Shame on boo boys

HOW petty it was to hear the boos for Alan Shearer upon his return to Ewood Park. How short are people's memories?

This was a footballer who gave us some of the most enthralling moments the crowd at Ewood Park have ever seen.

It was an embarrasment to hear the crowd booing someone who is the greatest footballer that the supporters of Blackburn Rovers have had the pleasure of watching.

We have had some fantastic players in the past, but Alan Shearer delivered the goods (the Premership Title) almost singlehandedly.

We, as a now First Division Club, can never hope to regain Premiership status unless we remember players and appreciate the contribution of someone such as Alan Shearer.

Alan, I, and all my family wish you the best of luck in the FA Cup and thank you for all the marvellous memories you gave us.

ANDREW LIVESEY, Sullivan Drive, Blackburn

Open letter to Shearer

DURING four glorious years, you gave thousands of Blackburn Rovers supporters untold moments of pure bliss and ecstacy with your scoring prowess. We all looked on in awe of your skills and professionalism when playing for our club. In particular, my nephew, who aged from five to nine during your stay at our club, ate, drank and slept in worship of yourself.

On your leaving Rovers, he was, as no doubt many others had been, absolutely heartbroken by your shock departure.

I am not one of the boo-boys who had a go at you on your return to Ewood Park, but I cannot condemn those who booed your every move during your returns.

This is not because you left the Rovers, but over the manner in which your move came about.

Cast your mind back to 1996 and look at the circumstances leading up to your departure.

In order for you to have any chance of playing in Euro96, you needed to have a groin opperation as early as possible. This you duly had because Rovers let you miss the final two matches of the season.

Next came the biggest reason for your hostile reception on your return to Ewood.

You were pictured alongside Tim Flowers in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph wearing the new Rovers football strip, with, above your photo the prominent headline of "I'm Going Nowhere," this statement having been made by you to the local reporter.

Euro96 duly came around and you proved your class by being top scorer in the tournament, nearly helping England to the final.

During those past weeks the press had been full of speculation regarding your future career, be it with Rovers or somebody else. At this point it seems from past statements from the club, you still gave them no hint as to your future plans. You went on a well deserved holiday to the Caribbean for two weeks, still giving no hint of your future plans. The bombshell was dropped, as far as all connected with Blackburn Rovers were concerned, on your return from holiday, which, by this time, we were virtually on the eve of a new season.

This shock more obviously had a deep and lingering effect on all concerned with the well being of Blackburn Rovers, from which I feel we are even to this day feeling repercussions from.

I will finish by stating that lots of past Rovers players have, and still do, receive very warm receptions on their return to the club. It is the manner in which certain players, yourself included, chose to leave the club, which determines the kind of reception received on their return.

S HAWORTH, Fernhill Close, Stacksteads, Bacup

Common courtesy

WHEN will Blackburn Rovers supporters realise that common courtesy costs nothing?

I refer, of course, to the disgusting reception once again given to Alan Shearer on his latest appearance at Ewood Park.

This time the home supporters' jibes backfired as Shearer had the ultimate last laugh - Rovers denied a quarter final FA Cup place.

The only difference between the two teams for me was Alan Shearer.

Perhaps Rovers even shaded the game - they certainly created the better goal chances. But Rovers don't have Shearer, or anyone even remotely near his undeniable class.

Never has one individual's departure from a club led to such a demise in that club's fortunes as Shearer's departure from Rovers.

Not even Cantona leaving Manchester Utd, Keegan leaving Liverpool or Lineker leaving Everton - all at their prime - led to their former clubs' capitulation as has happened at Blackburn. Do the fans who continually abuse Shearer not realise that it does themselves and Rovers no credit at all?

And does it not occur to them, having already driven Jason Wilcox from the club, that other players currently at Ewood Park may not relish playing in front of such mindless, short-sighted, ill-informed so-called fans?

Ironically, Wilcox is being tipped for an England recall since his Ewood departure.

I have said before in these pages that Blackburn Rovers owe Alan Shearer more than he owes Rovers.

Now that the national press and TV have highlighted the "Shearer abuse factor," Rovers are in danger of being branded the club with the most bigoted unsporting fans, even worse than Manchester Utd and that cannot be good for the club.

C WHITESIDE, Queen's Arms, Walney Island, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria

Alan who?

THERE seems to be an outcry from every corner about the way Alan Shearer was booed and jeered throughout Rovers match against Newcastle.

This was not a sudden occurrence - it has happened probably three or four times previously when Newcastle have visited Ewood Park. So why is everyone in the media going on about it now?

We all know why Mr Shearer gets, and will always get, a bad reception - for the way he was adamant that he was staying at Blackburn, then two days later he changed his mind.

As for his comment that he was disappointed after all he had done for us, yes, he was a great player for us, but he was part of a team.

What about what we have done for him?

When we signed him from the obscurity of the Dell, most people said: "Alan who?" He improved his game immensely as part of a good side managed by another great player, Kenny Dalglish. As a result, he got into the England team, which I doubt he would have had he still been at Southampton.

