It was the transfer which injected the city with a wave of delirium and elation. They may have been pipped to the post for the league title by Manchester United, but the Tyneside club would win a very separate race during the summer - for the services of the most lethal finisher in English football. The Gosforth-born Shearer had just finished another brilliant personal season at Ewood Park, having notched 37 goals in 48 matches, while his fearsome partnership with Chris Sutton had reaped the rewards of an unprecedented Premiership trophy the season before. Having once been rejected by the club he grew up supporting, they were ready to offer him a route home, but first had to fight off the overtures of Sir Alex Ferguson. With Manchester United agreeing a fee with Blackburn, Shearer was all set to join the Red Devils, when Kevin Keegan requested one last audience with Englands number nine, and persuaded him that his future lay at St. James Park. A world record transfer fee was smashed in July 1996, as the Premiership runners-up agreed a £15 million fee with Blackburn for their prodigal son, £1.7 million more than Barcelona had splashed out for Brazilian hot-shot Ronaldo.
''I was particularly impressed with Alex Ferguson. But Kevin Keegan also has great qualities and it was the challenge of coming home and wearing the famous black and white shirt which made up my mind for me. - Alan Shearer, July 1996.
So that's a wrap - what do you think? Have there been any glaring omissions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
