By Matthew Jones
October 8 2003

Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer has finially scooped the "North East Football Writer's Footballer of the Year" award after twice being voted runner-up. Shearer finished runner-up to Shay Given last year and to Middlesbrough's Juninho in the 1996/7 season. He is the seventh Magpie to win the award.

Shay Given came second in the poll.

"It's a tremendous honour for me and a special one because this is my own area," said Shearer.

"It has come from the writers and media from my own patch and I was beginning to think I had done something wrong to upset them.

"I have now been back home for seven years and to be honest, I have sat there at the annual dinner and watched other people pick up the award - all of them deserved winners, mind you.

"I was delighted when Shay won last year - even though after I had scored 25 goals I thought I had a chance myself of getting it.

"But seriously, he was tops for us last season and the season before and I was pleased he got his reward.

"I am already looking forward to the evening and as usual I will be a little nervous but genuinely very proud.

"It is a great honour for me to represent my home town club anyway and when I look at some of the names who have won the award before, it means a great deal to me."

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WELL DONE ALAN SHEARER!
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