FOOTBALLING legend Kevin Keegan is coming to the Black Country for a special night to raise cash for the Mayor of Dudley’s charities.

The former England manager, who also captained the national side as a player on 31 occasions, will be at The Copthorne Hotel, in Brierley Hill, on Thursday, October 19.

Tickets for ‘An Evening with Kevin Keegan’ cost £60 and include a three-course meal. There will also be a charity raffle and auction with proceeds being split between Dudley Mind, YMCA Black Country Group and Dudley Alzheimer’s Society – the mayor’s chosen charities.

Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Dave Tyler, said: “As a lifelong Liverpool fan, Kevin Keegan is one of my all-time footballing heroes.

“He is one of the most colourful characters in the game and will have plenty to talk about from his time both as a player and a manager.

“It will be an honour to meet him and it promises to be a great night, with the added benefit of raising money for three great causes.”

As a player, Keegan was famed for his bubble perm and enjoyed a glittering career with Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United after starting his career at Scunthorpe United. He scored 204 career goals in 592 games and also won 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals.

His first foray into management came with a return to Newcastle United in 1992. Admired for his attacking, swashbuckling brand of football, he led them back into the Premier League and within a whisker of winning the title.

Keegan also managed Fulham, Manchester City and England before his last managerial post, a second spell at Newcastle which ended in 2008.

To book tickets for the event, which is being organised by Black Country-based firm Route 42 Productions, call 01902 244220.