Geordie boys are making Shearer proud
ALAN Shearer has told of his pride at seeing Geordies at the vanguard of Newcastle United's charge towards the Premier League.
Steven Taylor and Andy Carroll have been at the forefront of the club's renaissance in the Championship, while Newcastle-raised Shola Ameobi has banged in eight goals.
And Easington-born goalkeeper Steve Harper has been unbeatable between the posts.
Defender Taylor, expected to return from injury next month, was this week named Sport Newcastle's Sports Personality of the Year at a ceremony attended by previous winner Shearer.
And 11-goal Carroll, one of the first names on Chris Hughton's team-sheet after coming of age, has been regularly finding the net for the league leaders.
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Shearer quickly came to appreciate Taylor's footballing qualities when the pair played alongside each other for Newcastle, while the club's all-time record scorer was a role model to a young Carroll as he came up through the ranks at United.
And Gateshead-born Carroll has been tipped to inherit the No9 jersey Shearer wore with such distinction.
"Steven's a local guy, and everyone, including myself, have always had high hopes for him," Shearer told the Gazette.
"I got on great with him, and didn't have any problems with him at all.
"He wants to do well, he wants to improve and he loves the football club, which I think's the most important thing.
"If you're going into a battle on the pitch, you wouldn't mind going in with Tayls, or Andy, to be fair. They've shown those qualities this season.
"The more local guys, the better. They're the focal point, because they know what it means to people, so the more the merrier."
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
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