First Timers: Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer (Newcastle United, 1996)

Signed from Blackburn Rovers for world-record £15million... made his debut in 4-0 Charity Shield defeat against Man Utd... 145 goals later he is still leading the line for his hometown club...

Manchester United hammered out a significant message to Shearer and Newcastle after missing out on his signature in the summer of 1996. Sir Alex Ferguson usually gets who he wants but not on this occasion.

Shearer opted to join his beloved Newcastle shortly after becoming the leading goalscorer at Euro 96 and the decision was greeted with boos and jeers from the red end of Wembley as he walked out for his debut.

It proved to be a tough lesson for Shearer whose new club were outplayed by an Eric Cantona-inspired Manchester United, who were the Double holders. The Frenchman slotted in the opening goal and was joined on the scoresheet by Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Roy Keane.

Despite topping the Premiership scoring charts with 25 goals in his first season on Tyneside, Shearer must have wondered if he had chosen the right club as successive managers Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit all left without a trophy.

But Sir Bobby Robson has brought back the smiles to the north-east and Shearer will start this season believing he can repeat his league championship triumph with Blackburn Rovers in 1995.

Trophies/awards at Newcastle United

PFA Player of the Year 1997
Premiership Golden Boot 1996/97

Alan Shearer 

Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Newcastle, England 
Date of Birth: 13 October 1970 
Height: 6' 0'' 
Weight: 12 06
Club: Newcastle United 
Position: Striker