Alan Shearer delivered a touching tribute to his father as Newcastle celebrated a historic moment, ending a 70-year trophy drought.
The Newcastle icon joined a massive crowd of supporters for a celebratory bus parade on Saturday, marking the club`s recent Carabao Cup triumph.
Eddie Howe`s team defeated Liverpool 2-1 two weeks prior, securing their first domestic silverware in seven decades.
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Newcastle, welcoming their victorious team back to the city.
Shearer, a former Newcastle striker, was among the emotional crowd near St James` Park.
Growing up in Gosforth, a Newcastle suburb, the 54-year-old`s love for football was nurtured by his father, Alan.
Shearer`s father passed away last year at the age of 80 after battling cancer.
Alan Sr. was just 11 when Newcastle last achieved domestic trophy success in 1955.
Shearer mentioned his father`s presence at Newcastle`s previous trophy win before the Carabao Cup, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.
Speaking on stage, with tears in his eyes, Shearer shared, “Yes, sadly, my dad passed away last May.”
“He was fortunate enough to be at the 1969 final.”
“I just wish he could have waited one more year to experience this moment.”
“But he would have been watching and would have felt as proud as I did.”
Shearer admitted he shed tears at Wembley Stadium as Newcastle secured the win against Liverpool.
On the Rest is Football Podcast, he recounted, “I confess, I teared up a bit when the final whistle blew, thinking of my father.”
“I just wish he had been there yesterday. But he was certainly watching from above.”
“Even in his final days, he spoke about Newcastle, hoping for their success and trophy win.”
Shearer had previously written about his father`s profound impact in a heartfelt article last year.
In The Athletic, he wrote, “Without my dad, a part of me feels lost and adrift, and I hope you understand.”
“Without being overly sentimental, perhaps you might think of him when the Match of the Day theme song plays this weekend.”
“I know I will. And, if it feels right and appropriate, remember your own family too.”
“I`ll be in the BBC studios in Salford this weekend, and I honestly can’t say how I`ll feel when that iconic tune starts, but I know it will be difficult – very difficult.”
