Former footballer Alan Shearer has penned a heartfelt tribute to his late father, who passed away at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer. Shearer has confessed to feeling lost and untethered without his father, who had a profound impact on his life and career.
In an emotional column, Shearer reflects on the sacrifices his father made for him, from ferrying him to and from Wallsend Boys Club multiple times a week to hone his skills, to working tirelessly to provide for the family. He also recalls his father’s stubbornness, which was evident even in his final days, as he insisted on being brought out of his bed and showing his family how to use the TV remote.
Shearer’s father, a humble sheet metal worker from Cramlington, Northumberland, was not a great footballer himself, but he always found energy to play football in the street with his son. He was married for 59 years and had a strong sense of principle, which led him to refuse to attend games Shearer managed out of protest against Mike Ashley’s ownership.
The legendary Newcastle striker describes how his parents became a “taxi service” for him, ferrying him to and from training sessions and matches. Even when he could afford to look after them, they insisted on working, with his dad leaving the house at 7am every day. However, he was eventually able to buy his parents a house in his mid-20s.
Shearer’s father was so proud of his son’s achievements, but he rarely expressed his emotions. However, after Shearer broke Newcastle’s scoring record in 2006, he broke his habit of a lifetime and said, “Well done, son, I’m proud of you.”
As Shearer prepares to return to TV screens with Match of the Day, he knows it will be tough, especially since the theme tune played at his father’s cremation. He hopes that viewers will think of his father and their own families when the famous tune starts up.
Alan Shearer has penned an emotional tribute to his father, who died after a battle with cancer
He knows that it will be ‘very tough’ going on Match of the Day after the theme tune played at his father’s cremation
Shearer pays tribute to the sacrifices his father made to help him become a footballer
‘Without my dad throwing a ball at my pudgy little legs, I would never have been Newcastle’s No 9, wheeling away from the Gallowgate End with my right arm in the air’
His father was so principled that he refused to attend games Shearer managed out of protest against Mike Ashley’s ownership