Fans protest after Keegan quits

No arrests were made during the protest

More than 300 supporters gathered outside St James' Park after Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan resigned after just eight months in charge.

Many, waving banners, singing Keegan's name, chanted "sack the board" and calling for owner Mike Ashley to go.

One group marched up the steps at the Gallowgate end - the home fans' stand - and pushed against the door.

Police described the protest as "good-natured" and said no damage was caused and no fans arrested.

Fan Rob Best said it felt like "someone had died". Others chanted, "We hate Cockneys" - a reference to Dennis Wise, the former Chelsea and Wimbledon player effectively brought in over Keegan's head.

Mr Best, 47, a civil servant from Walkergate, Newcastle, said: "I feel sorry for the next manager who comes here."

The fans also chanted, "There's only one Kevin Keegan" and "Taxi for Ashley".

Best asset

But as the live television reports stopped on Thursday evening, the number of fans outside the ground declined.

Keegan quit after Newcastle failed to land any big-name signings in the transfer window.

Mark Jensen, editor of the Mag fanzine, said the club should have done more to protect its best asset.

He said: "When they brought Kevin Keegan back to the club they did not understand what he was all about and what he meant to everybody here.

"They did not understand how they should have valued him and what a massive positive he should have been for the club. It is such a waste."

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