MIKE KEENQueens Park Rangers legend Mike Keen died on 12 April, 2009, aged 69.The former R's captain lifted both the League Cup and Third Division Championship during his decade with the club.He also had spells with Luton Town and Watford before going into management, including a successful period with then non-league side Wycombe Wanderers, his home town club.Mike Keen was born in High Wycombe on 19 March, 1940. He was the father of former West Ham United and Stoke City player Kevin Keen.The midfielder began his career at QPR in 1959 and went on to play 393 league games and score 39 goals. The highlight of his career was the 1966/67 season in which he led his team to the Third Division Championship and the League Cup.In the League Cup final QPR came from two goals down to beat West Brom 3-2 at Wembley in front of nearly 100,000 people.He also helped the club to promotion to the First Division, but in 1969 was sold to Luton Town where he played 144 games and scored 11 goals.He went to Watford in 1972 and was appointed player-manager the following year. He became full-time manager in 1975 but was sacked two years later. He spent a season at Northampton Town before returning to Wycombe where he won the Isthmian League title in 1982/83. They also reached the FA Trophy semi-final in 1982.Mr Keen's son Kevin played for Wycombe Wanderers and became the club's youngest player when he made his début at 15. He also played for West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City.Mike Keen died after a short illness.Wanderers head of media Alan Parry paid tribute to him, saying: “I had the privilege of knowing Mike Keen for over 25 years and I can honestly say he was one of the nicest guys I've ever met in football - or any other walk of life.“Quiet, modest, courteous, always smiling and always ready to lend a helping hand, he was a gentle giant and a true gentleman. Mike will always have a special place in the history of our great club and although he didn't get down to Adams Park very often, he always followed our results. He would have loved to have seen us get promoted this season so let's make sure that we do it for him.”
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