Keegan Quote Voted Most Memorable

Kevin Keegan's famous television interview in 1996, when he was Newcastle United manager, has beaten off competition from four other shortlisted quotes to win the prize of Most Memorable Quote in the Premier League's 20 Seasons Awards.

Most Memorable Quote is the second category in the 20 Seasons Awards to be announced following Wayne Rooney's victory in the Best Goal category.

That was a public vote, but Keegan's Quote Award was decided by a panel of leading football figures, journalists and commentators. The other four nominees in the category were: Eric Cantona (Sardines), Jose Mourinho (Special One), Sir Alex Ferguson (Squeaky Bum Time) and Alan Hansen (Win nothing with kids).

Keegan's swashbuckling Newcastle side had dominated most of the 1995/96 campaign and held a 12-point lead over their nearest rivals at one point.

But Manchester United clawed their way back into the title race and with the season reaching its denouement, manager Alex Ferguson upped the ante by suggesting that other teams may not try as hard against Newcastle as they would against his side.

Keegan was furious and, asked about Ferguson's comments after the Magpies had defeated Leeds, he launched into this famous tirade live on TV:

"When you do that with footballers like he said about Leeds, and when you do things like that about a man like Stuart Pearce...

"I've kept really quiet but I'll tell you something, he went down in my estimations when he said that. We have not resorted to that. You can tell him now, we're still fighting for this title and he's got to go to Middlesbrough and get something. And I'll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.

"But it really has got to me. I've voiced it live, not in front of the press or anywhere. I'm not even going to the press conference. But the battle is still on and Man United have not won this yet."

Newcastle went on to draw their final two fixtures as Manchester United won the title by four points.

The 20 Seasons Awards are a celebration of 20 years of the Premier League, designed to honour the players, managers and football that has taken place over the two decades of the world's most watched and supported football league.

There were 300,000 fans who voted in the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards casting over 4.2m votes in five categories: Goal, Match, Save, Goal Celebration and Fantasy Team of the 20 Seasons.

In addition, there are also six panel categories: Player, Manager, Team, Season, Most Memorable Quote and Fantasy Team of the 20 Seasons.

The winners of these Awards will be announced over the next week, leading up to a special presentation ceremony to honour several winners on Tuesday 15th May when the Player and Manager of the 20 Seasons Awards will be announced.