THE imminent departure of Alan Shearer (pictured) for Newcastle signals the end of an era at Ewood Park and I have no doubt that it will be marked by more than a few tears among the legions of Blackburn Rovers supporters.

Their only slight consolation is that he isn't going to bitter rivals Manchester United, despite a concerted summer-long campaign by the national media to push the striker towards their favourite club.

But the agony of losing the best player in British football, a world-class striker, will still bite deep and not only among the fans.

Jack Walker and Robert Coar have worked tirelessly to turn the tide, in the end to no avail.

The fee might be a world record but they would rather have had the player than the money any time.

At the end of last season Shearer wasn't going anywhere. He was thinking only of the European Championships.

But the pressures that such mass speculation can bring look as though they might have prompted a change of heart. And, knowing the player, I am sure that his heart as much as his head has played a part in this decision.

The lure of his hometown club has finally proved too much - once a Geordie always a Geordie.

This will not be a move about money for Shearer, even though he will no doubt reap immense rewards.

He's going home and that, I believe, will have been the factor that tipped the balance.

I do not think for one moment that he would have left Ewood for Old Trafford.

Genuine Rovers supporters will, I believe, accept Shearer's decision with that in mind.

It wasn't until last night that the battle to keep him at Ewood Park finally had to be conceded after four seasons during which the player has been a magnificent servant to the club.

If there were three things that came together to make the modern Blackburn Rovers and take the club to undreamed-of heights they were: Jack Walker, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Shearer.

One man provided the resources, another the know-how and credibility off the field.

Shearer, a British record signing at £3.3 million when he arrived from Southampton four years and two days ago, completed the jigsaw.

He brought not only on-field credibility but results, winning games that would normally have been drawn or lost by his extraordinary ability.

Rovers' big problem now is how to limit the damage after a summer when Shearer's Ewood future seemed assured, only for things to change dramatically less than three weeks before the start of a new season.

They can't replace Shearer directly, there's no-one around big enough to fill his boots.

But there are ways.

When the striker missed half a season in his first year with Rovers, other players came in and did the job.

For there is one thing we must all remember and which, co-incidentally, was voiced at a recent supporters' meeting.

No one player, no matter how much everyone thinks of him, is bigger than the club.

Blackburn Rovers have taken a huge blow to the chin. Critics all over the country will claim they are out for the count.

The "one-man taunts" will be given another airing.

Club and fans have got to pull together and show they are big enough to get back on their feet and start to fight back.

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