Kevin Campbell dies after a short illness

Not only was he a great player but a fantastic person as well.

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.

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.

Terrible news, if it is.

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.

RIP, Super Kev, and thank you for what you did for our club. You'll always be remembered.

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.

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.

You could tell every time Kevin spoke about Everton it really meant something to him, unlike other ex-players.

RIP, Super Kev 😢

Rest in Peace, Super Kev

Rest in peace, SuperKev.

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.

A true gentleman who loved his time with us as much as we loved his. God bless him.

RIP, Big man!

Thanks for everything, Kevin. RIP.

RIP Super Kev.

A real hero.

I was fortunate enough to be there to see him put the ball in the RS net, thanks for the memories. RIP.

RIP Kev.

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.

I met him a few years ago, he was a lovely guy. So, so sad. RIP, sir. 😢💙

He will be fondly remembered by fans, a true gentleman and a great ambassador for our club.

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.

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.

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.

Thoughts to his family and friends, a true gentleman.

Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

RIP Kevin.

An absolute legend and hero amongst all Everton fans. RIP, Super Kevin Campbell.

You will always be remembered with gratitude and affection.

RIP, Kevin.

A shout out to the young Millwall goalkeeper who also died today at the young age of 26.

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.

Who put the ball in the redshite net. 💙

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 💙💙💙💙💙

Super Kev, forever putting the ball in the back of the RS net.

RIP

RIP, Kevin.

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.

My condolences to his family.

I hope there is a God just so he can look after you, Kevin.
RIP.

A lovely fellow taken far to soon. RIP, Kevin Campbell.

Rest in peace, Kevin.

What sad news.

Always loved, always remembered for what he gave us.

Forever blue, forever Everton.

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.

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.

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.

Had such a love for the club and we for him.

A gentleman on and off the pitch.

Rest in peace, Kevin.

Super Man and Player.

My thoughts are with the family and friends at this terrible time.

RIP, Kevin, and thank you for choosing Everton.

Deepest sympathy to all his family.

A cracking player and an even lovelier person. God bless, Kevin.

My thoughts are with his friends and family. 💙

So young. God bless.

Cruelly taken at a quite young age for current times. His family must be devastated. Terribly sad.

RIP, Super Kev.

Thank you for saving our skins. A true Everton legend.

Taken from us far too early but never forgotten. RIP, SuperKev.

RIP — you will be missed by many.

Devastated.

Stuck up for the fans too – which won't be forgotten. RIP and my condolences to his family.

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.

54 is no age to die.

Sad news. Rest in peace, Super Kev.

It faced the Royal Court...and I've never forgotten what the guy said... So sad.

Thank you for all did in royal blue, you kept us up, a real inspiration. RIP, Super Kev.

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.

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!

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.

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.

RIP Super Kev.

A true gentleman on and off the pitch.

Sad news Super Kev always one of us. NSNO.

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.

Articulate gentleman too with a clear fondness for his time at Everton. RIP.

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.

Thank you, Kevin, and RIP x.

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!

Thoughts with his family, RIP.

I've been in tears most of the morning.

We will never forget you, Kev. Rest in peace.

Never forgotten, always loved. Thanks for everything.

Nice piece on the club website, I hope they make a suitable gesture to his family.

RIP, Super Kev.

Thoughts are with his wonderful family. RIP, SuperKev.

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.

Thanks, Kev, sleep well. 💙

RIP, big man, I hope your family can find solace in knowing how loved and respected you were.

Rest In Peace, dear Kevin.

A nice little clip of Super Kev sharing his feelings about our mates from Mordor, made me smile:

UTFT

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.

Okay, maybe a bit ambitious there… but if we get another Super Kev, don't bet against it.

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.

RIP, Super Kev, and thanks for everything. 💙

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.

Bad last few months for Forest also, with Chris Bart Williams and of course Trevor Francis. 😢

RIP, Super Kev.

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.

God bless you, Kev.

Never forgotten.

RIP Super Kev. You will be sorely missed.

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.

We are so fragile...

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.

RIP, Super Kev, another Everton great, who will never be forgotten.

RIP.

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.

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.

Always the gentleman, Kevin loved Everton and Everton loved him!

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.

💙

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.

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. 💙🙏

A blue saviour... they don't come along often.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!!

Everton fans mob Kevin Campbell on Goodison Road before the February 2015 derby

Avoiding the car park and walking across the pitch. Instead, walking down Goodison Road amongst the supporters.

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.

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💙

I never rated Walter Smith but we had a tidy team early in the 1999/2000 season. Collins and Hutchison sliding balls through for Campbell and Jeffers to run onto. And our strike partnership was an actual partnership in every sense, they had a real understanding of each other.

On paper, Campbell only scores 12 goals that season, but, he had that in only 26 games and scored his goal of the season in early Feb, he got 2 against Wimbledon in a 3-0 win at their place.

He barely played after that due to injury, otherwise he would have been looking at a 15-18 goal season. Which sounds much more impressive than 12.

We had some real injuries, ended up with Hutchison up front in one game, and even signed Mark Hughes! Who was well past his best.

Amazingly enough, we were the 4 th highest scorers in the League that season, despite only finishing 13th.

Campbell was very, very good until his injury with goals and a few assists. Probably better than what I remembered, tbh.

RIP Super Kev. You really were respected by everyone and will be greatly missed.