Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer, OBE (born Newcastle upon Tyne, England, August 13 1970) is a successful and widely-admired English professional footballer, currently in the twilight of his career at hometown club Newcastle United.

Early career and England debut (1986-1992)

A strong and prolific centre forward, Shearer was rejected by Newcastle as a schoolboy at the famous Wallsend Boys Club and instead signed as an apprentice with Southampton at the age of 16. He made his debut as a substitute against Chelsea in 1988, before prompting national headlines with his full debut a month later when he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal. At the age of 17 years and eight months, he broke the record for the youngest hat-trick scorer in top-flight football which had been held for more than 30 years by Jimmy Greaves.

Related Topics:
Centre forward - Wallsend Boys Club - Apprentice - Southampton - Substitute - Chelsea - 1988 - Hat-trick - Arsenal - Jimmy Greaves

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Despite this stunning beginning, the precocious Shearer was eased gradually into the first team, and the following season only made ten appearances, without scoring. He never became truly prolific for Southampton until 1992, when he slammed home 13 goals from 41 appearances. Having become a regular for the England team at under-21 level the previous year, scoring 13 goals in just 11 matches, this potent spell by Shearer was noticed by Graham Taylor, coach of the senior team, and Shearer made his debut against France in February 1992.

Related Topics:
1992 - England - Graham Taylor - France - February

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Like his full debut at club level, his full debut in international football was memorable. Shearer scored a poacher's goal in the first half as England won 2-0, with the other goal coming from Gary Lineker, who was retiring in the summer after {{Ec|92}} in Sweden, leaving Taylor with the job of finding a worthy successor.

Related Topics:
Gary Lineker - Sweden

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