Yes I know, it is not the norm to write a testimonial to a living person, but when the person is as special as Alan Shearer, then he deserves something, well, special. Super Al (as he is affectionately called by his fans) was not just the ideal role model for a generation, he was the very embodiment of the perfect footballer in the 90s. his typical style to celebrate a goal, with true innocent happiness splashed across his face and one arm lifted, finger pointing towards the almighty was simple, yet heart warming. And it is this simplicity and humbleness of his (tough to find among footballers of his stature) that captivated fans not just in England, but all across the globe. This man was the reason I started watching football and he holds a very very special place in my eyes (which I don’t think any other sportsman might ever take). Alan was born in Gosforth, England on 13 Aug 1970. He was interested in football at a very young age, but the irony was that the would be legend of Newcastle FC was rejected by the very club when he tested for their junior team as a goalkeeper at the tender age of 15 when he used to play for Wallsend Boys Club. But his talent did not go unnoticed for long, and he was soon picked up as an apprentice with Southampton, although as a striker and not as a goalkeeper. He made his debut as a substitute against Chelsea on 26 Mar 1988. But it was his full debut on 9 Apr 1988 that made national headlines as he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal at an age of 17 yrs and 240 days, thereby breaking the record of Jimmy Greaves to become the youngest player to score a hat-trick in top flight football.
His performance certainly aroused interest and in 1992 Blackburn manager Kenny Dalglish signed him up for £ 3.3 million (notable here is that Shearer turned down an offer from Manchester United then). Here actually started his rise. He was in prolific form, scoring 31 goals from 40 matches in the 1993-94 season, guiding his club to second position in the league. This won him the “Football Writer’s Footballer of the Year Award” that season. The arrival of Chris Sutton for the 1994-95 season led to the formation of the feared “SAS” (Shearer and Sutton) partnership. This added factor ensured that both Shearer and his club bettered their previous year’s record. Alan netted 34 goals from 42 matches, while Blackburn finished as champions of the Premiership, and this remains the legend’s only club silverware of his career. He moved up in the awards ladder too, winning the PFA Player of the Year Award. Next season also the form continued and he scored 31 goals from 35 matches, however the club could only finish a disappointing 7th. These two seasons Shearer also got a taste of European football as Blackburn featured in the UEFA Cup and Champions League respectively, though with no success. Shearer was the highest scorer in the league for an astonishing 3 CONSECUTIVE SEASONS from 1994-95 till 1996-97
Alan was now in his prime and the poster boy of English football. In 1996 he received another offer from Manchester United, however Jack Walker would not allow this under any circumstances. So Shearer joined Newcastle United managed by his boyhood hero Kevin Keegan, and little did he know that this would change his life. He was transferred for a whopping (then) transfer fee of £15 million making him the MOST EXPENSIVE FOOTBALLER IN THE WORLD at the time. What followed, as they say, is history. This was the beginning of a very special relationship with Newcastle, Keegan and the Geordies. His first season at the club earned him his second PFA Player of the year award. Though the next three seasons were average by his high standards (as in the respect of number of goals scored). Nevertheless he guided Newcastle to two consecutive FA Cup finals, and to the semis in the third year. He was deservingly promoted to the position of captain in 1999, which he held till his retirement
Unfortunately his career in the national team was never as glamorous. He was picked up for the England U-21 team in 1989, scoring a whopping 13 goals in 11 matches. This potent spell did not go unnoticed, and the coach of the senior team, Graham Taylor gave him his debut against France in Feb 1992 (followed by his only match for England B team a month later). He impressed here too and scored in his debut with the country’s senior team. In the absence of the legendary Gary Linekar (who retired after Euro 92), Shearer was expected to spearhead the England with (another would be legend) Paul Gascoigne. However an injury kept him out of a large part of the 94 World Cup qualifiers, in which eventually England failed to progress. Though this was a big disappointment for everyone, Shearer decided to focus on the upcoming Euro 96. This would be his first major competition for his country, and he did not disappoint. Wearing the coveted captain’s armband (which he retained till he hung his boots), he lead by example, scoring 5 goals and thereby guiding England to the semi final. However, they were knocked out by (eventual