JUBILANT Newcastle owner Sir John Hall yesterday set his sights on Creating a 60,000 seater home for Alan Shearer and Company. And the United chief hit back at criticism over the world record £15 million transfer Ice his club splashed out to bring Geordie striker Shearer home to the north east.
Hall told listeners to Newcastle Clubcall - a telephone service for supporters - that finishing second best would be no use in the season ahead as he vowed Kevin Keegan's men would deliver the Premiership title.
Tyneside was still in dreamland yesterday as fans snapped up newly available season tickets at £1,500 a time and sports shops dealt with a flood of interest in shirts bearing the immortal word - Shearer, and the immortal number - 9.
Adding comfort to the joy being expressed by the Toon Army at the Shearer snatch was the news that Keegan insists Les Ferdinand is not for sale.
Keegan wants Ferdinand, reputedly a target for Arsenal, to play alongside Shearer in a double spearhead that will strike terror into the hearts of defenders.
Hitting back at criticism of the £15 million fee, Hall aid: "The situation over the fee is that is what the marketplace is. English football is becoming the most exciting in Europe. It is great news for the game in Britain".
Newcastle have already voiced hopes of a move from St James' Park, where they have 10,000 fans on the waiting list for season tickets. "That was before Shearer signed, so you can probably double the figure," said Hall.
"If you are an ambitious club, then 36,000 is just not enough, we must cater for a new generation of fans and are working very hard off the park on these things.
"I think the figure of 60,000 would be realistic for a new stadium. If we got that for every match it would be tremendous."
The United owner is thrilled at the prospect of Shearer and Ferdinand teaming up together in black and white, even though former England boss Terry Venables kept them apart at Euro 96.
I don't know why Terry didn't play them as a pair, but I am certain Kevin will play them," predicted Hall.
"I'm sure they will get goals and I am sure we will win the Premiership. There is no sense in being second best. It is only a matter of time now before we win some silverware."
Keegan, speaking from the Far East where Newcastle are on tour, said: "Alan will be joining us here and I must stress I have signed him to play alongside Les Ferdinand in a partnership I am convinced will be the most potent strikeforce anywhere. I see the signing of Alan Shearer as just reward for our fans. Like everyone else I am ecstatic with this signing.
"I think it shows our ambition. Now we have signed the best for the best and it is lovely to see a Geordie come back home."
Shearer arrived in Singapore yesterday to link up with his new team mates and looked relaxed as he waited for his baggage at Singapore's Changi airport.
He signed an autograph for an airport policeman who recognised him and chatted with other passengers.
But Shearer was reluctant to talk when, surrounded by policemen, he emerged from the customs area to be met by a throng of reporters, television camera crews and photographers.
Asked if we was happy to be playing for his hometown club, he replied: "I am. I'm delighted, thank you."
He was tight lipped thereafter, except to say he would talk to the media next week.
Newcastle director Russell Jones, who was travelling with Shearer, said the England striker would be presented to the Newcastle public next Tuesday at St James' Park. "Everything will be discussed then," he said.
Asked if Shearer would make his debut for Newcastle when they play a friendly against a league all stars team in Singapore on Thursday, Jones replied: "Mr Keegan will make that decision."
But another club official, when asked the same question, replied: "You must be joking," before the player was driven off in a white Mercedes.
Meanwhile, the British Labour party last night called for Blackburn Rovers to "show a degree of flexibility" over exchanging football shirts bought by youngsters prior to the £15 million transfer of Alan Shearer.
Fans are returning shirts after the striker's departure for Newcastle and shadow consumer affairs minister Nigel Griffiths said: "Blackburn Rovers are insisting that to qualify for an exchange, supporters must have bought the shirt from the club shop, and must have a receipt to prove that. But how many kids are likely to safely file away the receipt for a football shirt?
