Shepherd: I’ll buy Toon and bring back Keegan

Sep 21 2008 by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun

Twins of 85 join calls for Keegan’s return

TOON-mad twins Ella Hutchinson and Nora Bartley are leading the battle cry to see King Kev return to Newcastle United . . . at the grand old age of 85.

The plucky pensioners — lifelong Newcastle supporters — have signed the Sunday Sun’s petition demanding the reinstatement of The Geordie Messiah.

And the identical twins’ determination to see Keegan return doesn’t stop at the petition.

Last Saturday they were in the middle of the demonstration outside the Milburn entrance to St James’s Park.

Ella, who lives next door to her twin Nora in Newcastle, said: “It was a marvellous experience. Nora and I have Newcastle- mad relatives in Canada and Turkey so we decided that we would go along and represent them.

“Everyone was making their way up the tunnel chanting ‘Keegan, Keegan!’ so I joined in and my sister said I was doing more shouting than the men.

“Quite how we got ourselves wedged in the middle of that crowd I’ll never know, but we got carried away with the whole thing.

“We were right alongside all the police on horseback . . . we were nearly under their noses. When it was finishing we were pushing our way out and a PC said to us ‘What do you two think you’re doing?’

“We told him we were trying to leave and he showed us a way to get out.”

Ella told how she and Nora have always followed the trials and tribulations of the Magpies, but now they prefer to keep tabs on the club from the comfort of their armchairs. She said: “I don’t go to any games any more. I’ve been to three in the last three and a half years.

“I look after the kids while the rest of the family goes . . . I’m 85 now so it’s their time.

“But I’m a Toon supporter through and through. My nephew in Canada phones all the time to ask ‘Aunty Ella, what’s the score?’ and I tell him what’s happening, whether it’s exciting, happy or sad.

“I’ve always liked Kevin Keegan . . . but are the players supporting him?

“From the supporters’ point of view if Keegan wants to come back everyone would be 100 per cent behind him.”

Ella’s daughter-in-law Pat, who lives in Canada, added: “We are so proud of our Ella and Nora and just think they are amazing. What makes them so special is that they just get out there and do it.”