ON THIS DAY: 1951: England football legend Kevin Keegan is born in Doncaster

Sixty six years ago today, at an unremarkable brick-built house in the mining village of Armthorpe, a tot was born that would go on to become a worldwide superstar.
Kevin Keegan.Kevin Keegan.
Kevin Keegan.

That baby was Kevin Keegan, a child who went on to become one of the biggest names in football in the 70s and 80s, enjoying a glittering career with Liverpool and England, among others.

Born on Valentine’s Day 1951 at 32 Elm Place , to English parents of part Irish ancestry, he attended his local school, St. Peter’s High School in nearby Cantley.

Keegan signs autographs on his return to Doncaster as Newcastle manager.Keegan signs autographs on his return to Doncaster as Newcastle manager.
Keegan signs autographs on his return to Doncaster as Newcastle manager.
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At the age of 16, Keegan was spotted playing at amateur level for Pegler, his employer at the time, and signed by fourth division Scunthorpe United – one of just two professional sides in the division.

Reputedly rejected by his home town club of Doncaster Rovers for being too small, Keegan became a first team regular and scored 18 goals in 124 games, attracting the attention of the Merseyside giants Liverpool with legendary boss Bill Shankly snapping him up for £35,000 in 1971.

The move proved to be the beginning of the soccer star’s rise to fame - and becoming a global icon of the game.

During a glittering spell with the Reds, he won three First Division titles, the UEFA Cup twice, the FA Cup and the European Cup and also became an England regular, making his debut in 1972, becoming captain in 1976 and scoring 21 goals for his country in 63 games - although his World Cup career was limited to just 26 minutes at the 1982 finals in Spain.

The house at 32 Elm Place, Armthorpe where Kevin Keegan was born.The house at 32 Elm Place, Armthorpe where Kevin Keegan was born.
The house at 32 Elm Place, Armthorpe where Kevin Keegan was born.
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Further successful spells followed at Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle before he made the step into management, taking the reins at Newcastle, (twice), Fulham and Manchester City and of course, England, who he managed from 1999-2000.

His infamous “love it” rant against Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson as he struggled to cope with the pressure at Newcastle made headlines around the globe. Now a TV pundit, he still makes regular visits to Doncaster where he remains a hometown hero.