Kevin Keegan says his attachment to Newcastle United will never fade.
Since Keegan left, the Toon have been trundling along branch lines - there was nothing in the Premier League's £500 million transfer window turnover to suggest a return to the main line - but his love affair in black-and-white endures.
He told the Mirror: "I became detached from the owner and chairman for reasons which are well-known, and I have no reason to feel any loyalty towards them, but I will never become detached from the real lifeblood of the club, which is the fans, the players and staff.
"Owners and chairmen will come and go, but my affinity with the supporters is an unbreakable bond.
"When Newcastle played at Stevenage in the FA Cup last season, and I had to walk right in front of the travelling fans to reach the ESPN studio, it was a throwback to the days when supporters could get really close to the players, when they could feel they were part of a club's fortunes.
"You don't get that proximity any more - the coach drives into the stadium along an underground tunnel, the players all walk in wearing their headphones or talking on their phones. Afterwards they are whisked away again and they are gone, like thieves in the night.
"That's one area where the game has changed, and not necessarily for the better. Although it's understandable when football's public profile has never been higher."
