ALAN Shearer is one of the greatest legends in Rovers' rich and proud history -- end of story.

So isn't it about time EVERYONE at Ewood acknowledged that fact by giving him the respect and appreciation he deserves.

Last night, the vast majority of Blackburn followers did exactly that as Shearer received the best reception yet since his £15 million move to Newcastle back in 1996.

But there still remains a mindless few who choose to boo and jeer his every move which I can only say I find acutely embarrassing.

And before people start flooding our post-bag with letters about betrayal etc, I'm fully aware of the circumstances surrounding his departure.

Yes Shearer came out in public insisting his future lay at Ewood only to hot-foot it up to the North East several weeks later.

But I genuinely believe he meant what he said at that time and it was only after he was made an offer which was simply too good to turn down that he had a sudden change of heart.

Before you start making judgements, though, just put the boot on the other foot for a second.

Imagine you were playing at Newcastle but you were a Blackburn fan born and bred and Rovers suddenly offered you the chance to live out your childhood dreams.

With your hand on your heart, you know you'd want to listen to what they had to say and I, for one, don't blame Shearer for doing what he did.

Like it or not, football is a selfish world and the bottom line is you've got to look after number one.

Alan Shearer was one of the most sought-after players and he could have taken his pick from any club on the planet long before his move to Tyneside.

Instead, he chose to give the best four years of his career to Rovers, culminating in the championship success of 1995, and that's what he should be remembered for, not the manner of his departure.

I spoke to Shearer myself in person last night and he genuinely still has a lot of affection for the club.

Like any human being he was hurt and disappointed by the reaction he got on his last visit to Ewood two years ago when his every touch was greeted by jeers.

Last night, however, he detected a change in mood towards him as the vast majority of fans acknowledged his place in Ewood folklore.

Yet there remains a few narrow-minded individuals whose sole intention is to poison the relationship once and for all.

Such a welcoming party will only dissuade the Alan Shearer's of the future from following in the original's footsteps.