Alan Shearer Pays Tribute to His Late Father at Newcastle’s Carabao Cup Parade
In a heartfelt moment during Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup celebrations, club legend Alan Shearer expressed his deep emotions regarding the absence of his father, who passed away last year. The 54-year-old football icon became visibly emotional as he joined the throngs of fans celebrating the club’s monumental achievement.
Newcastle United clinched the Carabao Cup title on March 16, defeating Liverpool 2-1, marking their first domestic trophy in 70 years. The victory ignited a wave of jubilation across Tyneside, as over 150,000 supporters filled the streets to partake in a grand bus parade, showcasing their pride for the Toon Army.
Shearer, a proud Geordie and the club’s all-time leading scorer with 206 goals during his ten seasons, was honored as a special guest at the parade. With tears welling in his eyes, he reflected on the significance of the day, saying, “It’s unfortunate that my dad passed away last May. He was fortunate enough to witness the [Inter-Cities Fairs Cup] final back in ’69. I just wish he could have held on for one more year to experience this moment with us.”
His father, also named Alan, succumbed to cancer at the age of 80, a loss that weighed heavily on Shearer during the celebration. In a candid conversation on the podcast This Is Football, he shared more about the emotional day, stating, “Despite his absence, I know he would have been watching and would have felt immense pride for the club and the fans.”
Shearer went on to describe the experience of the parade as “one of the best weekends ever.” He expressed his gratitude for the event, mentioning how the atmosphere was electrifying, with hosts Pete Graves and Lindsay Hipgrave conducting interviews on stage while Ant and Dec entertained fans from the bus. “I got a bit emotional when one of them mentioned my dad. He always wanted to see Newcastle win a trophy, and while he wasn’t there, I hope he was watching from somewhere,” Shearer said.
Reflecting on the overwhelming turnout of fans, he remarked, “Walking out and seeing over 150,000 people in black and white shirts, all cheering my name, is a moment that will stay with me forever. It was truly incredible.”
Even the players and coaching staff were taken aback by the immense crowd. Manager Eddie Howe exclaimed, “Wow. This is just incredible.” He emphasized the club’s desire for continued success, stating, “We are hungry for more, but we need to stay grounded as we have ten crucial Premier League games ahead.”
As the celebrations continued, Shearer concluded with a passionate reminder of the hunger for more success, “The taste of victory certainly leaves you wanting more days like this.”