[edit] Keith Newton

Extracted from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Newton

Keith Robert Newton (23 June 1941 - 15 June 1998) was an English footballer.

Newton was born 1941 in Manchester. He played football for Blackburn Rovers, Everton and Burnley. He signed for Blackburn Rovers in October 1960. Originally a wing-half, he was converted to a full-back, and became one of England's finest defenders. He played at either right or left-back.

Newton signed for Everton in December 1969 for £80,000, after making over 300 first-team appearances for Blackburn Rovers. He made 58 appearances for Everton scoring only one goal. He played in the latter half of the 1969-70 season in which Everton won the championship. Everton gave him a free transfer to Burnley in 1971.

Newton won his first cap for England in February 1966. He played 27 times for England until 1970 including the first three matches of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico before being injured.

Newton retired from playing in May 1978.

He died at the age of 56 after a long battle with lung cancer.

[edit] Fans' grief as Keith Newton dies at 56

http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/1998/6/17/798853.html

[edit] Personal recollections

Keith Newton was a next door neighbour but one, I was childhood friends with his son Craig. I remember him as very quiet and unassuming, his wife would often give us apples when we played in their backyard. Wilpshire was quite a haven for ex-Rovers, Ronnie Clayton lived (and I believe still does) on Knowsley Road, adjacent to Knowlsey Road West where Keith Newton lived. Both ran newsagencies in Blackburn after and (in Ronnie's case during) their playing careers. I never saw Keith play or even any recordings but mention his name to any Rovers fan (of a certain age!) and they will tell you he was one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
--RoverDownUnder 10:30, 25 August 2007 (CDT)