Another 'old boy' from the famous Wallsend Boys Club, the North-Eastern institution that spawned so many professional footballers in the 1970's and 80's, Alan Shearer burst onto the big stage with a bang. Although he had made a few appearances in a red and white shirt as a substitute, when he made his full debut v Arsenal in April 1988, he scored a hat-trick. By doing so he beat Jimmy Greaves's record as the youngest ever player (17years 8months) to notch three in a Division One match. Such an achievement, on his full debut, gave an early indication just how predatory Alan would become. Initially however, his then manager, Chris Nicholl, preferred the softly-softly approach and eased Alan into the team rather like, in more recent times, David Moyes has nurtured another promising youngster, Everton's Wayne Rooney. In his next match Alan was substituted and then, a game later, dropped. Next season he only made 10 appearances, finding it hard to oust the likes of Danny and Rod Wallace, Matt Le Tissier and Paul Rideout from an exciting front line. He also failed to score, but that was because in those early days Nicholl preferred to play him wide where he used his strength and power to rampage past full-backs before crossing for others. The following season Alan featured 26 times in a more central role and, although he only notched 3 League goals, his focused determination and aggression became characteristic features of his play. In 1990-91 he became an automatic selection, not only in Southampton's forward line, but also a regular in the England U21's and the campaign finished with him being named Saints Player-of-the-Season. Summer, 1991, heralded a new manager, Ian Branfoot and a decline in Saints fortunes. The swashbuckling days were coming to an end, but Shearer continued to thrive, winning his full England cap v France at Wembley in February 1992 and marking the occasion with a goal. Saints fans were thrilled by this progress but it wasn't long before they had to say their goodbyes. Jack Walker's fortune was being put to good use at Ewood Park and Alan was needed as an integral cog in the side that was being built to win the Championship. Ian Branfoot was forced to sell but hindsight proved the £3.5m fee to be miserly as Alan went on to become the Premiership's most feared and prolific goalscorer. (Duncan Holley)