It is a sad day for English football as ex-footballer Kevin Campbell dies aged 54, weeks after he was admitted to hospital.
Everton revealed earlier this month that became ill in May, and became “very unwell” in hospital, with Mail Sport writing that his health issues began with a stroke suffered a few months ago, then developed kidney failure and his weight had dropped to nine stone by the time of his death.
He tried to be positive despite his declining health, even messaging old Arsenal teammates saying to them that he was fine.
But understandably they are left heartbroken by the news of his passing on Saturday morning.
It was confirmed by Campbell’s management, as they posted on Twitter: “Wow this one really hurts. Rest easy KC a true friend and gentleman. Thoughts with Kevs 2 boys and the rest of his family.”
Ex-Nottingham Forest teammate Mark Crossley also confirmed that Campbell has sadly passed away, in a statement on Twitter.
He said: “Life can be so cruel at times Absolutely devastated with news of my ex forest team mate Kevin Campbell’s passing, a true gentleman, a great player, a shining light of a dressing room, fun-loving guy, thoughts are with all his family and friends RIP mate.”
His son Tyrese Campbell has said: “I appreciate my Dad was admired by many & the outpouring of love has been some comfort for us as a family, so thank you for that at such a difficult time.
“The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you look at your Dad as invincible. He is my idol, the one who I wanted to be when I grew up.
“He was the life and soul of every party and room he blessed, a one in a million person that was loved by everyone, a special special person. I’ll miss you Dad.
“I would now ask that the privacy of our family is respected as we mourn the loss of an irreplaceable Father, Brother, Uncle and all round amazing human being. Love you always Dad.”
It comes on the same morning that it was announced that Millwall keeper Matija Sarkic had also died.
Wow this one really hurts. Rest easy KC a true friend and gentleman 💔 Thoughts with Kevs 2 boys and the rest of his family ❤️ @smi_world family pic.twitter.com/LvSps1S1jG
— Sport Management Int (@SMi_World) June 15, 2024
😢😢RIP Kev 💔
— Matt Le Tissier ✝️ (@mattletiss7) June 15, 2024
Sad sad news RIP Kevin Campbell 😔🖤🙏🏾
— Darren Byfield (@darrenbyfield) June 15, 2024
We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness.
Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Kevin ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Kiywyo7nTr
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 15, 2024
Everton said in a statement via their website: “Everyone at Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the Club’s most popular and much-loved former strikers, Kevin Campbell, at the age of 54.
“Not just a true Goodison Park hero and huge fans’ favourite, Kevin was the Blues’ first black captain and also an incredible person, as anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him would know.
“His contribution to Everton Football Club, however, extends way beyond statistics.
“One of the most popular men to ever wear the royal blue jersey, he remains an icon amongst Evertonians and was the perfect ambassador who always thoroughly enjoyed returning to Goodison Park in a media capacity or to cheer on the Toffees as a fan.
“Kevin was always afforded the warmest of welcomes when he returned to Merseyside – and quite right, too.
“He was a giant of a man, a fabulous footballer and he will be sorely missed by everyone fortunate enough to know him.
“The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with his family at this extremely sad time and we will, of course, pay a suitable tribute when next season kicks off.”
Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54.
Not just a true Goodison Park hero and icon of the English game, but an incredible person as well – as anyone who ever met him will know.
RIP, Super Kev. 💙
— Everton (@Everton) June 15, 2024
We are devastated to learn that Kevin Campbell has passed away aged 54.
Kevin won four caps for our under-21s and represented our B team in the early 1990s.
Our thoughts are with Kevin’s family, friends and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/KyGsRgcXii
— England (@England) June 15, 2024
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kevin Campbell, the former Arsenal, Nott’m Forest, Everton and West Brom striker
Our thoughts and condolences are with Kevin’s family, friends and those associated with the clubs he played for pic.twitter.com/JkMlgwe8fC
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 15, 2024
Campbell, who rose from Arsenal’s youth system, made his debut in 1988, then had loan spells at Leyton Orient and Leicester City, before becoming an integral part of Arsenal’s 1990-91 league winning squad.
He played a role in helping the Gunners secure the FA Cup and League Cup double in 1993, as well as the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
Then following his time at Nottingham Forest and Trabzonspor in Turkey, Campbell joined Everton on loan in March 1999.
He netted nine goals in the last eight Premier League matches which helped prevent Everton’s relegation.
Subsequently, Campbell made a permanent move to Everton that summer and remained with the club for over five seasons.
He ended his professional career with stints at West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City, accumulating a total of 148 goals from 542 appearances.
Since retiring, Campbell has been actively involved in the media as a pundit for various media outlets.
Like many, Kev’s death will be difficult to take in.
A man who was larger than life, up at the crack of dawn with a ” how’s everyone doing”, he was funny, incredibly polite and always great fun.
