Mad Brit Diary

Shearer rewarded Magpie fans with loyalty, record 201st goal.

(Friday, February 10, 2006) -- Newcastle United of the English Premier League is a little like Major League Soccer's MetroStars. Both are big clubs in excellent markets, but just can't win any silverware.

Once upon a time, Newcastle used to win trophies, but that was a long time ago.

Over 52,000 loyal fans regularly turn up to watch the Magpies play in the northeast of England, but the club hasn't won a domestic trophy in 51 years. Too bad Newcastle star Alan Shearer didn't move to Manchester United nine years ago when he had the chance. If he had, the former England striker would have a cabinet full of medals, including six English Premier League titles, two FA Cup medals and a Champions League crown to boot.

Instead, Shearer chose to join his hometown club when he left Blackburn Rovers in 1996 after winning a lone EPL crown. The 35-year-old Shearer, now playing in his last season, might have little to show from his nine years at Newcastle, but he has certainly won the hearts of the people in the city.

Last week, Shearer gave the Magpies' long-suffering fans something to cheer about when he scored his 201st goal in 394 games, breaking the record of 200 by Newcastle legend Jackie Milburn's record in 397 matches.

In a season bogged down by injuries and poor play -- the coach was fired 11 days ago -- Shearer's milestone was a welcome relief. The cleats used to score the record tally will now be silver-plated and placed in the club's museum. And no doubt one day, there will be a statue of Shearer standing right next to Milburn's outside the club's venue, St. James Park.

Milburn, who helped the Magpies win three FA Cups (1951-52, 1955), later became a sportswriter. When he died in 1988 at age 68, Newcastle came to a standstill.

There's still hope that Shearer can end his career on a high note. The Magpies are still alive in the FA Cup and host Shearer's old team, Southampton, February 18 in the last 16. It would be fitting that such a great player could go out in glory, holding the FA Cup high on May 13.

One thing is certain, it's going to take a while before anyone breaks Shearer's scoring record in the EPL, where he has notched an amazing 255 goals.

Baltimore-born Kenny Cooper, 21, who signed this week for FC Dallas after being released from Manchester United, comes from a good pedigree. Cooper's dad Ken played for Lamar Hunt's Dallas Tornado in the old North American Soccer League, competing in 170 games in goal from 1970-1979. He also coached the indoor Baltimore Blast for many years.

Mido had to be held back from an argument with his coach after being substituted late in the semifinal win over Senegal. Mido's replacement, Amr Zaki, scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win.

Mido, 22, who is on loan to English team Tottenham Hotspur from Roma of Italy has a track record of bust-ups with coaches.

Martin Newall writes: "Hi there! I am an East Londoner now living in Toronto, Canada. I have been blabbering about the non-British invasion of the EPL for years now. As you point out, there doesn`t seem to be an ounce of national pride nowadays. The young English boys have a right to play and earn a paycheck in their own country. It's embarrassing."

Adrian Moses writes: "You fail to notice 13 British players in the West Ham uniformed players for the same game. You could add Shaka Hislop, as he was born and raised in England -- that means Yossi Benyayoun was the only one from outside the British Isles.

"Rather than make your conclusions on a team that is falling from grace, you should maybe take a look at a young, homegrown team and manager that is impressing this year in the EPL. Yes, I am a West Ham fan."

Lasse writes: "It's a matter of the right mix. Going English is not a bad idea."

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