ALAN SHEARER’S name was ripped down from St James’ Park this week — and Newcastle did not even consult him. Cranes arrived on Wednesday to take down the ‘Shearer’s’ sign from the bar named after him at the Gallowgate End. Shearer said: “There was no consultation, I was simply informed by email of their decision to change the name. It was not a question of me agreeing or disagreeing. “It is their ground and it is up to the owners what they do with it. “It won’t stop me from buying my season tickets and supporting the team.” The bar was named in the former Toon striker’s honour by then-chairman Freddy Shepherd in December 2004 but will now be called Nine. Club director John Irving said: “Its popularity has dwindled over the years as this part of Newcastle has developed and new bars have opened around it. “In transforming the site and opening the bar to a wider range of visitors, it was important a new name remained in-keeping with our history and heritage.” The club have told Shearer they will hold an auction to raise money for his foundation for disabled children in the North East on the night of Nine bar’s opening next month. And Shearer said: “I appreciate that gesture.” But in SunSport yesterday he hit out at the club where he hit 206 goals in 10 years after the return of former boss Joe Kinnear as director of football. He said: “Right now people are laughing at the football club I support and that sickens me. “I promised myself years ago never to be surprised by what happens in football — particularly at Newcastle.”
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 23:18:23 +0000
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