Tue 18 Apr 06
Shearer’s last stand
Just a few minutes after scoring his 206th goal for Newcastle (against Sunderland, fittingly enough), Alan Shearer suffered a knee injury that may end his extraordinary career three games early:
One of the most famous celebrations in world football may have been seen for the last time yesterday after Alan Shearer scored the 409th goal of his career but then limped off with a suspected knee ligament injury.
The Newcastle United captain scored a penalty to give his side a 2-1 lead at the Stadium of Light. But, nine minutes later, he collided with Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca and had to leave the pitch.
Newcastle went on to win 4-1 but that was almost forgotten amid the fears that Shearer may now be denied the chance to bring down the curtain on his glorious career against Chelsea at his beloved St James’ Park on May 7.
That match is only 20 days away, giving the 35-year-old former England international little time in which to recover.
Damian P.
One of the all-time greats. Yet he only won the one league title, proof that medals don’t define a WINNER in the least.
Shearer could have taken the easy route, and signed with Man Utd and scooped up a bucketful of league titles, FA Cups, and a Champions League medal.
Instead, as a loyal Geordie, he went to play for his hometown club on Tyneside. Sure, he went for a record fee, and he was paid well while there, but still pleasing to see in the era of multimillionairre players, a player opting for a lesser (but more deeply loved) club with no silverware in the past 40-odd years (at the time) than the big world-renowned club with an overflowing trophy case.