www.Shearer9.com Shearer returns home to a hero's welcome By Paul Stokes About 20,000 Newcastle United fans gave Alan Shearer a rapturous welcome yesterday when he returned as the world's costliest footballer to the club he supported as a boy. The £15 million England striker made light of the handsome earnings he is expected to collect. "It certainly won't change me," he said to the cheers of fans drenched by summer showers at St James' Park. "It's never been a problem to me. I'm still a sheet-metalworker's son from Newcastle. I hope I can spend the rest of my career here." Shearer received a standing ovation from the club's manager, Kevin Keegan, directors and officials as he stepped on to a dais behind the goalposts at the Sir John Hall stand, named after the club's chairman. Keegan said it was "a great privilege" to introduce his new signing. "It's lovely to see a Geordie like Alan coming home," he said. Neither Shearer's father, Alan, nor his mother, Anne, both Newcastle fans, were present. Shearer senior was believed to be at work Some reports have suggested that Shearer, who will be 26 next week, will earn £6 for every second he spends in his new club's strip. But he said: "Money has nothing to do with it. I said I wanted to join Newcastle before money was discussed. If money comes my way, that's fine." The only hint of ostentation was a gold watch on his left wrist. He wore a polo shirt with tracksuit bottoms. After the ceremony, fans left to music from the film Local Hero, composed by Mark Knopfler, a fellow Geordie. Neither Shearer's father, Alan, nor his mother, Anne, both Newcastle fans, were present. Shearer senior was believed to be at work. The player explained that he wanted to join his hometown club while he was young enough to have the best of his career before him. Keegan and Sir John believe the investment will be repaid by domestic and European success. As fans gathered in the car park outside the ground, Shearer said: "I wouldn't have got a reception like this anywhere else in the world." Source: The Daily Telegraph Wednesday August 7 1996 |