Everton plan for tribute to Kevin Campbell as supporters plan gesture after striker’s funeral

Members of the Everton family who passed away this summer will be remembered ahead of the game with Brighton & Hove Albion but there will not be a pre-match tribute to Kevin Campbell this weekend.

Several members of the Everton family who passed away this summer will be remembered ahead of the club’s opening game of the season at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday but there will not be a pre-match tribute to Kevin Campbell. The former Blues striker died aged 54 at Manchester Royal Infirmary on June 15 from multi-organ failure due to a heart infection.

Following consultation with his family, a tribute for Campbell will take place ahead of Everton v Bournemouth on Saturday August 31 when family members can attend as special guests as the club. However, to ensure the memory of ‘Super Kev’ is honoured at the opening match of Goodison Park’s historic final season – the first fixture since he passed – the 1878s fan group are encouraging Evertonians to chant his name when the clock hits nine minutes, to signify his shirt number while at the club.

Evertonians are invited to join a period of applause in memory of former players Mick Gannon (81) and Frank D’Arcy (77), ex-physio Les Helm (87) and former first team coach Craig Shakespeare (60), all of whom passed away this summer. The applause will take place after the warm-ups and before the teams emerge for kick-off.

The 1878s will also be coordinating a flag and banner display in the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End before kick-off. Supporters are respectfully asked to leave behind any flags found by your seat so they can be collected and recycled for future matches.

A strong Everton delegation were in London to attend a moving funeral service for Campbell on Wednesday, August 14. Tributes were paid and readings delivered at an emotional two-hour service.