Thank you Alan Shearer

So it was confirmed today - the inevitable after the injury he sustained in the game against arch rivals, Sunderland - Alan Shearer announced his official retirement from football.

Without a doubt, he's been the top striker of his generation, and to have been consistently performing well for 17 straight years, that's almost unheard of. He retires holding the record for the most number of goals scored in the Premiership, as well as the record number of goals scored for his beloved hometown, Newcastle United. He broke into the game with a wham, as a 18 year old debutant for Southampton, came in as a substitute and scored a hat trick in his first game - against Arsenal of all teams. He moved to Blackburn for then a British record fee, and his firepower netted Blackburn the Premiership title. He then moved to Newcastle for then a world record fee, and realized his dream of playing for Newcastle for the next 10 years.

Seriously, how much more can you ask for, for a hometown boy to return? He amassed 379 goals in 733 games in his career, 260 goals in 441 Premiership games, and the record 206 goals for Newcastle in 404 appearences. He also scored 30 goals in 63 games for England. He's probably the only person who was equally impressive in normal shots, headers, free kicks and penalty kicks. He was also the captain for Newcastle and England for the longest time. Showing that not only did he have skills, but also leadership.

I can't even describe how much respect I have for this man - he's the reason why I started supporting Newcastle since 1998, and it's going to feel different from now on when he's not going to be around. I really hope he comes back as the manager one day, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen for some time as he takes a break. He had the chance to move to Manchester United, to win a lot of titles and cups, but loyalty and dream took him to Newcastle, it's just a great pity he never succeeded in winning anything for Newcastle. Nevertheless he brought them to heights we would otherwise not have enjoyed. We came really close on couple of occasions though.

What is going to happen to Newcastle from now on? The future's cloudy - will Roeder get his licence to become a full time manager next season? Who will become the new captain? Who will replace Shearer as the main goalscorer?

Let football decide. It is unpredictable and that's the way many would like it to be.



I think it's just a fitting finale to his career that he had to end it against Newcastle's most hated rival Sunderland. Not only that, he went out of the game after scoring the goal that gave us the lead to a game we eventually won. I don't think you can end a story better than that.

Thank you Alan Shearer, for a great 10 years of service and memories which probably cannot be eclipsed.