By The Evening Chronicle

January 14 1999

Exclusive: In the first part of a revealing series Alan Shearer blasts back at the critics who say he is past his best.

Alan Shearer would like it to be known that, contrary to the opinion of some, he hasn’t ordered a diamond-encrusted Zimmer frame to help him limp towards his sunset.

The most feared striker on this planet, they once said, but now those of a cynical nature talk in the past tense rather than the present.

Wear and tear, an occupational hazard for those who exist in the penalty area minefield, has supposedly taken a dreadful toll, especially his last crippling injury sustained at Goodison on the eve of last season.

Such suggestions bring a total look of disdain to the face of a determined young man still only 28 years of age and with much to achieve.

“I’ve heard all the rumours flying around,” admitted Shearer. “I’m supposed to be past my best, to have lost a yard in pace, and so forth and so on. Well, everyone said the same when I did my cruciate ligaments in my first season at Blackburn Rovers and was out for nine months.

“Eight years ago that was an extremely serious injury but since then I’ve been top scorer in the European Championships, sold to Newcastle for a then world record £15 million, and been made captain of England which shows that injury really affected me.

Collapsed

“No, I haven’t lost a yard since my latest injury. I feel as fit, strong and confident as I ever have. There’s still a lot of years left in me yet.”

Nevertheless were there self doubts about playing again after he collapsed to the Goodison turf in what was a freak accident?

“You have queries not doubts,” Alan told me. “I was very strong over my injury. I always felt I’d come back. It was only a matter of when.

“Of course when I was lying in hospital with no anaesthetic and the pain was searing I thought ‘Why me?’ I could have understood if someone had done me when I was trying to score but to be by myself in the middle of the park. It was hard to take.

“However you have to find the bright side. I could have been a non-league player unable to get the expert advice and treatment I received.

“I’ve always been a quick healer, apart from my recent hamstring injury. I’d never had one before and didn’t know how long it would take.

“But I’d previously undergone three groin operations as well as that cruciate ligament repair and come back in good time.”

Shearer well remembers the date when he went under the knife for his first major operation. “I did my knee on Boxing Day but didn’t have the operation until February 15,” he revealed with a smile. “I remember the date so well because the previous evening was St Valentines Day and there I was sitting having dinner with our physio in a Cambridge hotel.

Punishment

“All these loving couples were coming in for romantic candlelit meals with a rose on the table and the girls were giving me queer looks because I was sat there with a fella!”

A mind as sturdy as the physique which withstands a defender’s punishment schedule is one of the main reasons Shearer is a survivor.

“My inner strength tells me when people have a go that one day I’ll prove them wrong,” explained United’s top scorer. “I have a real mental toughness.

“Of course I can be hurt when it’s personal but in my position you have to accept criticism.”

Exclusive: England skipper reveals the secret of his success in part two of our sensational series

Alan Shearer has the look of Geordie actor Robson Green and could easily take his place in the highly-acclaimed TV series Grafters.

Because Shearer was brought up in the work ethic that you graft for your dough - his dad, Alan Snr, is still a sheet metal worker in Cramlington despite the fact his son is a millionaire footballer who would gladly help bring about immediate retirement.

“I was brought up to believe you must work hard - it’s all I know,” Shearer said. “My dad still grafts from 7am until 5pm every day. Many’s the time I’ve asked him to quit and take life easy but he’ll have none of it. It’s his way of life, the way it is with so many Geordies.

“I believe that if you give sweat and blood and do your best no one can have a go. You can sleep easy in your bed.

Marvelled

“It’s the way I play my football and it’s the way Geordie fans who work hard for every penny they get want to see you play.”

Shearer has witnessed two generations of the Toon Army from when he stood on the terraces himself in the early 80s as a boy to their sons who now support him in their thousands.

“What they like up here are footballers who fight and scrap every one of the 90 minutes because that’s what they do every week,” he said. “When I was in the crowd we marvelled at Kevin Keegan, who worked hard as well as being an outstanding player, but also at the likes of Kenny Wharton because of his work rate.

“The supporters will forgive a lot as long as you have a go - but if you’re a fancy dan who can play but won’t graft for the team they don’t like it.

“Warren Barton is a prime example. He’s now getting his rewards after a lean time because he’s a 100 per center.”

Shearer readily accepts that his style of play has more to do with aggression and determination than intricate ball skills. It’s more tweed than silk.

“I’m not the most gifted of players,” admitted Alan. “My game is not about tricks. I won’t run 40 yards with the ball and glide past three defenders.

“I need players to create chances for me - then I’ll put them away, which I guess is an art in itself. I need someone willing to get hurt for me. Without help I can’t score as regularly as I’d like.

“I score goals because I have a belief that I’ll get onto the end of things and because I’m not afraid to miss. Coaches try to coach these things into you but it’s an instinct.

“There are going to be times when I miss sitters but they only make me more determined to go back in there. A striker mustn’t be worried about 30,000 or 40,000 people having a pop at him.

Nudge

“In the FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace I had a header cleared off the line and then put another into the keeper’s hands when I should have done better.

“However, when a third chance came I put it away and it turned out to be the winner.”

Shearer has a physical presence which is more than enough to occupy the minds of those given the responsibility of restricting his activities.

“I give as good as I get,” he admitted. “If a centre-half is going to kick you he may as well know you’ll have a go back. It’s the same in the air - I’ll have a go against the biggest defenders.

“A lot of it is technique - knowing when to give a little nudge and things like that.”

Amazingly Alan has only been suspended once despite his willingness to meet force with force.

“When bookings were totted up on a points system I got a one-match ban at Southampton,” he told me.

“These days, however, it’s virtually impossible not to get suspended for five cautions the way yellow cards are flying about.”