For Alan Shearer, there was only ever one option when he was presented with a choice of where to go after Blackburn. He was a local lad who had once had a trial at the club - unfortunately some idiot put him in goal and then passed on the chance to invite him back - and like all Geordies the call of the Gallowgate and the chance to be not just a hero but a local hero in the number nine proved to be all the persuasion he needed to sign for Newcastle. Thanks to his phenomenal goal record, he had the two most enticing suitors in English football at the time, and his snub of Sir Alex Ferguson would be the second time he had said no to the Scottish legend. And despite not winning anything at Newcastle, the goal-scoring legend has no regrets about turning down Man Utd:
"Of course I was tempted to join Manchester United, but I do not regret either decision. I had a magical time at Blackburn, winning the league. And I completed my own dream of playing for my home town club of Newcastle. I have memories I will hold forever and a goalscoring record that makes me extremely proud."
He could have won everything there was to win, but local pride talked loudest and he came home.
