Everton lead tributes to Kevin Campbell as club plans to honour 'giant of a man'

Everton have led the heartfelt response to the death of Kevin Campbell with a touching tribute amid plans to honour him next season.

The 54-year-old, a hero of Goodison Park whose iconic spell at the end of the 1998/99 season led the Blues to safety, was described by the club as “a giant of a man”.

He became the club’s first black captain as he went on to score 51 goals across 164 appearances - including the winner in a famous Merseyside derby win at Anfield.

TRIBUTES: Thank you Kevin Campbell, you were the hero Everton needed most

READ MORE: Kevin Campbell Everton hero dies aged 54

Campbell’s death was confirmed on Saturday morning, initially by another of his former clubs, Arsenal. He had been battling a serious illness that had seen him taken to hospital at the end of last month.

The news of his passing prompted an outpouring of grief led by Everton, with the club adding that plans would be drawn up for a tribute to the striker, a popular character across football beyond his playing career, for the start of next season.

In an emotional tribute, the club said: “Everyone at Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the club's most popular and much-loved former strikers, Kevin Campbell, at the age of 54. Not just a true Goodison Park hero and huge fans' favourite, Kevin was the Blues' first black captain and also an incredible person, as anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him would know.”

Campbell moved to Merseyside from Turkish side Trabzonspor in March 1999 for what would become an iconic loan spell, in which he scored nine goals in five games - a spell that lifted Everton to safety and which paved the way for a permanent move. He captained the side for the first time in 2001 for the Premier League match at Coventry City and wore the armband with pride on many more occasions. His last Everton appearance came in a win against Portsmouth in January 2005.

Everton continued: “His contribution to Everton Football Club, however, extends way beyond statistics. One of the most popular men to ever wear the royal blue jersey, he remains an icon amongst Evertonians and was the perfect ambassador who always thoroughly enjoyed returning to Goodison Park in a media capacity or to cheer on the Toffees as a fan… He was a giant of a man, a fabulous footballer and he will be sorely missed by everyone fortunate enough to know him. The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with his family at this extremely sad time and we will, of course, pay a suitable tribute when next season kicks off.”