Gemmill 34166 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 ...despite the unnecessary token dig at Bowyer, which as usual he couldn't resist. 'Angel of the North' was black and white amid so much greyBy Henry Winter The DJ at St James' Park must find another stadium-shaking, pulse-racing anthem. Local Hero must return to its case as Alan Shearer sheds himself of his second skin, that black-and-white No 9 shirt he wore with such distinction. As the Toon contemplate life after Shearer, the only lyrics that fully capture the Gallowgate's emotions are "God only knows what I'd be without you." Just as critics sniped that Shearer had stayed on a season too long, he responded to the brickbats and the falling curtain with a fusillade of goals: clinical penalties, cool one-on-one finishes and regrets, if but a few, about the ones that got away. Monday's ligament trouble at Sunderland has not simply precipitated Shearer's retirement date by three games, but deprived Newcastle United of the services of their most in-form forward. How typical of the man: he went out striking fear in a rivals' goalkeeper, Kelvin Davis, who had just thwarted England's present No 9, Wayne Rooney, in his previous outing against Manchester United. The verdict on Shearer's career is simple and uplifting: he remained a goal threat until the end. At the final reckoning, the stats scream Shearer's class: 409 goals, including 30 for England, spread over 18 years, yet it is the words, not the impressive numbers, that truly define this special individual. Words like loyalty. In the Bosman world of constant movement, where devotion can be a dirty word, Shearer fought against the take-the-money creed. His career began at Southampton, but the Geordie nation's No 1 ambassador worked his way home, via title-winning Blackburn Rovers, where he was loved like a son by Kenny Dalglish and the late, much-missed Jack Walker. Manchester United fans derided Shearer for snubbing them twice, decisions he knew would cost him a cabinet full of medals, but the call of the Gallowgate meant more. Much more. You cannot put a price on being a local hero. Newcastle United are his club, his passion. When the wonderful Angel of the North was erected overlooking the A1, enterprising Newcastle fans quickly clad it with a massive Toon shirt bearing Shearer's name. Because Shearer is the greatest advertisement for Newcastle: hard-working, down to earth and with a real twinkle in his eye. So respect the phenomenal goal return, but warm to the words that describe Shearer. Words like commitment. In the age of millionaires in the comfort zone, Shearer constantly put his body on the line. Twice, he fought back from knee injuries that would have defeated lesser mortals. Amid all the understandable wailing from Wallsend to Washington over Monday's injury, it was fitting that what appears Shearer's final act in a Newcastle strip should be an attempted tackle on a Sunderland player despite being on one leg. Competing to the last. This is a warrior who never surrendered for Southampton, Blackburn or Newcastle, and never, ever for his country. In the nervous minutes before kick-off, England players would glance round the dressing-room, see Shearer with his eyes ablaze with determination, and belief would fill them. Other words. Like integrity. In a profession tarnished by unpleasant creatures like Lee Bowyer, Shearer represents a breed for whom principles count. Some of his distracted peers become stars of CCTV. Not Shearer, now a BBC favourite. Value-giving and clean-living, Shearer is a model person as well as a model pro. He has his golf, his family, his friends and the respect of everyone. People say Shearer should focus on the Beeb, gradually articulating his interesting thoughts on the game as his distance from the dressing-room grows. Yet the former England captain has still so much to offer football. He could make a good manager, although the modest dedication levels of certain younger pros would frustrate a competitor who gave his all in every game, in every training session. Even as the sands of time ran out on his career, Shearer gave his beloved Newcastle continued bragging rights over Sunderland. For that alone, he will always be the local hero. God only knows when Newcastle will see Shearer's like again. There'll be lots of slop like this over the next week or so, but I like the cut of Winter's jib when he's not slating Bowyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radgina 1 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 ...despite the unnecessary token dig at Bowyer, which as usual he couldn't resist. 