www.Shearer9.com

Shearer's move a flight of fancy

Peter Ball on the embarrassment caused by speculation over the England striker

The Times July 10 1996

The ongoing saga of Manchester United's £12 million bid for Alan Shearer became a flight of fancy yesterday ­ but, in the best football tradition, it ended with a key player suspended. United's travel agents, Travel Management Ltd, suspended one of their employees when Shearer appeared on the list of names United are taking to Milan for their match with Internazionale on July 31.

The news of Shearer's inclusion caused some embarrassment for United, who have made no secret of their desire to sign the England striker. "I suspect this is over-optimism on the part of the travel agent, or a sense of humour," Maurice Watkins, the United solicitor, said yesterday.

Supporters responded to the hope of seeing Shearer's first game in United's colours on home ground by buying up United's allocation of 7,000 tickets for the Umbro tournament in Nottingham on August 3 and 4. "It is just Shearermania," Roger Broomhall, the tournament organiser said.

Elsewhere it was just mania. One tabloid newspaper reporter got caught in a bomb scare and trapped in Manchester airport after going to check out a report that Watkins was flying to Heathrow en route to the Bahamas yesterday afternoon to meet Shearer, who is on holiday there. Watkins was in court yesterday, and the British Airways flight for Nassau left Gatwick before midday.

The humour ­ and the excitement ­ was lost on Blackburn Rovers, who have continually insisted that they are not going to sell Shearer. "Alan Shearer is booked on a flight ­ with us on our pre-season tour of Holland, a week after the trip to Milan," Tony Parkes, the assistant manager, said. "Why these stories continue to rumble on I just don't know. But it is unsettling for us and for our supporters, with the damaging effect on things like season tickets."

Although Blackburn have said that Shearer is staying, informed sources continue to insist that he will move. That may require him to ask for a transfer, something he has so far failed to do.

Any moves, though, will now be delayed. Blackburn have given him permission to delay his return from holiday after his exertions for England, and he will not join his team-mates when they report back for pre-season training next week.

If Blackburn were annoyed and United embarrassed, it was even worse news for Travel Management. Suggestions that they have decided to become agents and move players around as well as teams can be discounted.

"We accept full responsibility," Ian Dunwoody, chairman of the company, said yesterday. "Travel Management have suspended a member of staff, and I apologise unreservedly to Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Mr Shearer."

Shearer may yet go to Italy, anyway. AC Milan have expressed interest. Yesterday Marcello Lippi, the Juventus coach, revealed his admiration for the England striker when he said that the loss of Gianluca Vialli and Fabrizio Ravanelli would not weaken the European Cup holders.

Source: The Times July 10 1996