Alan Shearer says he’s so proud to be a Newcastle hair-o as Toon unveil a statue at St James’ Park to the former England striker
I WAS very proud and very honoured to be able to unveil my statue yesterday.
When I left home at 15 to go to Southampton and be a pro, never did I think one day I would have a statue of my own outside St James’ Park.
And it is great to have one when I’m only 46 as well, because normally you only get one when you have passed away.
At 16ft, it is a big old thing, and I’ve also got a bit of HAIR, which I haven’t had for a while! It will give me immense pride when I come down this road, or go to this ground and see it.
I’m also in great company with statues of the great Jackie Milburn and Sir Bobby Robson close by.
I have got to thank my old Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd and his family for making it happen.
It was brilliant to see Freddy here with Sir John Hall yesterday, as well as Kevin Keegan and Terry McDermott, because they were all the guys who brought me back here in 1996.
I’m pleased I didn’t disappoint them — and it’s great we still have such a good relationship 20 years on.
I fulfilled every dream of mine playing for this football club, MY football club.
I love this area and I love this team.
I was one of the lucky ones. I made it, many thousands didn’t.
I scored goals and I was half decent at it — but I would still have done it even if I didn’t get paid.
So to have a statue now is an incredible feeling.
And hopefully it will be enjoyed by all of the amazing fans I was fortunate enough to play football in front of.