ALAN Shearer was right to leave the Rovers when he did, although his manner of leaving left a lot to be desired.

He had established himself as a goalscorer at international level at the same time that the Rovers were causing some people to question the extent of their ambition.

The championship was won by default, the squad was patently in need of strengthening, particularly up front, in the run-in to the title win.

Kenny Dalglish stood down during the close season for reasons never established. Uncle Jack had promised success in Europe, what an embarrassment that turned out to be.

Ray Harford had earlier taken over with the comment "If it ain't broken, don't mend it," when any manager worth his salt knows that the time to build is when you're on top and not on the decline.

It would be obvious to Shearer, and others for that matter, that Rovers' bandwagon was grinding to a halt and would in all probability never pick up again.

Shearer had played an immense part in the title win, any of the first 10 clubs could have won it with him up front. He was the man who made the difference between success and failure.

To talk of loyalty as Shearer did when leaving was simply absurd, but we should at least recognise the debt we owe him for the huge contribution he made during his time at Ewood. He is one of the all-time "greats."

TOM FOX, Rectory Close, Darwen.

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