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This week, 11 years ago....
Days before his 26th birthday, Alan Shearer was unveiled to a throng
of Newcastle supporters at St. James Park. Thousands flocked on
a rain-soaked afternoon to welcome home their prodigal son.
The Magpies’ manager at the time, Kevin Keegan, had been Shearer’s
hero growing up and was instrumental in bringing him to the club
for a then world record fee of 15 million. Newcastle fans everywhere
had been craving a league title, something they had not seen since
1927, and they saw the Euro ‘96 golden boot winner as the man
to lead them to silverware.
Being a Geordie, Alan had no problem winning the fans over and gelled
instantly with the squad, scoring on his home debut with a curling
free kick against Wimbledon. He finished his first season in black
and white as the Premiership’s leading goal scorer with twenty-five
goals. This was not enough, however, as Manchester United claimed
their second consecutive league title. Kenny Daglish, who was Shearer’s
manager at Blackburn when they won the Premiership, had taken over
from Keegan and had promised great things.
Shearer led Newcastle to the FA Cup final in 1998 only to be defeated
2-0 by a double chasing Arsenal. The following year it was a case
of déjà vu as Manchester United beat them 2-0 in the
final at Wembley, only this time it was under the guidance of Ruud
Gullit.
In September ‘99 Bobby Robson replaced Ruud Gullit (with whom
Shearer had a falling out) in the Newcastle hot seat and things
again looked bright for Super Al and the toon. It was not to be
though, despite qualifying for the Champion’s League in 2002
and Shearer maintaining a phenomenal goals/games ratio, the Magpies
never really mounted a serious title challenge.
2005 saw Robson lose his job and it was Graeme Souness’ turn
to attempt to bring some silverware to St. James Park. He signaled
his intention by signing Shearer’s former strike partner Michael
Owen for a club record of 17 million. But, once again, despite Shearer’s
high strike rate, Newcastle failed to live up to their potential
and Souness would follow in the footsteps of Robson, Gullit, Daglish
and Keegan, out the door and trophy-less.
Against Sunderland in April 2006 Alan Shearer played his last match
for the club and retired from the game. After a decade on Tyneside
he scored 206 goals in 404 games, breaking Jackie Milburn’s
long-standing record of 200 goals for Newcastle. Shearer is also
the Premier League’s all-time leading goal scorer with 260
goals. In addition, he hit the net 30 times for England and captained
his country under Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan.
Despite his phenomenal goal-scoring record and long list of personal
honors, Super Al only ever won one major trophy- the Premier League
with Blackburn in 1995. On retiring he was asked if he had any regrets.
His reply was simple; “When I was a boy I wanted to wear the
number 9 shirt and score goals at St. James Park- I’ve lived
my dream.”
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