winners) Germany in the penalties (though Shearer scored in that game and also converted his spot kick, but Gareth Southgate painfully shot wide). He was awarded the “Golden Boot” for being the highest scorer of the tournament, thus proving his credentials at the world stage amongst intense competition. He scored 5 times in the qualification campaign for the 98 World Cup, ensuring England qualified this time and he could realise his dream of representing his country in the World Cup finals (it was the only time he played in World Cup finals). Here again the ghost of penalty shoot out came back to haunt England and they maintained their abysmal record in it. This time the team was Argentina, and in the second round itself. Though Shearer converted, two of his teammates, Paul Ince and David Batty did not oblige. Qualifying for Euro 2000 saw him score his first hat-trick for England against Luxemborg. In the tournament his goal ensured England defeated Germany for the first time since the 1966 World Cup final. This would be his last tournament for England, as playing for both club and country took its toll, specially with age not being on his side any more. Shearer announced his retirement from international football after Euro 2000 to focus solely on Newcastle. Despite intense speculation that he would return to lead the team in the 2002 World Cup, he refused standing by his decision. In 63 appearances for his country, Shearer scored 30 goals, placing him joint fifth in the England all-time goal scorers list.
Shearer continued playing for his club, but announced he would retire at the end of the 2004-05 season. This received lots of pleas from fans and the management of Newcastle United, including his manager Graeme Souness, and after much deliberation he decided to continue in player-coach capacity till the end of the following season (a rarity in the game). However his swansong was not to be as pretty as everyone would have wanted. Playing against Sunderland on 17 Apr 06, with just three games remaining in the season (and his retirement), he suffered a tear to the medical collateral ligament in his left knee, rendering him unfit to play for the remaining matches. A testimonial match against Celtic was organised in his honour on 11 May 06 at St James’ Park which had ex-Newcastle players like Steve Watson, Gary Speed, Rob Lee and Les Ferdinand participating. Though Shearer’s injury did not allow him to play, nevertheless he initiated the kick off and scored a penalty to win the match for Newcastle. During the 2004-05 season, he scored his 201st goal, surpassing the record of Jackie Milburn for the club. Eventually he finished with a tally of 260 Premier League goals, a record which stands till date. This brings his total tally for club and country to 422, with an average of 25 goals a season for his 17 years in professional football. These are phenomenal figures (by any standards) that any player in the world would be proud of.
Alan was awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to the Association Football in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2001. Also he was credited with Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in March the same year. There are hardly any unpleasant or controversial incidents to report in which Shearer was involved, as he generally kept a low profile and chose his football to do the talking instead. However the only incident that comes close was during the latter part of the 1997-98 season when he kicked Neil Lennon in the head at Leicester City during a Premiership match, but was not punished for the same. The FA Chief Executive Graham Kelly later claimed in his autobiography that Shearer threatened to walk out on the World Cup squad if he was punished by the FA. Shearer vehemently denied (and continues to do so) this and said that the incident itself was purely accidental.
What Alan Shearer has achieved in his career, very few can even dream of. Yet more than his football achievements, it was his sportsmanship and honesty that earned him respect and admiration from fans and rivals alike. He has been in lot of news recently, being linked to the post of the Newcastle manager. But Shearer, though not denying it at some stage, has refused to take the post presently saying he requires time with his family. While none will question his appointment as manager at any time, all respect his decision understanding the toll that professional football takes on the personal life of all those involved in it (more so the players). The fact that there is little doubt of him returning in similar capacity in the future was echoed by the present Newcastle manager (and Shearer’s ,mentor at the club) when he said in a press conference recently, “Alan Shearer is going to manage this football club one day, that’s for sure.” And when he actually does, all the Geordies and thousand others (like me) will watch with bated breath as the legend stalks the pitch again, playing his magic, albeit from the sidelines now.
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