As for him making us £13 million, thanks very much Alan. But most Rovers fans would have father kept Shearer at Ewood and done without the money.

Mr M WIGNALL, George Street, Rishton

Disgusted by reaction

I FEEL a need once again to express my disgust at the appalling reception given to Alan Shearer on his latest return to Ewood Park.

Yet again, this great player from our past was treated worse than a leper by the Rovers "fans" on all three sides of the ground. I really cannot understand why it keeps happening.

Quite apart from being unwarranted, it proved to be as counter-productive as Tony Parkes feared.

At least this time the people who booed him are now a laughing stock as the national media took even more delight than normal in reporting on our defeat because it was Shearer who scored the goals that beat us.

As I am only 26, I cannot go back as far as my dad who has supported Rovers for 50 years, but for me Alan Shearer is the greatest player ever to play for Blackburn Rovers.

One of the best days of my life was at Anfield on the day we won the league, and it would not have happened without Alan Shearer. For me, he will always be a hero, regardless of what has happened since.

What exactly has he done that is so awful? I know he said he was staying at Rovers and then signed for Newcastle, but does that really warrant all the abuse he receives?

Colin Hendry's "sin" was arguably a greater one - signing a new contract the very week before joining Rangers, and yet his name was high on the fans' list of choices to replace Brian Kidd as manager. Chris Sutton was another one who said he was staying at Rovers and then signed for somebody else, but would he receive as much stick as Shearer has done?

Admittedly, his departure was ill-timed and was maybe the catalyst of our decline. However, it isn't Alan Shearer's fault that the world record £15 million we received for him was not put to better use by the club.

To me it is unbelievable that a goalkeeper who only played a handful of games for Rovers (Shay Given) should be applauded and yet the man who did so much for us is booed more than a Burnley player would be.

It is nearly four years since he left - surely, it is time now to forgive his messy departure.

I sincerely hope that when he returns next year Alan Shearer is given the reception he really deserves, and even if he can't be applauded,. please don't boo him.

MICHAEL HARRISON, Leyland Road, Penwortham, Preston

Lucky goals

AS an armchair critic, due to disablement and age, I disagree with Bobby Robson regarding Alan Shearer's goals against Rovers. They were gifted to him on a plate.

Goal number one came from a pass down Newcastle's right and our left flank with no one marking him. He only had Alan Kelly to beat. Goal number two began with a ball right across the goalmouth, and again with no one marking him, a child could have scored. Both were due to bad defensive play - not marking Shearer.

Matt Jansen's goal, for effort and application, was far superior.

C CROSSLAND, Abbotsford Avenue, Blackburn

Saddened

ALAN Shearer says the stick he gets at Ewood "saddens him" (LET, February 1). And who can blame him?

He is the best player to wear the blue and white.

He gave everything for us. He would run through a brick wall for us. He entertained us, he surprised us, he lifted us, he thrilled us.

He was the catalyst for Rovers' success and, above all else, he gave those of us with long memories our pride back.

Not all Rovers supporters agree with the stick he is given. Unfortunately, it comes from the vocal minority.

Shearer left Rovers with his dream move to his home-town club when Rovers management was less than positive and their ambition was being questioned. What a shame that one of the few glorious periods in our history is being marred by the thoughtless outbursts of the mob.

KEN HOLDEN, Douglas Grove, Darwen

Bad buys

THE reason for Blackburn Rovers' poor season is lack of goals.

Natham Blake and Ashley Ward have been bad buys and Egil Ostenstad and Matt Jansen have suffered badly through injuries and loss of form.

If Blackburn are serious about quick promotion, then we have to go back to the transfer market and buy a quality striker on a short term basis, somebody like Teddy Sheringham, of Manchester United.

Blake and Ward have not lived up to their price tags. The pair of them should have scored 20 goals in Division One.

Rovers board should sell them for promotion hopes are fading unless we buy a quality striker.

M DANNY, Wilson Wood Street, Kirkless

Intimidation

SPEAKING after watching TV, I condemn the behaviour - the reprehensible behaviour - of a group of Manchester United players.

Their bullying, threatening and totally outrageous behaviour aimed at a referee can only have done irreparable harm to the name of football. I am well aware that the intimidation of referees has already gone beyond what is acceptable, but the incident in the Middlesbrough match was streets ahead of even the worst previous example.

Something HAS to be done and it is no good leaving it to the 'other guy'.

There should be action by the game's ruling bodies but trying to get the FA of England to act, is like trying to move mount Everest with the bare hands.

ROY ANDERSON, Mount Brydges, Ontario, Canada

Thank you

HAVING spent virtually all my adult life in what can be seen as the rather cynical worlds of newspapers and professional football, I have been overwhelmed by the countless messages of support and goodwill during my recent lengthy absence from work through ill health.

Both I, and my wife Val, would like to say a very sincere thank you not only to the staff at BRI but also to the sporting fraternity of East Lancashire for all the good wishes which have been greatly appreciated.

PETER WHITE

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