NUFC fans turn up at St James's Park for Alan Shearer training session

Apr 8 2009 by Alastair Craig and Joanne Butcher, The Journal

THOUSANDS of fans turned out to see their hero lead a Newcastle United training session. Alan Shearer opened the doors to St James’s Park so the supporters could see him start his bid to keep the team in the Premiership.

And a stunning 7,500 fanatics turned up to watch. They even got to see Newcastle’s most prolific No 9 turn the clock back.

Joining in a seven-a-side practice match, Shearer reformed his deadly strike partnership with old team-mate Michael Owen.

Scoring twice in a 2-1 win, including a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner, the new manager wheeled away with his trademark arm-aloft celebration.

Thousands of fans in the ground erupted with chants of “Shearer, Shearer”, as their hero netted goals 207 and 208 in the black and white – albeit in a training kit this time.

Supporters were invited to see the team training as Shearer put the squad through their paces in a coaching session. The ground opened at 11.30am yesterday and the manager’s goals were the highlight of a 45-minute show for fans – including England cricketer Steve Harmison and his children.

Hundreds of school pupils on their Easter break took the chance to see Newcastle’s talisman try to sprinkle his magic dust over the squad ahead of the trip to Stoke this weekend.

And most agreed that the former Gallowgate hero was the best player on the pitch – even at 38 years of age.