Touching Distance
Kevin Keegan, the Entertainers and Newcastle's Impossible Dream
By Martin Hardy | Publisher: deCoubertin Books
About the book
At the start of February 1992 Newcastle United were facing relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history. They were also facing bankruptcy. St James Park had been neglected the club s best players had been sold.
In a daring move Newcastle appointed Kevin Keegan as manager. Keegan the two-time European Footballer of the Year had played for the club between 1982 and 1984. He had been out of football since.
His appointment as manager was as big a shock as when he arrived as a player.
Exactly four years after Keegan s return to the North east of England Newcastle were top of the Premiership nine points clear of Manchester United having played a game less.
It would turn out to be one of the most memorable seasons in the modern history of English football. Keegan s side would play a unique brand of football and become known as the Entertainers. They would take part in a game at Anfield that became widely recognised as the best the Premier League has ever seen. Keegan would also famously square up to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Touching Distance tells the story of that remarkable season through the highs and the lows of a truly dramatic campaign. It also traces the seeds of the revival back to Keegan s first spell as a player to his return and the dramatic impact he had on a football club its supporters and an entire region.
Touching Distance talks to the people who made it happen the players the coaching staff and the board and relives a truly momentous period for the club. It is a story of hopes and dreams and when for Newcastle United anything seemed possible.
Editions of Touching Distance
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781909245259
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781909245358
- Kindle
- ISBN B012U86OX6
Read an Excerpt
At the start of February 1992 Newcastle United were facing relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history. They were also facing bankruptcy. St James Park had been neglected the club s best players had been sold.
In a daring move Newcastle appointed Kevin Keegan as manager. Keegan the two-time European Footballer of the Year had played for the club between 1982 and 1984. He had been out of football since.
His appointment as manager was as big a shock as when he arrived as a player.
Exactly four years after Keegan s return to the North east of England Newcastle were top of the Premiership nine points clear of Manchester United having played a game less.
It would turn out to be one of the most memorable seasons in the modern history of English football. Keegan s side would play a unique brand of football and become known as the Entertainers. They would take part in a game at Anfield that became widely recognised as the best the Premier League has ever seen. Keegan would also famously square up to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Touching Distance tells the story of that remarkable season through the highs and the lows of a truly dramatic campaign. It also traces the seeds of the revival back to Keegan s first spell as a player to his return and the dramatic impact he had on a football club its supporters and an entire region.
Touching Distance talks to the people who made it happen the players the coaching staff and the board and relives a truly momentous period for the club. It is a story of hopes and dreams and when for Newcastle United anything seemed possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Touching Distance about?
At the start of February 1992 Newcastle United were facing relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history. They were also facing bankruptcy. St James Park had been neglected the club s best players had been sold.
In a daring move Newcastle appointed Kevin Keegan as manager. Keegan the two-time European Footballer of the Year had played for the club between 1982 and 1984. He had been out of football since.
His appointment as manager was as big a shock as when he arrived as a player.
Exactly four years after Keegan s return to the North east of England Newcastle were top of the Premiership nine points clear of Manchester United having played a game less.
It would turn out to be one of the most memorable seasons in the modern history of English football. Keegan s side would play a unique brand of football and become known as the Entertainers. They would take part in a game at Anfield that became widely recognised as the best the Premier League has ever seen. Keegan would also famously square up to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Touching Distance tells the story of that remarkable season through the highs and the lows of a truly dramatic campaign. It also traces the seeds of the revival back to Keegan s first spell as a player to his return and the dramatic impact he had on a football club its supporters and an entire region.
Touching Distance talks to the people who made it happen the players the coaching staff and the board and relives a truly momentous period for the club. It is a story of hopes and dreams and when for Newcastle United anything seemed possible.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Touching Distance?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Biography: general > Biography: sport
Where can I read a sample of Touching Distance?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781909245259
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Touching Distance?
Martin Hardy
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Touching Distance is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781909245259) and paperback(ISBN 9781909245358) and kindle(ISBN B012U86OX6)