Shearer’s mission to the Far East

TOON HERO WILL SPREAD GOSPEL OF WALLSEND BC

ALAN Shearer is a giant of a footballer who has never forgotten his Geordie roots.

In a playing career of total distinction Shearer became Newcastle United’s all-time record goalscorer, repeatedly skippering his country during a run of 63 England caps before going on to establish himself as the voice of BBC’s Match Of The Day.

However, it all began in a hut on Wallsend’s Station Road and, with that gratefully in mind, Shearer is to travel to the other side of the world later this year to spread the gospel of Wallsend Boys Club.

Shearer will front a contingent from England’s most famous nursery club who are visiting Hong Kong to work with under-privileged kids, a scheme they set up two years ago through three former Wallsend BC members now living and working in the one-time British colony.

Tony Sealy, who found fame with Southampton, Crystal Palace, QPR and Leicester City, is behind the project along with Chris Vale and Neil Jensen. Wallsend Boys Club have already done great work in Hong Kong, not just playing in their annual Soccer Sevens alongside big-name clubs from around the world but sending out top stars like Kevin Keegan and Terry McDermott to act as ambassadors. Now Shearer is to join the distinguished roll call with the centre piece of his trip a lavish fundraiser at the plush Hong Kong Football Club on Thursday, November 9. He is taking the opportunity afforded by an international break to head to the Far East. Jensen said: “We have raised sufficient funds to have 10 children aged four to six from a local orphanage join the Hong Kong Football Club Junior Programme beginning on September 2.

“This is one the most sought-after football coaching courses in HK and is not only costly but heavily oversubscribed. The 10 Wallsend representatives will have the best of training gear and access to good facilities and coaches.

“Our aim is to have 10 further children join each year as we grow the WBC Hong Kong programme to help underprivileged children do things the ‘Wallsend’ way.”

The ambitious target is to see 100 join up over the next 10 years, all funded by WBC.

It is quite a step on to the global stage from humble beginnings back in 1904, when the club was formed by the employees and directors of Swan Hunters Shipyard in order to provide recreational activities for the apprentices.

Shearer himself will work with the Wallsend 10 while in Hong Kong as well as fronting get-togethers for expats and Chinese businessmen in a city obsessed by Premier League football.