By the age of 24, Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell had winner’s medals from every major domestic competition, and then some.
A product of the club’s academy, he contributed nine goals in the Gunners’ 1990-91 title triumph, and played every minute of their cup double in 1993 (even the FA Cup Final replay). He was also in the starting eleven for their 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, deployed on the right wing in a 1-0 win over Parma.
Though a part of the Arsenal family, Super Kev arguably garnered even more adulation at Everton.
Kevin joined the club towards the back end of the 1998-99 season, after a racist incident with Trabzonspor chairman Mehemet Ali Yilmaz brought his time in Turkey to a premature close. The Toffees were coming unstuck in the Premier League, hovering just two points above the drop.
Campbell reintroduced himself to the Premier League in stunning fashion. He scored twice on his debut in a win over Coventry City, notched another two in a 3-1 victory at Newcastle, and a third consecutive brace against Charlton Athletic. He also scored a hat-trick in the penultimate game of the season, a 6-0 routing of West Ham.
Understandably, Everton were very keen to make the move permanent, doing so once survival was secured. Kevin was the main man up front, top-scoring with 12 goals in all competitions in 1999-00 – none more important than his Merseyside derby winner at Anfield.
With David Weir out injured, Walter Smith entrusted Campbell with the captaincy for a trip to Coventry in January 2001. In wearing the armband, Super Kev became the first player of Black heritage to serve as Everton captain, doing so many more times over the course of his time at Goodison. Fittingly, he scored in his first game as skipper, the final goal in a 3-1 victory at Highfield Road.
Campbell continued to lead the line with his industrious, all-action style of play, and though he struggled in front of goal in 2001-02, he struck double figures the following season.
With Kevin approaching his mid-thirties, niggling injuries – and the emergence of a prodigious young talent called Wayne Rooney – limited his playing opportunities.
After 164 games and 51 goals, the forward left Merseyside for the Midlands, spending two more years in the top flight with West Brom before one final season with Cardiff in the Championship. As of 2026, he remains the highest uncapped Premier League scorer with 83 goals to his name.
Beloved by fans for his endeavour on the pitch and his personality off it, Campbell is warmly remembered by supporters, particularly those in Arsenal and Everton colours. He is particularly exalted at the latter, and was a regular visitor to Goodison in the years following his retirement, be it in a media capacity or simply as a supporter.
Sadly, Kevin passed away in June 2024. His family has channeled his passion for supporting communities into The Kevin Campbell Foundation, using football to influence, inspire and change lives.
The Foundation has very kindly loaned one of his Everton shirts to us, sharing Kevin’s legacy as part of our Black in the Game exhibition.
Lorna Campbell, Kevin’s sister and CEO at the Kevin Campbell Foundation, said: “We were honoured and humbled that Kevin’s Everton shirt could be part of such an important exhibition. The fact that Kevin was the first black captain at Everton demonstrates his role in breaking down barriers and influencing what modern football teams look like today.”