To Kev’s family, I can’t imagine your loss or pain but hopefully you’ll be… pic.twitter.com/Wi9RWO77hG
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) June 15, 2024
I am so devastated to hear the news of the passing of Kevin Campbell
The nicest man you could wish to meet and a fantastic player. Thoughts to his friends and family…. RIP Kev pic.twitter.com/5BR7RVpRi9— Tony Cottee (@TonyCottee9) June 15, 2024
RIP Kevin Campbell, quality player and pundit too. pic.twitter.com/un2BAHiWsz
— Imran Sheikh (@indieimmy) June 15, 2024
CAMPBELL’S CAREER:
Youth career
1985–1988 – Arsenal
Senior career
1988–1995 – Arsenal – 213 games (59 goals)
1989 → Leyton Orient (loan) – 16 games (9 goals)
1989 → Leicester City (loan) – 11 games (5 goals)
1995–1998 – Nottingham Forest – 82 games (31 goals)
1998–1999 – Trabzonspor – 18 games (5 goals)
1999–2005 – Everton – 151 games (39 goals)
2005–2006 – West Bromwich Albion – 49 games (6 goals)
2006–2007 – Cardiff City – 20 games (0 goals)
International career
1990–1992 – England U21 – 4 games (1 goal)
1991 – England B – 1 game (0 goals)
⚽️⚽️⚽️ Throwback to Kevin Campbell starting the 1996/97 Premier League season off in style.
With a brilliant hat-trick.@1kevincampbell | @NFFC pic.twitter.com/z6jpHfBOik
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) July 20, 2020
Super Kev: a goal machine, a giant of a man, with an even bigger heart. An intensely private and a truly wonderful human being. I’m devastated for his loved ones, and all of us. Love you Super Kev, Skipper 💔🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZJ6f57yK2b
— Tony Adams (@TonyAdams) June 15, 2024
RIP! Devastating news… top bloke, great player, absolute gentlemen. Thoughts are with his family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4MEh674Hk4
— Paul Merson (@PaulMerse) June 15, 2024
More tributes were paid on what is a sad day for English football as ex-footballer Kevin Campbell dies aged 54…
@nffcoyr: Today is such a sad day. RIP to Kevin Campbell. My wishes go to his family and friends.
@Mossi28: Very sad to hear the news about Kevin Campbell, instrumental part of our great escape season and an absolute gentleman. RIP Kev
@elliot_stoney56: What shit news to wake up to. Rest in Peace Kevin Campbell & Matija Sarkic. Both far too young 🙏🌹
@JasonCrane272: RIP Kevin Campbell. One of my early memories of supporting arsenal and the Premier league. #arsenal #legend
@SteJDUFitness: Sad news in football world today with the young Millwall keeper and legend Kevin Campbell both passing away RIP to both ♥️
@ZHollowayyy: Kevin Campbell and Matija Sarkic in one day. Football has taken a beating after the elation of the opening of the Euro’s. Rest in peace both 😔
@IanParfitt: Very sad morning for football. RIP Kevin Campbell 🙏
@TheLifeOfMadge: RIP Super Kevin Campbell!…. Proper gent and a damn good striker. You’ll be missed as a bloke and pundit #dickiebowdays
@Bloomsefc1878: Fucking hell, just heard about Kevin Campbell. RIP Super Kev, devastated!
@knagberi: The news about Kevin Campbell is tough to take. RIP Super Kev. One of my heroes.
@_ChuBarker: What a sad day for football 😔 Gutted to hear about the passing of Matija Sarkic and Kevin Campbell, both were far too young to be leaving us. 🙏
@adbennoEFC: Absolutely gutted to hear about Kevin Campbell. Brilliant footballer and brilliant fella. On a night in out in town a few years ago he was in the same bar. Somehow ended up having a few pints with him and had a right laugh. What a guy he was. RIP Super Kev 💙
@James_D89: Will never forget his loan spell 1999. I was only 10 at the time and I couldn’t believe who this goal scoring machine from Turkey was? Match of the Day loved him and talked extensively about him. Kevin Campbell and that loan spell made a huge lasting impression on me. #efc
@ArsenalSea: RIP Kevin Campbell. I loved watching him. He always played with such enthusiasm and power. Some great goals and loved by everyone. Gone way too young. His beaming smile in the bruised banana shirt he wore with such pride is how I’ll always remember him.
@DanBellis88: Ahh man 😔 Kevin Campbell was one of the first Everton players I got on the back of my shirt. I had the pleasure of meeting the man himself twice at sportsman evenings and he was just the nicest person who had stories and time for everyone. Rest in peace ‘Super Kev’ 💙
@EvertonRuth2: I am so sad to hear that Kevin Campbell has died. He was a great player who stepped in when we needed a hero. After he retired I loved interacting with him here. So positive, so joyful especially on Dickie Bow Thursdays. Love and prayers to his family, what a loss he is for you.
RIP Kevin Campbell. Massive part of the Great Escape team of 2005. 😞 #wba pic.twitter.com/EYDr76zsug
— FPL Wade Wilson 🔴⚫️ (@FPL_WadeWilson) June 15, 2024
Thoughts are with the family of former striker Kevin Campbell who has passed away. pic.twitter.com/HgTvrtIidX
— View From The Ninian (@VFTNinian) June 15, 2024
RIP super Kevin Campbell. Such awful news and such a young age. Remember loving him growing up was such a cool bloke and loved him playing for the arsenal. Will be greatly missed can’t believe it 🔴⚪️❤️🙏 #superkevincampbell pic.twitter.com/VKAfzAI65y
— deano (@deanobaby89) June 15, 2024
Everything I ever saw or heard of Kevin Campbell suggested he was a top bloke. What horrible news. RIP. 😔 pic.twitter.com/6XuZFHehgy
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) June 15, 2024
Rest in peace, Kevin Campbell. Your leadership and passion on and off the pitch will always be remembered. Deepest condolences to your family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/aCmC0iSbpA
— WBA Rainbow Stand 🅙 (@TheRainbowStand) June 15, 2024

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