Alan Shearer Blog
Home  »    »  Alan Shearer: “Sport is nothing without fans”

Alan Shearer: “Sport is nothing without fans”

| 04.12.2020
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Coral ambassador discusses the return of fans to sport

As sports fans return to stadiums and racecourses in parts of the UK today, Coral ambassador Alan Shearer has welcomed their return in his latest video blog.

Shearer believes this year has been a reminder of how important fans are to sport and how they should never be taken for granted again.

He said: “It is hugely important to have fans back in stadiums, albeit in small numbers. One thing we have realised over the last few months, whether it is football, rugby, cricket or horse racing, it is not the same without fans.

“The novelty of starting sport again after the first lockdown has worn away. It is far more difficult now seeing stadiums without any fans in them. It feels really flat.

“Some players have probably enjoyed not having a crowd there as it has taken the pressure off them. They may have even tried things they wouldn’t normally do with the fear of being criticised by the fans. But then, on the other hand, some players and teams have struggled as they thrive off the crowd.

“Over the past few years fans have probably been taken for granted. This has been a reminder that sport is nothing without them. I hope they get treated with more respect going forward. Tickets should be far more accessible and cheaper.”

SHEARER’S NOVEMBER PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

James Ward-Prowse is one of the players who has impressed me in November. Only David Beckham has scored more direct free kicks in the Premier League than the Southampton player which says a lot about his ability in dead-ball situations.

Jack Grealish had a fantastic month. He has established himself with England and is counting to impress in an Aston Villa shirt.

Edouard Mendy has kept five clean sheets for Chelsea now. You can’t underestimate how important he has been for Frank Lampard’s side. We all said that is what Chelsea have needed and he is proving to be the answer to their problems.

“I spoke to Frank last week and he has been hugely impressed with Mendy. It was a huge decision to make to leave Kepa out. There was a lot of pressure on the new ‘keeper but nobody can ask for more than what has delivered so far.

Diogo Jota at Liverpool is proving to be a great buy. I was slightly surprised when he went there. The question was, would he get a game? He is more than getting a game as he is looking very comfortable in that Liverpool team. When you get into the team as a striker, you have to take your chances and he has done that.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been what Tottenham and Mourinho have needed. He is that grafter in the midfield but also someone who can pass well and drive the ball well.”

«
»

Author

Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer played his entire career at the top level of English football, winning the Premier League title with Blackburn in 1994-95. The following summer he signed for his hometown club, Newcastle United, for a then world record £15 million fee.

He ended his playing career with a record 260 Premier League goals, which still stands today. He also won 63 caps for England, including 34 as captain, and among his 30 international goals were five scored at Euro 96, a total that won him the Golden Boot at that tournament.

Now the chief pundit on Match Of The Day, Alan was one of the first two players inducted into the Premier League Hall Of Fame this year.