Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has provided a superb response to a question posed to Sunderland fans on the Tyne-Wear derby. Supporters of the Black Cats were asked whether they miss the derby day occasions, to which Shearer also gave his view on.
It has now been over six years since the two sides have gone head-to-head; Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship in 2015/16 was proceeded by an immediate return to the Premier League. But in the same season, Sunderland were themselves relegated and as yet, they have been unable to secure a top-flight return.
In fact, the Black Cats suffered back-to-back relegations and only last season, did they manage to secure a return to the second tier. But during Shearer’s career he went head-to-head with bitter rivals Sunderland on 11 occasions during his Newcastle days, in which he enjoyed a mixed record.
READ MORE: Peter Kenyon 'fronting consortium' to buy Everton after failed Newcastle United takeover bid
Shearer netted six goals in 11 matches against the Black Cats, including his final ever kick of a ball in professional football. He did, however miss a crucial penalty in a meeting at St James’ Park in November 2000, which would’ve earned him a late point.
The Premier League’s record goalscorer reflected humorously to the incident that followed his penalty miss, but also looked back on those meetings as the ‘biggest of the season’.
He said: “Miss the drama, the massive occasion, the biggest day of the season, the unbelievable feeling of scoring. Don’t miss Ruud Gullit’s teamsheet or the 10ft pile of s*** that was left outside my house when I missed a penalty! Or even shoving it up them with my last kick of a ball.”
Listen to our latest NUFC podcast from the team at Everything Is Black and White
