Manchester, UK — Former professional footballer Kevin Campbell, known for his illustrious career with Arsenal and Everton, passed away at the age of 54 due to natural causes, compounded by a heart infection and multiple organ failures. The coroner’s inquest in Manchester concluded that while Campbell’s condition deteriorated rapidly following a mysterious and dramatic weight loss, his death on June 15, last year, at Manchester Royal Infirmary was primarily due to naturally occurring illnesses.
Campbell’s health saga began alarmingly in January when he first sought medical help after unexpectedly losing a significant amount of weight. At the time of his admission, he weighed 136 kilograms but his weight plummeted over the ensuing months to just 59 kilograms. His sudden decline raised urgent medical concerns, sparking a series of intensive treatments and investigations.
During his prolonged hospital stay, which lasted seven weeks, Campbell was found to have suffered a stroke caused by a clot on his heart, leading to kidney and liver complications. Although initially suspected to be triggered by a viral infection possibly contracted during a vacation in Papua New Guinea, this theory was later dismissed by doctors.
Campbell, a revered figure in English football, began his career at Arsenal, where he ascended through the ranks to play a key role in their domestic successes in the early 90s. Scoring a total of 59 goals in 224 appearances for the club, he was part of the team that clinched the League Division One title in 1991. Apart from his celebrated tenure at Arsenal, Campbell also left a significant mark at Everton and had stints with Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, West Brom, and Cardiff City before retiring.
The inquest heard poignant testimonies regarding Campbell’s deteriorating health, with MRI consultant pathologist Dr. Robert Henney stating that Campbell’s physical fitness initially masked the severity of his illnesses, allowing them to progress substantially before they were detected. Despite an initial recovery aided by dialysis, his condition worsened dramatically upon re-admission in May, just a month before his death.
Prof. Peter Shelby noted during the inquest that there should have been more curiosity and prompt action from the medical team regarding the rapid health decline of someone who was previously healthy. This missed opportunity for an earlier diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a rare and severe heart infection, was acknowledged by the hospital’s internal review as a critical oversight.
However, the coroner, Zak Golombek, determined that even if this infection had been identified sooner, the options for intervention might have been limited due to Campbell’s frail health. Golombek concluded that the delay in diagnosis did not significantly alter the tragic outcome, affirming that Campbell succumbed to a combination of severe natural ailments.
Campbell’s legacy extends beyond the football pitch. After his playing days, he became an active member of the Black Footballers Partnership, which champions the rights and representation of black athletes in football. His death triggered an outpouring of tributes from former teammates, fans, and family, underscoring his impact both as a sportsman and a community figure.
His brother Harold and sister Lorna, who attended the inquest remotely, remembered Kevin not just as a football icon but as a cherished family member whose personality endeared him to many. His loss is felt deeply across the football community and by those who admired him off the field.