Newcastle's Shearer giving £1M to charity
tribalfootball.com - February 16, 2006
Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer is giving up £1 million as he
pushes on with retirement plans at the end of this season.
The Geordie icon will donate EVERY PENNY from his testimonial match
to charity.
Shearer, 35, marks a decade on Tyneside with a clash against Celtic
at St James' Park on May 11.
He said: "It is a great honour and privilege to have a testimonial
game at this wonderful club.
"I hope that by pledging the money to charity and worthy causes,
people less fortunate than myself will also benefit in some way
from my career."
Shearer joined the Geordies from Blackburn in 1996 and broke Jackie
Milburn's club scoring record after hitting his 201st goal this
month.
The former England man added: "I'm just a sheet metal worker's son
from Gosforth but I've lived my boyhood dream.
"I've played in front of the most loyal fans in the world,
captained my country, played for the home team I supported as a boy
and broken the scoring record of an absolute Tyneside legend.
"Now I have my final opportunity to say farewell to the fans who
have supported me throughout my career."
Ex-Sunderland striker Niall Quinn went close to raking in £1m for
charity from his testimonial in 2002 - but Shearer is expected to
top that.
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "Alan is the epitome of
all that is good about this terrific game.
"He will be remembered by today's generation as the greatest player
to play for Newcastle."
