The Evening Chroncile is reporting today that there are plans in place for the unveiling of an Alan Shearer statue on St James’ Boulevard.
Alan Shearer – always scoring
The report is that the statue will be in place before the summer, and it’s great news that one of Newcastle’s best ever players, and the top goalscorer at Newcastle with 206 goals in 404 games for the club, will always be remembered for what he did for Newcastle United, his hometown club.
Of course it is also fitting that the statue will be in place for the Olympic football tournament, with St James’ Park being one of the venues for the event.
With the recent upsetting news that the club will sell the naming rights of St. James’ Park, it’s a relief to hear that the Olympic committee has already ruled the stadium must retain its original non-commercial name for the tournament.
Jackie Milburn – the great one
And it seems that the complete plans call for the top two goalscorers ever at Newcastle, Jackie Milburn, 200 goals in 496 appearances for the Magpies, and Shearer, both local lads, will have life-size statues created by local sculptor Tom Maley.
Maley has already developed a Wor Jackie statue, and the project has gathered significant support from the Newcastle fans in recent months.
Maley is in discussions with the Newcastle City Council and Nexus for the creation of the new Alan Shearer statue.
Nexus operate the St James’ Metro station behind the Gallowgate End, which by the way will not have its name changed if and when the naming rights to the stadium are sold.
This is indeed good news today, that two of the best-ever players for Newcastle will be memorialized with life size statues. 😀
Comments welcome.
40 comments so far
GeordieGerman
Nov 15, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Comment #1About bloody time.
Graeme
Nov 15, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Comment #2Good news – nice to see two real Newcastle Football legends recognized in this way.
They both deserve it although its probably fair to say Jackie Milburn is long overdue this accolade.
Toon_Jock
Nov 15, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Comment #3What about Gazza? 🙂
Selbymag
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Comment #4Another Milburn statue? The previous statue was moved from the ground during redevelopment no on corner of Barrack road
I have not issues with this other than the fact it will further feed Shearers out of control ego.
Great goal scorer dont get me wrong but he got bloody well paid for his “loyalty”.
GeordieGerman
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Comment #5Selbymag, Strange that. I was also wondering if Newcastle is big enough for two Shearers?
Selbymag
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Comment #6He already has the bar at the ground named after him im surprised he has not bought the naming rights for the stadium. Its not like he cant afford it!! After all he loyally ensured he was the highest player at the club for 10 years.
There are men in the clubs history who are as equally deserving of recognition – Joe Harvey for instance or Keegan as manager and player.
These men have left a bigger mark on the club in “my opinion”
Stuart
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Comment #7Haha Shearer Stadium.
magpiebop
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Comment #8Nice to see another Ashington lad Tom Maley commissioned for the Shearer statue, he also created the soldier statue outside Ashington library if you want to see his work. Graeme Mitcheson also Ashington born, sculpted the Bobby Robson bust at St James Park.
magpiebop
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Comment #9Tom Maley also did the Jackie Milburn statue on Ashington main street.
Rowan Milsted
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #10Great stuff. Can’t help wondering if this is an attempt to placate some unhappy fans and prove the owner does care about the club’s history… I could be way off though, depends who’s paying for it.
A little off topic but I was wondering if anyone knows about Marveaux’s fitness? I’m trying to work out what team Pardew will play against City. To my knowledge Shola should be fit, Cabaye and Tiote possibilities, Obertan and Williamson still injured. Haven’t heard anything on Marveaux though.
magpiebop
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Comment #11Hughie Gallagher should also have a statue imo.
Graeme
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Comment #12Selby,
Would have to agree that Keegan, as a player and the first time he managed the club, made a huge impact. As a player, he gave everything he could; as a Manager, the first time, he created something very special even though success wasn’t achieved.
Not sure our Illustrious Leaders would be rushing off to spend a few grand on a KK statue any time soon though. I guess their court loss is probably still a raw wound!!!
Selbymag
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #13Graeme – I agree but surely no love lost between the current regime and Shearer either.
Magpiebop I agree on Hugie as well but where does it stop.. many men have played huge roles in making this club what it is today.
I nominate Lawrie McMenemy for taking 5under1and down into the 3rd Division.
Sav
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #14Milburm, yes. Shearer, no. I don’t think its fair or appropriate to raise a statue to a young guy – one indeed who has stated dream of returning to SJP as manager one day, who still has a pint in town, who’s kids are still going to school and all the rest of it. Too much of a millstone around anyone’s neck. Give Al a break. Put it up when he’s 70. For now, let it be Wor Jackie and maybe the tragic but brilliant Wee Hughie, or big Joe Harvey, last manager to raise a trophy for us.
