By Matthew Jones
August 23 2003

Magpies' skipper Alan Shearer has insisted that he made the right descision when he chose Newcastle and St James' Park over Premiership Rivals Manchester United. Magpies' skipper Alan Shearer has insisted that he made the right descision when he chose Newcastle and St James' Park over Premiership Rivals Manchester United.

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson said over the summer: "In the long term, Shearer could have won us the European Cup. He might have won himself lots of medals, too." But Shearer said: "This club means everything to me.

"It was always my dream to come back home and play. I have fulfilled that dream. It is something which no one can ever take away from me and something which makes me immensely proud.

"I have enjoyed every second of my seven-and-a-bit years here. I have never doubted my decision.

"I love this football club and everything it stands for - I am a Geordie after all, and a proud one at that!

"I have no regrets about my move here to Newcastle. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, it has been everything I hoped it would be . . . and a hell of a lot more!

"I have a very special bond with the supporters, a bond I have had since the first day I came here, when I came home.

"And that will never change. That means so much to me, everything in fact."

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