Kevin Campbell was a striker who combined finesse, strength and finishing ability to great effect during a career in which he played a prominent role at several clubs.
Campbell, who died at the age of 54, is perhaps best known for his time at Arsenal, where he won the First Division title in 1991, and won the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993, before playing in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final victory over Parma in the next year.
The other highlight of Campbell’s career came when he joined Everton on loan from Turkish side Trabzonspor in March 1999 to end a nightmare spell in Turkey, scoring nine goals in eight games to help Walter Smith’s side avoid relegation.
He became an increasingly popular figure at Everton for scoring the winning goal in the 1-0 Merseyside derby victory at Anfield in September 1999. It would be 22 years before the Toffees won there again to secure their permanent place. of Campbell in the affections of the blue middle. from Merseyside.
Born in Lambeth, Campbell rose to prominence at Arsenal’s youth system, winning the FA Youth Cup in 1988 and once scoring 59 goals in a single season at that level.
He has often played in the shadow, at least when measured by his profile, of strikers such as Alan Smith, Paul Merson and, more recently, Ian Wright, but Campbell’s adaptability, versatility and team ethic, combined with his natural attacking instinct , made him a vital component of the team. manager George Graham’s successes at Highbury.
The flowering of Campbell’s Arsenal career came after loan spells at Leyton Orient, who he helped promote from the Fourth Division in 1989, then Leicester City in Division Two, before returning to the Gunners and really coming into his own.
Campbell scored eight goals in 10 games during the run as Arsenal won the title in 1990-91 in what was an era of renaissance for the Gunners under Graham.
He was sold to Nottingham Forest in a £2.5 million deal in the summer of 1995, although Forest were relegated at the end of his second season there.
However, Campbell scored 23 goals in a devastating partnership with Pierre van Hooijdonk as Forest returned to the Premier League at the first attempt – only for fans to be stunned when the club agreed to sell Campbell to Trabzonspor.
Van Hooijdonk actually went on strike for a period in protest at the departure of Campbell – who scored 36 goals in 88 games for Forest – and ended up returning to the Netherlands with Vitesse Arnhem.
Campbell’s time in Turkey ended in controversy and unhappiness when Trabzonspor’s then president told journalists after a heavy home defeat to Kocaelispor: “We bought a cannibal who calls himself a striker.”
Despite claims of misunderstanding, Campbell said at the time: “This is the greatest insult I have received in my life. Nothing, no apology, can heal the injury. It would be better if I could walk away with my pride.”
Campbell was well-liked by his team-mates and fans in Turkey, but the Premier League came calling again in the form of a struggling Everton team, who he helped avoid relegation before joining permanently in the summer of 1999.
He remained at Everton for more than five seasons as a mainstay, first under Smith and then his successor David Moyes. He is Everton’s fifth highest scorer in the Premier League with 45 goals, scoring 51 goals in 164 appearances in all competitions for the club.
Campbell played an important role in Wayne Rooney’s development after he burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton, acting as the brilliant young firebrand’s experienced, trustworthy and clever guide.
He previously played a similar role under Francis Jeffers when he was at Everton, before going on to play for Arsenal and England.
He left for West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer in January 2005, a season in which the Baggies staged what is still known as “The Great Escape” at The Hawthorns, becoming the first team in Premier League history to remain in the Premier League. position after coming in last place. from the table at Christmas.
Campbell, who won four caps for England U21 and one for England B despite never being part of the international squad, retired after a short spell at Cardiff City.
Away from football, Campbell formed a record label called 2 Wicked in the latter stages of his time at Everton and, after his retirement, took part in humanitarian work visiting refugees in Iraq and Africa.
He was proud of the successes of your son Tyrese, who played for Stoke City in recent seasons.
Campbell also worked as a commentator and was a regular at his old clubs, where his warm and open personality meant he was always welcomed with open arms.
He was happy to interact with fans, whether on the streets before games at Emirates Stadium or Goodison Park, or as a regular special guest on the popular podcast ‘The Highbury Squad’.
Campbell was a player and a man who never lost touch with his roots.
