An Evening with Alan Shearer

A Grand evening with Alan Shearer
By Harry Spall & Mark Harper

We had a marvelous opportunity last Saturday, June 30, to spend an evening with Alan Shearer at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto. Photos are at the bottom of this page. Introduction The event was sponsored by UMBRO and benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over 250 people attended the dinner, including several lads and lasses from the Halifax, Ottawa and Toronto Toon Armies. The event was superbly organized (Thanks Gerald, Chrystle and Colin!). The proceedings got off to a rousing start with a video of Alan’s career in which his classic goals featured prominently. It certainly lifted our spirits to a high level right away. Alan was introduced by Gerry Dobson (of Rogers Sportsnet) who took him through his footballing life from a teenager at Southampton, his Championship season at Blackburn, and finally to St James’ Park. The presentation was interspersed with numerous video clips. The interview questions weren’t always soft. As we’ve come to expect from the man, Alan was very candid about some of the well-publicized events in his career. This was particularly so when he answered questions later in the evening after dinner. Why UMBRO? The best expression of Shearer‘s philosophy toward life and his contribution to the game as a role model came when he explained why he had always supported UMBRO as a sponsor. When he began at Southampton in 1985 (for £25 a week on a Youth Training Scheme!) he had contacted the big three manufacturers, Adidas, Nike, and UMBRO, to ask if they would sponsor some kit and boots. Only UMBRO replied positively – consequently he has supported them throughout his playing days, even though Adidas offered a contract three times higher. Shearer at Southampton He put to rest the notion that he started life at Southampton as a goalkeeper. During training, everyone was asked to take a turn in the net and he put it off as long as possible before finally having to go in there. In his first league game for Southampton he scored a hatrick against Arsenal, which was “very hard” on him because he knew everyone would then expect him to repeat it often, and that was impossible. Shearer at Blackburn His four years at Blackburn, and winning the Premier League title, were obviously major achievements, especially since now people talk about the Big Four teams. He commented that Dalglish did a great job. Shearer shared an interesting story on his Blackburn departure. He was advised by the Blackburn chairman (Jack Walker) that whenever he wanted to leave, all he had to do was ask. When he did ask for a transfer, he was told “yes – you can go, but it will cost £15M in straight cash”. This was a world record fee at the time. When Newcastle agreed to the deal, they could only come up with £7m in cash, so Jack Walker charged Newcastle a further £600k in interest on the remaining balance. The move to Newcastle happened in the summer of 1996 and again there was instant pressure to perform because of the £15.6 million price tag and he was expected to work wonders. Shearer also mentioned that there were three clubs to choose from at the time – Man Utd, Liverpool, and Newcastle. He decided on Newcastle because Keegan had shown such innovative ideas for the game. Shearer on Bellamy We also heard about some of the personal differences that he’s had over the years. On the Bellamy affair. “It’s very simple. He dislikes me and I despise him”. Shearer on Keane And on Roy Keane’s dismissal. “Great player – but he lost his cool. I simply asked him what his golf handicap was and he threw the ball at me! And he was still fighting at the top of the tunnel. No – it was a bit more than that. But I admire what he has done, and I wish him luck at Sunderland”. Shearer on Gillespie And then there was the Keith Gillespie affair in Dublin. “Keith had had a few too many and started knocking glasses off the bar”, and thumped Alan on his back. Gillespie refused to apologize so Alan took him outside and decked him. Steve Howey took Keith to the hospital and although they had agreed that it was supposed to be that he’d “fallen down”, Howey decided to change that to “knocked down by a car.” Shearer on Justin Whittle Then there was the infamous incident in Shearer’s last season during the Grimsby cup-tie. He got an elbow in the face from their 6’ 6” centre half. During halftime Alan received six stitches on the outside of his mouth and three on the inside – but with no anesthetic as the doctor didn’t have enough time. After the game he waited in the tunnel for the fellow, but when he saw his height he decided not to bother. (See Mark’s photo with Alan – Mark is 6’4”). Shearer on Bowyer & Dyer In 1996 he came third in the voting for FIFA player-of-the-year. He told us that he refused to go to the party afterwards because “parties are for winners – not for those who come third.” The Dyer/Bowyer punch-up was a fiasco. “Great team spirit at Newcastle, eh?!”