The Hindu : Sport / Football : Shearer confirms end of career

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 23, 2006

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Sport - Football

Shearer confirms end of career

NEWCASTLE: Veteran Newcastle captain Alan Shearer confirmed on Saturday that his career has been finished by a knee injury.

The 35-year-old tore his knee ligaments at Sunderland on Monday and has been ruled out for the rest of the season, prompting his planned retirement.

The former England striker had planned to retire at the end of this season.

``That's it. It's all over,'' Shearer told the Sun. ``There's a tear in the medial ligament which, although it does not require an operation, means I will be in a knee brace for a few weeks. Deep down I knew when I limped out of the Stadium of Light that it was probably the end and I think the fans knew it as well. They know I don't stay down unless I'm badly hurt. It's disappointing, but I've got no regrets. I've had a great career,'' he said.

Shearer had scored his 206th Newcastle goal from the penalty spot shortly before limping off in that win at Sunderland.

In all, he scored 379 goals in 733 club appearances in an 18-year career, which started at Southampton and also took in a high-profile spell at Blackburn. He also netted 30 times in 63 appearances for England.

Legendary status

His legendary status at Newcastle was confirmed in February when he overtook Jackie Milburn to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer.

Shearer joined Newcastle from Blackburn for a then record 15 million Pounds in 1996, but his only major honour came when he won the Premiership with Rovers in 1995.

Shearer added: ``my dream as a kid was to play for Newcastle United and to score goals at St. James' Park. It doesn't matter that I didn't win a trophy because I did it my way and I lived the dream. Unless you come from the area you wouldn't understand that mentality. Playing for the club is everything. I broke Jackie's record and no one can take that away from me. I've never had any regrets.'' — AFP

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