Shearer is ‘Bloody, bold and resolute’

27th October 2005. This is the day when the press and radio and television sports programmes should be full of praise for the Carling Cup exploits of Division 2 side Grimsby Town, which after a memorable victory over high flying Spurs were finally ended by a gritty performance from Newcastle United at Blundell Park.

But the tributes are tempered by the fall-out from a single incident in the first half, when an elbow from Mariners’ central defender Justin Whittle left Alan Shearer needing three stitches in a copiously bleeding lip wound, and feeling like revenge.

Fortunately for Whittle, Shearer is not only a fiercely combative player but a consummate professional, so he waited patiently for the opportunity to exact retribution in the best way possible – by scoring the winning goal.

It is a pity that Grimsby’s tremendous cup run should have been tarnished in this way. And it is disappointing that subsequently the club and its representatives should have sought to underplay the incident.

In the post-match interview, manager Russell Slade declined to comment, suggesting that “if anything did go on” it was “out of character” for Whittle, “who has an exquisite record at the level he has played at.”

As far as most unbiased observers were concerned (though regrettably, and inexplicably, not referee Mark Halsey) there was no ‘if’. Something did “go on” and it had an unmistakably pre-meditated look about it. So on the evidence of this game at least, “exquisite” is just about the last word that would be associated with any appraisal of Whittle.

Unfortunately more was to follow, in the form of a club statement which announced:

“Grimsby Town Football Club have reviewed last night’s clash between
Justin Whittle and Alan Shearer. We feel there was no deliberate intent
on behalf of Justin to catch Alan with his arm. The referee on the evening
was very close to the incident and no action was taken. We hope that this
does not overshadow what was a pulsating cup-tie between Grimsby Town
and Newcastle United.”

There is clearly much truth in this. Grimsby Town did play Newcastle United, it was a “pulsating cup-tie” and there was a “clash” which the referee was close to and “no action was taken”.

But don’t try telling Alan Shearer that there was no deliberate intent or that Whittle merely caught him with his arm, like someone brushing past an old lady in a shopping precinct. He feels he was “done” – and that he has the scars to prove it.