ALAN Shearer left Ewood for Tyneside today with a message of hope for Blackburn Rovers supporters - Jack Walker will take the club back to the top.

The hero of Euro 96 revealed that he had a verbal agreement with the club to be able to move should the right deal come along.

And the lure of his hometown club proved too much to resist.

But Shearer also gave Rovers fans a ray of hope, as well as a vote of thanks to them and Jack Walker for his "magnificent" spell at Ewood.

"My four years at Blackburn have been magnificent and I want to personally thank Jack Walker for his care and consideration throughout my time at the club," said Shearer today.

"He has been a real father figure to me and I know we will always be the very best of friends.

"Jack battled harder than anyone could imagine in an attempt to persuade me to stay at Blackburn.

"The important thing for Blackburn fans to understand is that Jack has lost none of his ambition.

"My situation is down to an agreement which I chose to apply.

"I simply felt that it was time for a fresh challenge.

"But rest assured that Jack will not be content until he has won the Premiership again and conquered Europe and when he does I will be the first to congratulate him.

"He is a gentleman and the people of Blackburn are lucky to have leaders like him and Robert Coar guiding them into the future.

"I would like to thank Ray Harford for his understanding when I told him of my decision to join Newcastle.

"He thanked me for everything and wished me every success.

"It was just the way I wanted to leave, no bitterness just friendship.

"In due course there will be a Press conference at Newcastle where I will explain everything more fully.

"In the meantime, I send my warmest wishes to every Blackburn fan and wish them a great season."

Shearer was having medicals in Newcastle today, before linking up with the club on their Far East tour.

In Rovers colours he has been a phenomenal player, scoring a staggering total of 130 goals in 165 (plus six as sub) senior appearances.

He broke all sorts of records, becoming the first player to score 100 goals in the Premiership and the first man to pass 30 goals in three successive top-flight seasons.

Tomorrow's video launch of "Shearer on Shearer", scheduled for Ewood, has been cancelled and will probably be held at Newcastle when they return.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.