But while Al is still a TV pundit, still perhaps with a managerial career ahead of him (with all the ups and downs that implies) or whatever else he chooses to do with his life, let him be excused this honour for now. I’m sure he knows his status in Newcastle without carrying 6 tons of bronze on his back for the rest of his born days.
Stuart
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Comment #15You make it sound likes its a curse Sav!
markmac
Nov 15, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Comment #16bout time we had some good memories erected in the shape of 2 of our finest ever players
HWTL
simon
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Comment #17Disagree with the anti shearer clap trap, the guy give his all 4 his hometown club when he could have signed 4 man u and won a boat load of trophies! Of course he got paid big money, if the club offer him big wages then he will take it, most if not all that squad in that era were on big money.
boater
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Comment #18‘Shearer’, The musical?
Tiote
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Comment #19Wot bout kenny n his son Paul. Transformed us into relagation candidates.
planb
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Comment #20Why is there a not statue to the great Hughie gallacher? The last captain to win the league champinship with Necastle united his goal scoring record of a 160 appearances with 133 goals gives him a strike rate of over 82% which unmatched by any other Newcastle striker before or since its a disgrace there isnt a statue to this remarkable man.
stuart no9
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Comment #21jackie milburn already has a statue on SJ, Boulavard hasnt he ?
bobby_ollox
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Comment #22memorialized ? memorialized ? commemorated I think.
bobby_ollox
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Comment #23and Shearer deserves every ounce of memorializationing we give him – he may have took a few quid, but for a long time he was the best in the world at what he did – and he could of gone to ManU 3 times, but chose local glory.
bobby_ollox
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Comment #24mind you there should be a statue of Beardsley there first – and it would be cheaper…
rickskin
Nov 15, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Comment #25Shameless pandering.
toonLYF
Nov 15, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Comment #26Nikos Dabizas statue complete with chest hair gets my vote
Toon_Jock
Nov 15, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Comment #27off topic, nice little video to watch for our upcoming fixture this weekend.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/ … g-27238335
Toon_Jock
Nov 15, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Comment #28i’ll try posting that link again!!
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/premier-league/video/allvideos-22327918/blue-moon-rising-27238335
moonraker
Nov 15, 2011 at 1:24 PM
Comment #29Selbymag:
Get a life man! Shearer was one of the best strikers in world football; a local lad who just wanted to play for the Toon. He’s incomparable and whatever he got paid he was worth it. Milburn as well; true legends!
MacToon
Nov 15, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Comment #30It’s got sod all to do with the club, the council and nexus are trying to organise this and it’ll be on St James’ Boulevard, positioned on the way to SJP.
Toon Tang
Nov 15, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Comment #31they should make an alan shearer life size infatable doll
toonarmy1986
Nov 15, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Comment #32Isn’t this Newcastle council who are behind the statues and nothing to do with Newcastle United it’s self. So for those thinking it’s shameless pandering or away to make up for the name change to the stadium are wrong.
Selbymag
Nov 15, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Comment #33Moonraker yep the same local lad who wanted a multi-million pound contract to manage us in the championship.
I dont doubt Shearer loves Newcastle but he loves himself and his wallett more.
He would not of signed for Newcastle if he didnt think we were going to dominate English football under Keegan.
Its not the fairy story a lot of people think it was.
wynsleap
Nov 15, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Comment #34Wait until there’s a statue of Ashley and Llambias outside the ground – our own version of Laurel and Hardy.
Complete with a bolted-on collection box for Sports Direct. After all – he needs every penny. These free transfers don’t come cheap.
rickskin
Nov 15, 2011 at 2:33 PM
Comment #35@toonarmy1986
I didn’t get a chance to read the story properly as I’m at work.
Apologies, I’ll reserve judgement for when I know arl the facts next time.
The howwa is only going to end up with a cone on it’s heed!
joppadoni
Nov 15, 2011 at 6:28 PM
Comment #36agreed with the idea of havin a hughie statue tbh. not sure about shearer whilst he is alive and a third milburn statue seems a little over the top…
Marty-Toon
Nov 15, 2011 at 9:58 PM
Comment #37A 3rd statue is to be sculpted with Llambias and MA in Sports Direct ladys underwear 😉
That`ll attract the tourists eh
Brutooon
Nov 16, 2011 at 6:12 AM
Comment #38maybe a Shola Ameobi statue of him slipping
rickskin
Nov 16, 2011 at 9:14 AM
Comment #39@Brutooon
Maybe one of Shola holding his bad hip?
lordjoesnow
Nov 16, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Comment #40If i was top goalscorer of all time in the premier league I’d have the biggest ego in the world, but I’ve spoken to Shearer and he is mint. Statue that man up!!