RIP Kevin Campbell: One of life's good guys

A tribute to the late Kevin Campbell who sadly died on Saturday

The endless possibilities of a Saturday morning were irretrievably shattered when the awful news broke.

Dreadful information to stop you in your tracks, make your throat catch, and your eyes well up.

Kevin Campbell died. 

A fact that I, like so many of us, failed to process. Didn’t want to process. Refused to process. 

Yes, we knew he’d been fighting his biggest battle against the unspoken ‘serious illness’ that was to take him. But there was always hope. And believe me, every single one of us hoped beyond hope that the big man would pull through. 

However, despite giving his all in his final battle, as he always did when in red and white, not to mention gracing the colours of Leyton Orient, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Everton, West Brom, Cardiff City and Turkish club Trabzonspor, clubs he proudly represented throughout his career - as witnessed by the outpouring of grief from all that benefitted from his presence - Big Kev finally succumbed. 

Saturday morning’s serenity had morphed into an unexpected freight train of grief that cruelly ploughed through you, unwanted pain punctured by a raft of calls and messages between myself and old pals who were equally as shocked, struggling to understand the abject finality of death.

All of us struggling to comprehend the death of a man deeply loved by all those you met him.

For those of us of a certain Arsenal vintage, the name Kevin Campbell produced a frisson of excitement.

We’d heard of his burgeoning talent, progress and achievements in the Arsenal youth teams - including the 1988 FA Youth Cup triumph - as the thrilling realisation came to us that another London lad was coming through the ranks to represent us all in George Graham’s first team.

This isn’t the time to revisit his Arsenal career. Suffice to say with his triumphs - which included a league title, an FA Cup and League Cup double as well as a gloriously unexpected European Cup Winners Cup triumph through the Miracle of Copenhagen - Kev left a raft of wonderful memories among his 55 goals in 210 games. 

Where to start with a favourite recollection?

For me it was watching this big beautiful, bustling striker absolutely brutalise Des Walker - at the time the best centre-back in Europe - at one cold Highbury evening during a demolition of Brian Clough’s acclaimed Forest side in North London.

In my mind’s eye I can still picture Big Kev bursting past the classy Walker to clinically slot home in front of his adoring fans on the Clock End terraces. Including a wide-eyed teenaged version of myself. 

But you don’t need me to remind you of your favourite memory of Big Kev playing for the Arsenal, you’ll have your own, specific, much-loved memory.

For those of us who were fortunate enough to meet Kev in later life - I was lucky enough to interview Kev a number of times for different publications over the years, not to mention the Big Man always having time for a quick press box chat and to inquire about my family, especially after my own father died - Kev was so much more than the numbers he posted during his storied career. 

Because Kev was one of those people who had tremendous empathy, which immediately and effortlessly endeared himself to you.

He possessed an emotional intelligence and a rare sensitivity to those around him. Which, allied with a lively sense of humour and a ready, cheeky glint in his eye meant you were immediately drawn to him whenever he entered a room. 

I recall in one of my interviews with Campbell that we got onto the subject of a hattrick he scored for The Arsenal during a 4-0 away win at Swindon. I was there in the away end that long-lost day from the 1990s, and gently joked that the limelight on Big Kev’s tremendous treble was stolen by his striking partner and life-long friend Ian Wright, who scored a superb long range effort.

Quick as a flash, self-deprecating glint in his eye, Campbell shot back with a huge beaming smile, “Yeah, Layth, that’s all well and good, but you see, I got to walk away with the match ball…”

Trips up to Goodison Park were enlivened by Kev taking the time to acknowledge you, and once again share a moment or two in a crowded press room, even despite the hectic demands on his time.

For, make no mistake his loss is felt as keenly at that proud, passionate club as much as in North London, not just because of his achievements during his time playing for the blue half of Merseyside but also for all the kind acts he rendered off the pitch, not least in giving his time to young players. Including Wayne Rooney.

It was instructive to note Rooney - like so many from the utterly stricken Ian Wright as well as the entire Arsenal team to England boss Gareth Southgate - was quick to share his condolences, while perceptively hailing Kev’s commitment to nurturing academy lads such as himself. ‘You’d never normally see a first team player take the time to speak to us,’ Rooney recalled.

It was testament to Kev’s gregarious nature that a litany of former teammates and former clubs lined up to pay their tributes to their fallen comrade.

From Don Hutchison at Everton, to Pierre van Hooijdonk - who once threatened to go on strike at the news that Forest had callously deemed the Big Man surplus to requirements - not to mention Danny Murphy, who recalled on the BBC that despite Big Kev clattering into him during a reserve game, putting him on the injury list for a spell, a concerned Campbell checked on Murphy as soon as the game ended. He was most certainly that type of guy.

But that was Big Kev all over. Humble and dignified, caring and committed, loyal and loving. He commanded respect without needing to ask for it. 

He also generated love - as witnessed by the outpouring of grief that came in relentless, unwanted waves all through Saturday, and today and will no doubt arrive unwanted and uninvited over the coming days and weeks.

The sadness of losing someone.

The cruel, empty sadness that an unexpected death leaves us with. One that also amplifies the desperate fragility of life.

Dreadful news that makes you stop in your tracks, makes your throat catch, and your eyes well up.

…….

Kevin Campbell RIP: 1970 – 2024. On behalf of everyone associated with the Gooner Fanzine our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Much love. Rest well Big Man.