West Brom News pays tribute to Kevin Campbell
West Brom hero Kevin Campbell has sadly passed away at the age of 54 after a short illness.
Campbell will always be remembered fondly by Albion fans for his involvement in the Great Escape of 2005, when the former Arsenal striker moved to The Hawthorns and completed the unlikeliest of feats.
The Baggies became the first team to avoid relegation from the Premier League after being bottom at Christmas and, to this day, remain the only Premier League club to have started the last day of the season bottom of the table and then earn survival.
Campbell joined West Brom in January 2005 on a free transfer from Everton but went on to score three goals in 16 appearances in the rest of that season while also wearing the captain’s armband a number of times.
Albion managed to avoid the drop by beating Portsmouth 2-0 on the final day of the campaign, sparking wild and unforgettable scenes at The Hawthorns.
West Brom News was delighted to have Campbell speak to us about all things Albion between 2022 and 2023. In our first chat with the Lambeth-born forward, he spoke with pride about that Great Escape season.
“These are special, special times,” Campbell told West Brom News in October 2022.
“Under manager Bryan Robson, number two was Nigel Pearson, Craig Shakespeare was on the staff, Michael Appleton was on the staff. All four of those have been managers.
“We had some good players, some experienced players in that squad mixed with youth and we got on the Bryan Robson train and decided there aren’t many chances we’re going to get to make history – and that was the focus from all of us.
“And that’s what we did. We ended up being the first side who were bottom at Christmas – or bottom at new New Year – to stay up.
“That there is The Great Escape.
“People have done it since, but we proved it can be done. It was tough at times because you have to take your losses, but what a remarkable feat for all of us at the club. I still say – that is the greatest thing I’ve ever done in football.
“Everyone wrote us off. Everyone. The club should be proud.”
Campbell also spoke to West Brom News about the celebrations that ensued, as well as the torturous wait for full-time in Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw at Charlton.
“There’s a definite moment where on the last day of the season we win, we’ve beaten Portsmouth, the fans are on the pitch and we’re waiting for the Charlton v Crystal Palace game because that got delayed,” he said.
“We’re all waiting on the pitch for the result to come through.
“So we’ve held serve at home, we’ve won the game. We know it’s 2-2 at Charlton but I think there were about eight minutes to go – could you imagine?
“People had radios and everything – it was a nightmare. But I think that bonded us to the fans even more, especially when the news came through.
“And that iconic picture where I’m pouring a bottle of champagne over Bryan Robson’s head.
“Because the wait was such a long wait I was just trying to wash the sweat off.“
Tributes have poured in for Campbell since the news broke of his death.
Robbie Earnshaw took to his personal X account to share a beautiful post about his former Albion teammate: “The whole of football will miss you Kev. RIP.
“I used to room with Kevin Campbell when we were together playing at West Brom and my fond memories are of him telling me stories across the bed or giving me lessons on football (writing them down as he spoke, in my notebook).
“What a personality, character and great person.
“Sending love to his family.
“Gone too soon. I miss you, Kev.”
Tyrese Campbell, who is Kevin’s son and most recently played for Stoke City, has thanked people for the “outpouring of love” towards his father.
And that’s the thing with Kevin Campbell, everyone loved him. No one ever had a bad word to say about him as a footballer but especially as a human being.
He was a great man and he’s going to be greatly missed.
Everyone at West Brom News sends their best wishes to all of Kevin’s family and friends at this difficult time.
In other West Brom news, Campbell also spoke to us a bit about Carlos Corberan last year.
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