Kevin Keegan, one of English football's most celebrated figures and a resident of Hale, has died at the age of 75.
In a statement, his family announced his passing with "immense sadness", saying he had been battling cancer and died surrounded by his wife and daughters.
In a statement, his family added: "Kevin, a double Ballon D’or winner, was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support.
"This is a hugely difficult time and they are requesting space and privacy."
Keegan had made his home in Hale in recent years and was a well-known and popular figure in the village, often seen out and about.
His family revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and was due to begin treatment, after being admitted to hospital with abdominal symptoms.
Widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, Keegan made close to 750 club appearances in a career that took in Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle United.
At Anfield he became a talisman, winning the First Division title three times alongside the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup. A move to Hamburg brought a Bundesliga title and back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 1978 and 1979 - he remains the only Englishman to have won football's most prestigious individual honour twice.
He scored 21 goals in 63 appearances for England, captaining his country 31 times.
Keegan's managerial career began in dramatic fashion in February 1992, when he took charge of a Newcastle side threatened with relegation to the third tier. He kept them up, won promotion to the Premier League in his first full season, and built the swashbuckling "Entertainers" side that came agonisingly close to the title in 1995/96 - at one point leading Manchester United by 12 points before finishing second.
He went on to manage Fulham and then England between 1999 and 2000, resigning after defeat to Germany in the final match played at the old Wembley Stadium.
Closer to home, Keegan spent four years in charge of Manchester City, leading the club back to the Premier League as Division One champions in 2002 before departing in 2005. A brief, emotional return to Newcastle followed in 2008.
