For me, growing up in the 90’s, Alan Shearer was THE striker – outside of my beloved Notts County – like many a kid (and probably adult) of the time I would celebrate any goal (not that there were many) by circling away, one arm in the air, emulating one of the words most famous goal celebrations. So, it is hardly surprising that I was keen to get a long when I found out Big Al would be taking to the stage at the Royal Concert Hall for almost two hours of conversation.
Taking my fifteen year old football mad son along, we took our seats – the only people in a 1000 strong audience in the Nottingham version of the black and white stripes – and settled down for the show. Chants of “SHEARER, SHEARER” filled the air as the man who, even over fifteen years after retiring, still remains the all-time Premier League top goal scorer, took to the stage.
What followed was an enlightening trip down memory lane, from his days walking to his beloved St James Park as a child to moving away from home at just 15 to join Southampton’s academy, we had stories about joining Blackburn, his wife’s initial shock when they moved there, and that 1995 Premier League title win.
Then of course there were the England stories, including how Shearer was just about the only player in the bar not pictured during the infamous “dentists chair” incident ahead of Euro 96 and, of course, the obligatory stories about Gazza – not least when he met Robbie Willams.
After the break we were treated to a video reel of Shearers favourite goals, and then chat talked to his move to his hometown club and the ups and downs of his time there including tales of Tino Asprilla – and his wife – and a story about an incident with Kevin Gillespie on a trip to Ireland.
All in all this was a fun, interesting and entertaining night full of great laughs, great stories and great goals.
SHEARER. SHEARER. SHEARER.
Review by Darren Patterson – @pogester
An Evening with Alan Shearer took place at the Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 21 May 2023
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