I WAS filled with pride when Alan Shearer scored the opening goal of Euro '96 against the Swiss at Wembley.

I was thrilled to bits when the Rovers targetman struck gold again against the Auld Enemy just a few days ago. And to see him become the competition's top scorer with his superb goal and penalty against Holland just sent me into orbit.

I am proud to be a Blackburnian and to see our prized asset wearing the three lions on his England shirt with such patriotism and pride.

It seems that Shearer does a lot of charity work in his spare time and always conducts himself in a manner becoming of a sportsman earning more in one week than a lot of people earn in a year, myself included.

Shearer may be a Geordie but he is now Blackburn's favourite adopted son, and no wonder.

I say give him the freedom of the borough, he's earned it, and we are as proud of him as Blackburn Rovers Football Club must be. So come on Blackburn Council, give the man his due!

Number One

Rovers Fan,

Eanam

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