A statue dedicated in honour of Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was unveiled outside St James' Park yesterday. The bronze artwork which stands 2.89m tall is named 'Local Hero', showing Alan Shearer posing in his iconic goal celebration.
The £250,000 cost of the statue was borne by former club chairman Freddy Shepherd and his family.
Joined by former manager Kevin Keegan and former coach Terry McDermott, Alan Shearer unveiled the statue. Shearer who previously played for Blackburn Rovers and Southampton, scored 148 goals in 303 games for Newcastle, despite winning no silverware with the Magpies.
The former England captain joined Newcastle United in 1996 for a then-record-breaking £15m transfer fee and had words of praise for the fans and media in attendance, saying: 'I'm very proud and very honoured to be standing here with a statue. I'm in great company with Jackie Milburn and Sir Bobby [Robson] only 20 yards away.
'Never ever did I think when I left home at 15 to go to Southampton to be a professional footballer that one day I would have a statue. I am a very, very lucky guy.
'I scored goals, I was half-decent at it - I would have done it if I didn't get paid. There have been many coaches and players and staff at all the football clubs I have been at that I have to thank, so it's as much for those guys as it is for me because I wouldn't be stood here today without those guys.'
He returned to St James' as a coach for the final eight games of the 2008-09 season, but was unsuccessful in helping Newcastle avoid relegation.
He held talks with owner Mike Ashley about taking over on a permanent basis, but the role went to Chris Hughton, who was handed the task of dragging the Magpies back into the Premier League, which he did so in the very first season.
Asked if he had any regrets, Shearer replied: 'No, I have no regrets. I am very happy in what I do. It's great seeing them doing well at the top of the Championship and hopefully they can get back into the Premier League ASAP.'
Also read: Why Newcastle should jump right back into the Premier League
Current Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez, who was unable to attend the ceremony as the Magpies had a training session, said: "Alan was an incredible player, the perfect number nine, and he had a fantastic career representing this great club.
"He is also a great ambassador for Newcastle with the charity work he does to support the people of the city.
"The statue of him at St James' Park is a perfect tribute to a true club legend and I send Alan my very best wishes for a memorable day."
Rafa Benitez has had a good start with the Magpies so far in the Championship and are placed second on the table below Huddersfield. With a couple of important signings in the transfer window, the Spaniard will look to get the Magpies to the top flight division once again.