'Angel of the North' was black and white amid so much greyBy Henry Winter The DJ at St James' Park must find another stadium-shaking, pulse-racing anthem. Local Hero must return to its case as Alan Shearer sheds himself of his second skin, that black-and-white No 9 shirt he wore with such distinction. As the Toon contemplate life after Shearer, the only lyrics that fully capture the Gallowgate's emotions are "God only knows what I'd be without you." Just as critics sniped that Shearer had stayed on a season too long, he responded to the brickbats and the falling curtain with a fusillade of goals: clinical penalties, cool one-on-one finishes and regrets, if but a few, about the ones that got away. Monday's ligament trouble at Sunderland has not simply precipitated Shearer's retirement date by three games, but deprived Newcastle United of the services of their most in-form forward. How typical of the man: he went out striking fear in a rivals' goalkeeper, Kelvin Davis, who had just thwarted England's present No 9, Wayne Rooney, in his previous outing against Manchester United. The verdict on Shearer's career is simple and uplifting: he remained a goal threat until the end. At the final reckoning, the stats scream Shearer's class: 409 goals, including 30 for England, spread over 18 years, yet it is the words, not the impressive numbers, that truly define this special individual. Words like loyalty. In the Bosman world of constant movement, where devotion can be a dirty word, Shearer fought against the take-the-money creed. His career began at Southampton, but the Geordie nation's No 1 ambassador worked his way home, via title-winning Blackburn Rovers, where he was loved like a son by Kenny Dalglish and the late, much-missed Jack Walker. Manchester United fans derided Shearer for snubbing them twice, decisions he knew would cost him a cabinet full of medals, but the call of the Gallowgate meant more. Much more. You cannot put a price on being a local hero. Newcastle United are his club, his passion. When the wonderful Angel of the North was erected overlooking the A1, enterprising Newcastle fans quickly clad it with a massive Toon shirt bearing Shearer's name. Because Shearer is the greatest advertisement for Newcastle: hard-working, down to earth and with a real twinkle in his eye. So respect the phenomenal goal return, but warm to the words that describe Shearer. Words like commitment. In the age of millionaires in the comfort zone, Shearer constantly put his body on the line. Twice, he fought back from knee injuries that would have defeated lesser mortals. Amid all the understandable wailing from Wallsend to Washington over Monday's injury, it was fitting that what appears Shearer's final act in a Newcastle strip should be an attempted tackle on a Sunderland player despite being on one leg. Competing to the last. This is a warrior who never surrendered for Southampton, Blackburn or Newcastle, and never, ever for his country. In the nervous minutes before kick-off, England players would glance round the dressing-room, see Shearer with his eyes ablaze with determination, and belief would fill them. Other words. Like integrity. In a profession tarnished by unpleasant creatures like Lee Bowyer, Shearer represents a breed for whom principles count. Some of his distracted peers become stars of CCTV. Not Shearer, now a BBC favourite. Value-giving and clean-living, Shearer is a model person as well as a model pro. He has his golf, his family, his friends and the respect of everyone. People say Shearer should focus on the Beeb, gradually articulating his interesting thoughts on the game as his distance from the dressing-room grows. Yet the former England captain has still so much to offer football. He could make a good manager, although the modest dedication levels of certain younger pros would frustrate a competitor who gave his all in every game, in every training session. Even as the sands of time ran out on his career, Shearer gave his beloved Newcastle continued bragging rights over Sunderland. For that alone, he will always be the local hero. God only knows when Newcastle will see Shearer's like again. There'll be lots of slop like this over the next week or so, but I like the cut of Winter's jib when he's not slating Bowyer. 123958[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Winter is one of the very few journo's worth his money, a good piece dispite his snipe at Bowyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally 0 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Good piece that like. The Mirror today went on like he'd bloody died though, it was more of an obiturary than anything else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wor Al 0 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 In a profession tarnished by unpleasant creatures like Lee Bowyer he really dosen't like him, does he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asprilla 96 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Licky tbh... (Kidding, it's very nice tribute. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Good article despite (as has been said) his customary attack on Bowyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isegrim 8868 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Good article - including the justified snipe at Bowyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Good article i like Henry Winter, remember when me dad said him and me ma saw him somewhere before and me mam likes what he has to say and wanted his autograph but didn't have a pen or paper, so just after he'd gone me dad said to me mother well being a journalist you'd think he'd have had one now wouldn't ya , she was raging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 17614 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Good article - including the justified snipe at Bowyer. 