SIX years to the day, 16 June 1998, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley Football Clubs lost one of their favourite sons.

Keith Newton died of lung cancer at 56 years of age and in a moving ceremony, representatives of the footballing world joined friends and family, to pay their last respects to one of the most gifted and esteemed professionals of our generation.

I spoke to his widow Barbara about that harrowing time.

"To be honest, the family had no idea of any problems until four months before he died. Keith had always been slim and fit and as there were no physical differences in his appearance, we didn't know that anything was wrong. I think he kept it to himself hoping to protect us from any distress.

"The tumour was attached to his ribs, which were removed and steel ones inserted in their place. He started to make good progress but within months the cancer returned and even though he had a course of aggressive chemotherapy, the specialists realised the tumour was far too advanced."

Keith had an impressive playing record. He was a stylish, talented defender, who made over 300 appearances for Blackburn Rovers, 48 for Everton and 209 for Burnley. He also represented England U23's on four occasions, the Football League 5 times and gained 29 full England caps.

He won an FA Youth Cup with the Rovers in 1959, a 1st Division Championship medal with Everton in 1970 and a 2nd Division Championship with Burnley in 1973.

When he signed for the Clarets in 1972 it initiated a very successful period for the club. Burnley had won their last five games of the previous season but manager Jimmy Adamson was looking for another piece of the jigsaw, in an effort to gain promotion the following year.

In a talented young side, Adamson's number one priority was a top class experienced defender. The transfer kitty was empty but that was only a minor irritation.

Keith, surprisingly released by Everton, was duly signed and a buzz of anticipation surrounded the club when the transfer was completed.

Barbara takes up the story: "Keith was anxious to get away from Everton. He didn't see eye to eye with the manager Harry Catterick and when Jimmy Adamson came to see him he really sold Burnley to him. Jim talked about the potential of the side but also about how important it was to a have a steadying influence at the back. I remember Keith being very impressed during those initial talks and both agreed on how the game should be played."

In an interview shortly afterwards, Keith didn't let the 'veteran' tag bother him. "Veteran me? You must be joking. This move has been like a breath of fresh air. I was no longer regarded as a member of the first team squad at Goodison so the time had come to get away"

His room mate Peter Noble remembers Keith fondly.

"Brilliant fella. When I came into the Burnley team I played out of position at right back but Keith talked me through the game- where to go, which position to take up. I wasn't the only one to improve my game. Leighton James was another, who developed his game through Keith's promptings and he improved on all fronts.

"He was respected by all the players. We also had a bit of fun on away trips. Alan Stevenson and Paul Fletcher would challenge us to a game of 'Pot Bin' in hotel rooms on Friday nights. Ash trays and litter bins would be scattered around the room and each one in turn would try their luck with a sand wedge. Stevo and Fletch would always place obstacles in our way but we felt it was a waste of time to inform the PGA of their dubious tactics."

Keith started his career at Ewood Park and after lining up alongside other future Internationals, Mike England and Fred Pickering, in the 2-1 F.A.Youth Cup victory against West Ham in 1959, (the Hammers had some pretty useful players in their side among them Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst) he signed professional forms.

Barbara was living in Altrincham at the time and used to go along to Old Trafford with her father to watch Manchester United.

"Quite a few of the young Blackburn players travelled over from the Manchester area and that's when I first met Keith in a coffee bar with the rest of the guys. We married in 1963 and I tried to see as many games as possible. When our son Craig was born he came as well.

"Craig became used to being around pro players. I remember when Burnley won the championship in 73 at Preston, he was allowed to travel back to Burnley on the team coach. I was in the car behind, when suddenly it stopped and out gets Craig with Leighton James. I thought, 'What's going on here?' They rushed into the nearest sweet shop and came back with loads of goodies. They got back on the coach and headed to the Turf for a celebration."

Keith was a class act and what price would he bring in the transfer market these days? He always seemed to have time on the ball and his anticipation and timing were uncanny. He had a real footballing brain and knew the game inside out. But he was also a very modest man and it came as no surprise when Barbara told me that, even though he was tickled pink at gaining numerous England caps, he was reluctant to show them to visitors, in case they felt he was boasting.

Barbara was in for a bit of a shock when Keith made his international debut against West Germany in 1966 at Wembley, a rehearsal of the World Cup Final later that year. He was carried off after colliding with his own keeper Gordon Banks, in a 1-0 victory.

"Joe Mercer, the Man City manager was sat in front of me and he turned round and told me he'd go down at half time to see if Keith was ok. Luckily there was no serious damage, he was just badly bruised. From then on he became a regular member of the side."

Keith was included in the 1970 World Cup squad in Mexico where he was the first choice right back. Prior to the tournament in December 1969, Keith signed for Everton in an £80,000 transfer. He was one of the major successes of the tournament.

"The conditions were difficult but Keith seemed to cope well. England had eight weeks of acclimatisation at high altitude but he took it all in his stride. They all took plenty of salt tablets but Keith was very happy with the organisation."

His room mate throughout was Bobby Charlton who proved to be the pivotal figure in the epic Germany game when Alf Ramsey felt he could substitute the influential United man in order to rest him for the next round. Not everything turns out the way you hope!

Barbara still attends most of Rovers home games and meets up with Keith's old playing colleagues Ronnie Clayton and Bryan Douglas. "It's nice to be able to get together and Blackburn have been superb in inviting me down on match days. It's the same at Burnley. Only last year, a presentation night was organised for that Championship winning squad. Great to keep in touch."

It was a sad loss to the world of football when Keith died. A great player and a gentleman. But one thing is for sure. He will not be forgotten. As one fan succinctly put it

"When Keith Newton is playing, he is a positive joy to watch and worth the admission money on his own!"