WHEN football folk in these parts talk about the Fab Four in years to come, they won't be talking about a mop-haired quartet from Merseyside with a unique musical talent, writes PETER WHITE.

Subject for discussion will be Alan Shearer's incredible four seasons with Blackburn Rovers.

The Glory Years would be an appropriate title for the tale of four unprecedented years, jam packed with goals and a championship success.

When Shearer arrived, it was at the cost of another hero - firebrand David Speedie, idolised by the fans as Rovers gained promotion.

But the new boy was soon to become a far greater idol than any other player in modern times.

To many people, Shearer was Rovers, though once emotions have settled down genuine supporters will continue to follow the club as they have always done. But, while life goes on, it can never be the same again - not without that man laying opposition defences to waste in a golden jamboree of goals.

Yet, to achieve the feats he has done, for Rovers and England, Shearer first had to overcome a dreaded cruciate knee ligament injury.

Thanks to the finest medical skills and the player's own determination, he did just that and came back better than ever.

Alan Shearer 1992-96 sounds like an obituary. To Rovers supporters it will almost seem like that as they look back on the "Fab Four":

JULY, 1992: Shearer's British record £3.3 million transfer to Rovers from Southampton is wrapped up on the day the club are playing Hibs in Glasgow in a pre-season friendly.

The player links up with his new team-mates, the game is lost 3-0 and there are few signs of the fireworks to come.

AUGUST, 1992: Shearer marks his Premiership debut for Rovers with two goals in a 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace. Days later, his habit of scoring on debuts continues with the winner over Arsenal in his first home game.

DECEMBER, 1992: With 22 goals already in the bag, Shearer suffers cruciate ligament damage against Leeds at Ewood on Boxing Day.

The extent of the injury is not fully diagnosed until he tries to make a comeback against Cambridge early in January. A February operation means it's the end of Shearer's season.

AUGUST, 1993: In the small Irish town of Drogheda, Shearer's comeback begins. An appearance as a substitute for the last 11 minutes brings two goals. He's back!

Then followed several reserve team matches and half a dozen appearances as a first team sub, starting against Norwich. As a sub at Newcastle on August 29, he scores his first Premiership goal of the season.

SEPTEMBER, 1993: First full League game back after injury v Sheffield Wednesday on September 25 and, of course, he scores.

MAY 94: Shearer ends the season with 34 goals in all competitions as Rovers finish runners-up to Manchester United in the Premiership.

NOVEMBER, 1994: A Shearer hat-trick takes Rovers to the top of the table and they are there to stay for the rest of the season as the championship arrives at Ewood Park for the first time in 81 years.

MAY, 1995: It's VE Day at Ewood and Shearer scores the only goal of the game against Newcastle to put Rovers one step away from the title. Six days later they lose at Anfield but are crowned champions and Shearer is top Premiership scorer with 34 League goals.

DECEMBER, 1995: Another spectacular strike against Spurs makes him the first man to score 100 Premiership goals.

JUNE, 1996: Five goals for his country bring the golden boot for Shearer as England reach the semi-finals of the European Championships.

JULY, 1996: After a summer of hysterical speculation in the national media, Shearer decides on a £15 million move to his home city of Newcastle.

Footballer of the Year, PFA Player of the Year, the fastest Rovers player this century to score 100 League goals, more hat-tricks in one season than anyone else has ever managed at Ewood and a phenomenal striking rate...that was Alan Shearer 1992-96.

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