Hearing the news of Kevin Campbell’s passing earlier today reminds us how quickly life can change. Though we knew he had been ill and hospitalized, his death at just 54 years old is a loss we were not prepared for.
Earlier this year, on June 12th, we also mourned the passing of Willie Carlin, another former Leicester player, who had recently celebrated his 83rd birthday. Both men, though from different eras, left their mark during their time with the club.
Kevin Campbell joined Leicester City on loan from Arsenal during the 1989-90 season, where he made an immediate impact by scoring five goals in 11 league appearances. He went on to have a remarkable career at Arsenal, playing 163 league games and scoring 49 goals. Campbell is among the select few players to have won all three major domestic trophies in English football: the league title (1990-91), the FA Cup (1992-93), and the League Cup (1992-93). After Arsenal, he enjoyed spells at Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, Everton, West Bromwich, and Cardiff City, playing professionally until 2007.
In his later years, Campbell worked as a pundit for Sky Sports and ran a record label company, continuing to make his presence felt off the pitch.
Willie Carlin also had a brief but impactful stint at Leicester City, playing a key role during the 1970/71 season that saw the club promoted as champions. He began his career at Liverpool but moved to Halifax Town in search of regular first-team football. From there, he steadily climbed the ranks, joining Carlisle in 1964 before making significant strides with Sheffield United and Derby County, eventually landing at Filbert Street.
After a successful season at Leicester, Carlin moved on to play for Notts County and Cardiff City before retiring from professional football. Later in life, he settled in Allestree, Derbyshire, following a period running a bar in Majorca.
Rest in peace, Willie Carlin.
