Shearer a 'class above the rest': Shepherd

Alan Shearer is the greatest player ever to pull on the famous black-and-white stripes of Newcastle United.

That is the view of chairman and lifelong supporter Freddy Shepherd, one of the men who helped push through the club’s £15m swoop for the hottest property in British football back in July 1996.

It is a bold statement: Jackie Milburn and Hughie Gallacher enjoy legendary status on Tyneside, while Bobby Moncur, the last man to lift as trophy as Magpies’ skipper, and Peter Beardsley would find a place in most people’s lists of the club’s most influential performers over the years.

However, Shepherd is fully aware of their contributions and yet still believes the 32-year-old striker, who cemented his status with a wonder goal in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Everton, is at the top of the pile.

“I have held this view for some time now and not just after Alan Shearer’s magnificent goal against Everton on Sunday, which I must say is probably the greatest I have ever seen him score,” said Shepherd.

“Alan Shearer has been everything we hoped he would be and more. His goals record speaks for itself but, you name it, he’s got it. His all-round character and skill are amazing.

“And he has been a captain fantastic for us. Certainly when the chips are down, you can rely on Shearer to roll his sleeves up, and we could not ask any more from him.”

Shearer has paid off – and continues to pay off – the then world-record fee United paid Blackburn for his services with a combination of goals and leadership qualities which underpin Sir Bobby Robson’s blueprint for success.

His strike against Everton was his 101st in the Premiership for his home-town club, his 10th of the season and the 302nd league and cup goal of his career.

Shearer will again lead his side into battle at Aston Villa on Saturday hoping to add to that tally, but still aching over the two-match European ban which will force him to miss Robson’s eagerly-anticipated return to Barcelona in the Champions League three days later.

Shearer was handed his suspension on Friday after UEFA disciplinary chiefs studied video evidence of his clash with Inter Milan’s Fabio Cannavaro last Wednesday night and ruled the striker had elbowed his opponent.

The United skipper was desperately disappointed with the decision, but decided not to appeal, preferring instead to bide his time until he can return to Champions League action for the visit of Bayer Leverkusen to St James’ Park on February 26.

With Craig Bellamy also suspended for the game at the Nou Camp, Robson is currently assessing his options, and that could be good news for one of the club’s younger prospects.

Shola Ameobi, Lomana LuaLua and Carl Cort are likely to battle it out for the two starting berths in Spain, although 18-year-old Michael Chopra may also have some part to play.

The teenager has been withdrawn from the England Under-20s squad for their clash with Switzerland at Upton Park next Thursday, and that seems to indicate he could make the trip to Spain.

Chopra travelled to Turin, but did not make the 18 for the clash with Juventus in the first group phase on October 1, and was handed his senior debut as a substitute in the Worthington Cup clash with Everton last month.