BBC News

Shearer pays tribute to 'mentor'

21 December 2009

Former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer has paid tribute to his mentor Jack Hixon, who has died at the age of 88.

Mr Hixon, who spotted Shearer as a 13-year-old schoolboy and took him down to Southampton to start his career, died in hospital on Sunday.

Shearer remained close to Mr Hixon, from Whitley Bay, throughout and after his playing career had ended.

 

He said: "It's a very sad day. Jack was a lovely man and totally dedicated."

Mr Hixon revelled in the striker's achievements as he left Southampton for Blackburn and then made a £15m return to his hometown club, while also representing his country on 63 occasions.

Shearer added: "We were very close and he will be sadly missed."

Despite his talents as a scout, Mr Hixon's full-time job was with British Rail.

His life story became the subject of a book and documentary in 2001 by his lifelong friend Victor Jupp, a social researcher at Northumbria University.

He became a great-grandfather in May 2006.