Ex-Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell in hospital after falling ill

Well-wishes and messages of support are flooding in from the football community for former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell. The 54-year-old is understood to be in hospital after falling ill last week.

Campebll joined Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1985, quickly making waves in the academy after scoring an enormous 59 goals in a single season. An FA Youth Cup winner with the Gunners in 1988, he then made his first-team debut against future employers Everton that very same year.

He then featured over 200 times for Arsenal, with the London-born goal-machine clinching five major honours during his time with the English giants.

Campbell then moved to Nottingham Forest in 1995, where he featured for four years before signing for Trabzonspor. A transfer to Everton then followed in March 1999.

Despite Everton being embroiled in a relegation battle and slipping into the drop zone following a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in his home debut, the striker’s extraordinary goal-scoring tally of nine goals in five games secured Premier League survival with one game to spare.

Campbell played for Everton until 2005, when he left for West Bromwich Albion, before he later joined Cardiff City on a short-term deal. He amassed over 540 professional appearances during his two-decade long career in which he found the back of the net 148 times.

And fans have rallied around the former Arsenal and Everton striker on X (formerly Twitter) after the news emerged that he was in hospital. Ex-Premier League star Trevor Sinclair sent his best wishes, saying: “Sending prays, love and light to Kevin Campbell. Absolutely lovely human.”

Ste Kelly wrote on social media: “In 1999 Evertonians prayed to God and Kevin Campbell answered. Now we’re praying to Kevin Campbell, time for God to answer and help him. Dig deep big man, scramble for this.”

Rob Coppell expressed his concern by saying: “Sending love, strength, and best wishes to Super Kevin Campbell.”

Emma Webb also offered her prayers: “Just heard about Kevin Campbell… sending all my love to him, praying he gets well soon.”

Ryan Fletcher echoed this sentiment, stating: “Thoughts and prayers go out to Kevin Campbell and all his family and friends. Kevin is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met really hope he makes a full recovery and gets better asap.”