Jack Hickson was one of the first people Alan Shearer alerted after he accepted the Newcastle United job yesterday.

Hickson, 87, is the man who discovered Shearer as a youngster playing in Newcastle's junior local leagues and said the 38-year-old had phoned him last night to tell him the news.

He has remained friends with the striker since taking him for a trial at Southampton and told the Evening Chronicle: "He said he just felt he had to give what he could for Newcastle United.

"He just wants to do it out of love for the club. That is the point. He's passionate for the club and he wants them out of the mire. If he keeps them up he will become a hero all over again. But it is not an ego trip for him - he is doing it out of love."