For nearly 20 years this rugged inspirational striker was
very at the heart of English football. Alan Shearer realized many of his
boyhood dreams to become captain of his hometown club and his country in short
an iconic figure of English football. Supporting a football club is all about
dreams and inspirations and for those who follow Newcastle United those dreams
focus on the iconic no 9 shirt. The history of the club is dominated by legends
of the past who wore it with pride and scored hundred of goals. Alan Shearer
grew up in Newcastle on Tyne side the fans of Newcastle United. His childhood
hero was Kevin Keegan who joined the club in 1982. Keegan the player was
integral to their promotion to the English first division. He shared his
boyhood dream with thousands of others but local scout Jack Hickson presented
Alan Shearer’s father with a opportunity 300 miles away on England south coast.
The prospect of a professional contract meant leaving went
home comforts behind but aged just 14 Shearer flourished in Southampton
embracing his new found independence and freedom. He adapted quickly developing
friendships and a strong character. In the mid 1980 Southampton was an ideal
breeding ground for young players and Shearer impressed manager and gives his
home debut against Arsenal in April 1988 it proved to be unforgettable. Despite
his outstanding debut Shearer was integrated in to the Southampton first team
slowly if it was clear he had strength self belief and an eye for goal. One
header at Old Trafford helped not Manchester United out of the FA CUP. Shearer
was widely expected to sign for Manchester United but in 1992 it was newly
promoted Blackburn Rovers managed by Kenny Dalglish who won the race for his
signature. Financed by local multi-millionaire Jack Walker Blackburn British
record 3.6m pounds for Shearer. His second season Blackburn finished runners up
to Manchester United but Shearer scored 31 goals in 40 games and won the
football writers player of the year award. In 1994 the arrival of a new strike
partner Chris Sutton from Norwich City pointed towards a changing of the guard
at the top of English football.
The league title would go to the final day and with a two Points
advantage over their rivals. Blackburn knew that victory against Liverpool
would see them crowned premier league champions. Jack Walker’s dream had been
realized his record investment in first Shearer and then Sutton led to a league
partnership with 49 goals. Shearer tally of 34 goals led to his follow professional
voting him player of the year. The following season Blackburn’s form was
indifference eliminated from the Champions league at the group stages they
finish seventh in the premier league. Shearer goal scoring continued he was
again in the divisions top scorer with 31 goals. He scored 13 goals in 11 games
for England U-21 led to a first senior cap against France in 1992. Two years
later football came home Euro 96 was held in England the excitement mounted but
Shearer hadn’t scored an international goal for two years. Shearer first half
goal against Switzerland was the perfect to repost but better was to follow he
opened the scoring against Scotland. The final group opponents were the Dutch
and their formidable Ajax stars who’d won the champions league a year earlier.
It was a brilliant performance augmented by the link up play between Shearer
and Teddy Sheringham. After defeated Spain on penalties England faced Germany
in the semi final at Wembley England and Shearer made the perfect start.
Shearer finished Euro 96 as the tournament top scorer his five goals earning
the golden boot award.
The transfer fee of 15m pounds meant the 26 years old was
the world’s most expensive player to Newcastle United. Shearer marked his home
debut with a goal against Wimbledon and the season was still in its infancy
when the Champions Manchester United arrived at st.Jame’s park. The 5-0
demolition of Manchester United hinted at the Newcastle resurgence but few
would have predicted what happen next. The striker tremendous form continued he
was top scorer in the premier league for the third consecutive season with 25
goals including a hat-trick against Leicester city as Newcastle trail 3-1 with
fifteen minutes remaining. Newcastle plummeted in the league the situation came
to a head during a dramatic derby match with rivals Sunderland. Shearer led
England through qualification to the 1998 world cup but the tournament was
short-lived his only world cup experience ended after a dramatic penalty
shootout to Argentina in the second round. Two years later elimination from
Euro 2000 Shearer announced his retirement from international football. His
England tally ended on 30 goals from 63 games.
Newcastle return to the Champions League in 2002 was
initially underwhelming but Shearer’s penalty against Dynamo resurrected their
fortunes he scored five more goals in the tournament including a hat-trick
against Bayer Leverkusen. He spent ten years at Newcastle United and scored 200
goals. Alan Shearer bowed out of the game a bloodied goal scoring hero ruthless
brave clinical and record total of 260 premier league goals that will perhaps
never be broken.
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