Moore will have his name on it. He really saved us that season.
Thank Kev you really are a legend.
Si Cooper
147 Posted
16/06/2024 at
10:35:45
Great clip Danny!
Fantastic to see him lapping up the affection and applauding the fans back.
Obviously someone who genuinely appreciated that truly special bond.
Sometimes the recipients of the attention look like they are actually intimidated.
Tom Edwards
148 Posted
16/06/2024 at
10:37:10
Awful news to hear. A true legend of the club as our saviour back in the day. A proper gentleman too. I met him once and he took the time to talk to my youngest lad who was 4 at that time and a starstruck Evertonian, and shake his hand. My son still talks about now! Bless you SuperKev and RIP. My deepest sympathy to his family.
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