SHELL-SHOCKED supporters were today pledging their loyalty to Blackburn Rovers in the wake of Alan Shearer's bombshell move.

Many fans have written to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph since the world record £15m transfer of the England striker to Newcastle United.

And as the dust settles on the deal fans are beginning to rally support for the under-fire club.

Colin Mustoe, managing director of office seating company Senator International, Accrington, said he had considered giving up the firm's corporate hospitality box for the new season.

But he said today: "This was a gut reaction and, I believe, totally the wrong decision.

"We have confirmed today that we will continue with the box for next year and look forward to cheering on the team and everyone else at Ewood Park in an effort to prove that the team is still bigger than one man, even if it was Alan Shearer.

"I hope all the other fans of Blackburn, many of whom have supported Rovers for far longer than I have, get behind their team and prove to the doubters that Blackburn are still a big team."

Other fans who have contributed to our bumper postbag are in no doubt that there is life after Alan Shearer.

One letter even says his transfer is for the best, as fans would now discover who the true supporters are.

"We've been called a one-man team for the last four seasons. Now's the time to rally round the team and support them as they try to prove otherwise," the letter adds.

But others are not so forgiving of Shearer or officials at Ewood Park.

Rovers fan Tony Catterall says: "The club emerges from this situation with little credit. Throughout the period of speculation we have repeatedly been assured that Shearer was under contract and not for sale at any price.

"The club never admitted to the fans that the Shearer contract had a break clause which effectively rendered it worthless from a duration aspect."

But season-ticket holder John Fenton says: "Anyone who expresses a wish to leave the club must be allowed to go - and the quicker, the better."

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