Arsenal and Everton have paid a heartwarming tribute to Kevin Campbell ahead of kick-off in the first match between the two teams since the death of their former striker.
Campbell died in June at the age of 54 after falling ill earlier this month, sparking an outpouring of emotion from the football community.
The popular striker rose through the ranks at Arsenal and found the net 55 times for North London in 216 appearances, winning the First Division title in 1991 and the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993.
He later spent six years at Everton between 1999 and 2005, scoring 50 goals for the side and leaving a lasting impression as he became a fan favorite with the Toffees. He notably helped the club avoid relegation in 1999 by scoring nine goals in the last eight league matches.
In a stellar career, he also played for Leyton Orient, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Brom and Cardiff City before calling the shots in 2007.
Ahead of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, the two clubs paid an emotional tribute to the Englishman following his tragic death six months ago.
Arsenal and Everton fans have paid heartwarming tributes to Kevin Campbell, Jose Antonio Reyes and David Rocastle
A photo of Kevin Campbell appeared on the program ahead of Arsenal versus Everton
The popular figure played for both teams and it is their first meeting since his tragic death
A photo of Campbell during his Gunners days was featured on the front cover of the matchday programme, with fans of both teams picking up copies of the edition as they entered the ground.
In the stadium itself, an image of the former striker of both teams appeared on the big screen.
A banner of the iconic star also appeared outside the ground, with Campbell playing for both sides ahead of the crucial match between title contenders Arsenal and relegation fighters Everton.
As the players walked out on a sunny day in London, fans held up huge banners showing the striker’s old shirt, along with those of fellow marksmen David Rocastle and Jose Antonio Reyes, and photos of him in action for the club and for the Toffees. .
In September, Toffees legends including David Unsworth, Peter Reid and Graham Stuart all made their way to St Luke’s Church in Liverpool to say their final goodbyes to Campbell.
Campbell’s son, Tyrese, who has scored six goals in 14 league appearances for high-flying Sheffield United in the Championship this season, was also in attendance.
He posted an emotional tribute to his father on Instagram in the hours after his death, writing: “I appreciate that my father was admired by many and that the outpouring of love for us as a family has been some comfort, so thank you for that at such a moment. a difficult time.
‘The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you see your father as invincible. He is my idol, the one I wanted to be when I was growing up.
The former striker (photo, on big screen) died in June at the age of 54 and played for both clubs
A banner featuring Campbell also appeared outside the Emirates during his playing days
He started his career at Arsenal and scored 55 goals for North London
Campbell (second from left) grew up as an Arsenal fan and won the league title in 1991 at the age of 21
The striker became a fan favorite at Everton between 1999 and 2005
“He was the life and soul of every party and every room he blessed, a person in a million loved by all, a special special person. I will miss you daddy.
“I would now ask that our family’s privacy be respected as we mourn the loss of an irreplaceable father, brother, uncle and wonderful human being. I love you always, Dad.”
Campbell’s close friend Frank Sinclair also attended the memorial service. The former Chelsea defender paid a moving tribute to Campbell in June by wearing a bow tie during Sky Sports’ coverage of the Carabao Cup draw. Campbell was often seen wearing a bow tie during media appearances for the likes of Sky Sports and Arsenal.
Fans joined the familiar faces to say goodbye to him.
The striker died just as Euro 2024 kicked off this summer and some of his closest friends and former colleagues paid tribute to Campbell while he was on staff as a pundit.
Ian Wright was visibly emotional as he paid tribute to his former Arsenal teammate during ITV’s live coverage of the tournament.
The pundit fought back tears as he said Campbell meant “the whole world” to him.
‘I can’t really go into depth about it because it’s very fresh. I didn’t hear about it until this morning,” Wright said.
“My best wishes and condolences go to his family. It’s too early for me to talk about it. Every time I start talking about it, I start to perk up.
Campbell (centre) scored a string of goals to keep the Toffees afloat in his first season there
Everton legend David Unsworth (pictured) attended a special memorial service for Campbell
Club legends Peter Reid (right) and Graham Stuart (centre) also attended the service
Campbell’s son, Tyrese (pictured), who now plays for Sheffield United, was on duty
‘He meant the whole world to many people and especially to myself.’
Alan Shearer, who worked with him after his playing career, shared his condolences ahead of the BBC’s coverage of Italy versus Albania, paying tribute to his ‘infectious personality’.
“I was fortunate to play with him over the years in England Under-21s and work with him on TV,” Shearer said after Gary Lineker shared his condolences for the first time.
“He had an infectious personality and great character, and you can see by today’s outpouring of grief how much he will be missed. Therefore, we send all our condolences to his family and friends. What sad news.’
During the BBC’s live coverage of the Netherlands’ 2-1 win against Poland on Sunday, former manager David Moyes praised Campbell for his personality in the dressing room before stating that he had helped him establish himself during his early years at the club.
“First of all I have to say it’s tragic news, it really is,” Moyes told the BBC. ‘Such a young man, there is still a lot to happen in his life.
‘When I first went to Everton, Kevin was already there. He was a big character in the dressing room, a big player and an incredibly experienced Premier League player at the time.
‘[He was] It helped me a lot when I started, and he was in a really good group at Everton at the time. He was a big part of it, and it’s a real tragedy.”
Several other former Everton players have paid tribute to Campbell (below), including Wayne Rooney (above)
Ian Wright paid tribute to their bond in an emotional message shared in ITV’s Euros coverage
Campbell played for Arsenal with Wright, who said he meant ‘the whole world’ to him
Campbell was loved by fans of all the clubs he played for during his professional career
In Moyes’ first full season in charge at Everton, Campbell scored 10 goals in 36 Premier League games for the Toffees.
Ashley Williams and Danny Murphy, also on the BBC panel for the competition, also shared their memories of Campbell.
“You’ve seen the tributes, and that’s easy to say, but he was such a positive figure to be around, such a nice guy to be around and to be in his company,” said former Everton defenseman Williams.
“And what a player he was, growing up and watching him play, he looked incredible.”
Posting a photo of himself on Cambbell’s shoulders during their Everton days, Wayne Rooney wrote: ‘Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Kev.
‘I think of all his family and friends. Kev was a great teammate, but more importantly, a brilliant person who helped me a lot in my early years.”
And Martin Keown added: ‘We have lost a very special person and a ray of sunshine in our lives today. God rest your soul, my friend.”
Arsenal hoped to close the gap with leaders Liverpool, who were on six points before the match, after slumping to a disappointing draw against Fulham last Sunday.
Meanwhile, visitors Everton were five points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand before the match.