ALAN Shearer is NOT leaving Blackburn Rovers for Manchester United.

That was the defiant message roared from Ewood Park today.

The Sun reported a £19m deal had already been struck.

Rovers chairman Robert Coar blasted: "The story is absolute crap - with a capital K!

"It is completely and utterly untrue.

"This rumour seems to be going round in circles and it is becoming increasingly irritating for everyone concerned, particularly our supporters.

"This situation seems to be cropping up on an almost daily basis and we are weary with it all. I have had regular contact with Alan and we have even had a chuckle about some of the rubbish that appears on the back pages."

Coar added: "No player can go off and sign for another club without the club owning his registration knowing about it.

"For another club to have spoken to one of our players, a fee would first have to have been agreed." Manchester United have contacted Rovers exressing an interest in the player on two occasions but were met by the same response on both occasions - Shearer is simply not for sale.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph has repeatedly poured cold water on rumours which have been sweeping the town.

At the start of Euro 96 we carried exclusive quotes from the player insisting he was already looking forward to pre-season training at Brockhall.

Rovers supremo Jack Walker today fielded questions from national newspaper reporters by referring them to our story - published on June 7.

And Walker added: "I am not only frustrated, I am very angry.

"Alan is not going anywhere. It is not just a case of Alan Shearer kicking off next season for Blackburn Rovers. People might misconstrue that statement.

"The fact is Alan Shearer will be playing for Blackburn Rovers next season.

"The speculation is damaging our season ticket sales.

"We have sold a lot but we want to sell them all - and this sort of thing doesn't help."

The deal was reported to involve £12m cash changing hands between the two clubs - with United striker Andy Cole coming to Ewood!

That was certainly news to manager Ray Harford. He said: "It's all complete nonsense. There is nothing in this story whatsoever. Alan Shearer is not going to Manchester United.

"I've spoken to Alan several times during Euro 96, and again after the England game this week, and he gave me no indication whatsoever that he was ready to leave. He will be playing for Blackburn Rovers next season."

Harford added: "Stories like this are extremely damaging to the name of Blackburn Rovers and the all the recent newspaper coverage was just pure conjecture."

Even the reporter who 'broke' the story, Brian Woolnough, was today qualifying his report.

He said: "I would not be surprised if Alan Shearer was wearing a Manchester United shirt next season."

Meanwhile, Rovers have confirmed a string of pre-season friendly fixtures before the Premiership campaign kicks-off on August 17.

Rovers play third division Colchester United at Layer Road on August 3 and are pencilled in to face Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium on August 5. Rovers wind up their pre-season build-up against Preston North End at Deepdale on Monday, August 12.

Blackburn have also agreed to send a representative side to play North West Counties League side Clitheroe at Shawbridge on August 3.

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