An evening with footballing legend Kevin Keegan has raised £5,000 for the Mayor of Dudley’s charities, it was revealed today.

The former England captain and manager was at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill last week as around 300 people turned out to hear amusing anecdotes from his playing days.

Keegan confessed on stage the one team he wanted to play for while growing up was Wolves. That never happened – but he went on to enjoy a glittering career with Liverpool, Hamburg, Newcastle and Southampton after starting out with Scunthorpe United.

A number of items were also auctioned off on the night to raise further funds including signed football shirts and photo frames of the likes of Keegan, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush and many more. The night was put on and promoted by Wombourne-based Route 39 Productions, who organise similar events all over the country.

The cash will be split between the Mayor’s three charities – Dudley Mind, YMCA Black Country Group and Dudley Alzheimer’s Society. Councillor Dave Tyler, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“As a lifelong Liverpool fan and season ticket holder on the Kop, to be able to put on a night like this with a true footballing legend like Kevin Keegan really was a dream come true for me.

“He couldn’t have been nicer – he got there at 6pm and was still signing autographs and having pictures taken at nearly midnight.

“I’d like to personally thank everyone who came along and extend special thanks to Steve Saul and Route 39 Productions for putting it on. It was a night that will live long in the memory.”