Alan Shearer

“When I was a kid, the No. 9 shirt was the one you wanted. It was the one all the great goalscorers wore.”

“When you're a young boy, you dream of playing for your boyhood club.”

“If you ask any player, they want to play for their country.”

“My dad was a sheet-metal worker, my mum was a cleaner, and I was a footballer. Simple.”

“I don't have any regrets at all. I have been very fortunate.”

“It was my dream to play for Newcastle United, and I was lucky enough to do that.”

“You've got to have the hunger and the desire to go out and score goals.”

“I never saw myself as a celebrity. I'm just a normal lad from Newcastle who was good at kicking a ball.”

“Pressure is something you have to learn to deal with in this game.”

“Every striker has a barren spell. It's just a matter of time before you get back among the goals.”

“Being captain of your country is a great honour.”

“You don't just become a top player overnight.”

“I've got a lot of respect for players who are loyal to their club.”