124161[/snapback] Agreed. Have people forgotten how mercenary Bowyer has been, only refusing to move back to London because they can't match his pay check? I think the contrasting comparison is entirely justified, especially since ratboy has done very little for us apart from cause fights on the pitch. Nice to hear that he was driving at 130 mph and got a slap on the wrist for it as well, the little shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Good article - including the justified snipe at Bowyer. 124161[/snapback] Agreed. Have people forgotten how mercenary Bowyer has been, only refusing to move back to London because they can't match his pay check? I think the contrasting comparison is entirely justified, especially since ratboy has done very little for us apart from cause fights on the pitch. Nice to hear that he was driving at 130 mph and got a slap on the wrist for it as well, the little shit. 124258[/snapback] They couldn't prove he was driving at that speed, he was done for driving at 99 mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 34166 Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 I'm not sure how mercenary it is to refuse to change employers because you'll have to take a paycut tbh. I wouldn't do it, presumably Renton would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 17614 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Good article - including the justified snipe at Bowyer. 124161[/snapback] Agreed. Have people forgotten how mercenary Bowyer has been, only refusing to move back to London because they can't match his pay check? I think the contrasting comparison is entirely justified, especially since ratboy has done very little for us apart from cause fights on the pitch. Nice to hear that he was driving at 130 mph and got a slap on the wrist for it as well, the little shit. 124258[/snapback] They couldn't prove he was driving at that speed, he was done for driving at 99 mph. 124262[/snapback] I know, he got a fancy lawyer to the stars to defend him. You can tell obviously I don't like or rate Bowyer, but even the staunchest defender of him would have to admit he has contributed almost bugger all since he joined us. Having said that, it's probably right not to sully the article by even mentioning him. And unfortunately, he is still needed here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Quite, that wasn't the point I was making though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 17614 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 I'm not sure how mercenary it is to refuse to change employers because you'll have to take a paycut tbh. I wouldn't do it, presumably Renton would. 124264[/snapback] I'm considering it right now as it happens, to improve my prospects lin the long term. I take your point but the contrast with Shearer is still valid imo, but yes, probably unnecessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isegrim 8868 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 I'm not sure how mercenary it is to refuse to change employers because you'll have to take a paycut tbh. I wouldn't do it, presumably Renton would. 124264[/snapback] Well, he could be excused if he was offering value for money and not just collecting his wages for playing shite most of the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 34166 Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 I'm not sure how mercenary it is to refuse to change employers because you'll have to take a paycut tbh. I wouldn't do it, presumably Renton would. 124264[/snapback] Well, he could be excused if he was offering value for money and not just collecting his wages for playing shite most of the time... 124269[/snapback] Well I'm pretty sure I don't offer value for money or perform anything other than shite, but I'm quite happy picking up my wages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 17614 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 I'm not sure how mercenary it is to refuse to change employers because you'll have to take a paycut tbh. I wouldn't do it, presumably Renton would. 124264[/snapback] Well, he could be excused if he was offering value for money and not just collecting his wages for playing shite most of the time... 124269[/snapback] Well I'm pretty sure I don't offer value for money or perform anything other than shite, but I'm quite happy picking up my wages. 124271[/snapback] Now that sir is an excellent point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isegrim 8868 Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 I'm not sure how mercenary it is to refuse to change employers because you'll have to take a paycut tbh. I wouldn't do it, presumably Renton would. 124264[/snapback] Well, he could be excused if he was offering value for money and not just collecting his wages for playing shite most of the time... 124269[/snapback] Well I'm pretty sure I don't offer value for money or perform anything other than shite, but I'm quite happy picking up my wages. 124271[/snapback] Yes, you are as loveable as Lee Bowyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 After his first bad injury here Shearer's always been on more money here than he would have got elsewhere tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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