. They were 3-0 down to Aston Villa and frustration had obviously set in. “The sad thing was that both of them were good friends”. Shearer on Milburn Alan never met Jackie Milburn. But when he broke Jackie’s record his widow was fantastic and told him that Jackie would have been proud that a fellow Geordie had done it. There was pressure here too because Alan hadn’t scored for several weeks and people were wondering if he’d run dry. After that he could enjoy the rest of the season. It was fitting that his last goal should be against Sunderland, and a penalty at that. He remembered that he had missed one against them a few years back. In fact he used to do quite a bit of research on taking penalties. He looked at who would be in goal, whether he’d taken one against him previously, and which side of the goal he’d gone for. “The main thing about penalties was never to change your mind at the last minute”. Stick with your original plan. Alan was always known as a jokester (you can see one of those in the movie “Goal”). But the lads used to get their own back. On one occasion his Jaguar roadster was parked at St James’ Park. When he returned after training, he found that it had been filled to overflowing with grass clippings. Shearer on Tony Adams Alan said that the best defender he’d played against was Tony Adams “without a doubt”. In games against Arsenal they both gave it their all – afterwards they would shake hands and could still be friends. Shearer on Beckham Alan also said that his favorite stadium was Anfield, because the Liverpool fans are almost as passionate as Geordie fans. One David Beckham move to LA Galaxy – Alan said that he “was somewhat surprised that Beckham went to Los Angeles”. Maybe he made his decision at a time when he thought his days with the England team were over. Shearer's best goal? Best goal? “No doubt about it – the volley against Everton. Sometimes you hit them sweetly, and as soon as I hit it I knew it was in.” [cue rounds of applause and laughter from the audience] During his career, Alan had had options to go to Italy and Spain, but he never really considered it. He thinks that the Premiership is the best league in the world. Shearer on Owen Alan also said that he “believes Michael Owen will stay at Newcastle”. No one will be prepared to pay money for him until he has been back in the game for at least six months. Alan was mystified as to why England haven’t done better at World Cups and European Championships in the last 10-15 years. They’ve always had several top class players. Shearer went on to suggest that because of the influx of TV money nowadays, the days are long gone when players would stay at one club for a long period of time. Alan has always had to be aware of what he says to the media as they’re always looking for a sensational quote that will embarrass someone. He had to warn his daughters when they taped him singing a U-2 song in his car while they were driving down Ponteland High Street. They had put it up on YouTube and it was now all over the world. (He did admit that he’s a fan of Lionel Ritchie). Shearer on his future He said that he had all the badges necessary to become a manager “but it’s not the opportunity for me at the moment.” It will probably be a few years before he would go back to that kind of life. He’s “enjoying commentating and being around his family” and it’s “much easier than football management.” He was looking forward to big things at St James’ Park. There is a new owner. And Sam Allardyce is a very different kind of manager. Throughout the evening, Alan was in a very affable, jovial, and relaxed mood. Part of the reason for the visit was to coach in two football clinics in Toronto. Harry put aside his English stiff upper-lip and had no qualms about interrupting Alan’s dessert to ask for some shirts and photos to be signed. This he did – very carefully without the usual hurried swoosh when you ask someone for an autograph. He was impressed with the Toon Army Canada logo. UMBRO must have realized that this was an event to remember because they are thinking of having it again. Thanks Alan, for some wonderful memories for some grateful fans. Harry and Mark ToonArmyUSA.com

The main hall of the Royal York, Toronto	Mark has a Guiness beforehand to steady his nerves!	Starting the interviewing with the Rogers Network presenter

Recounting his football career	Shearer watching Shearer	Canada's most wanted

Harry - "where's Alan?"	A lucky fan get's Big Al's autograph
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