Alan Shearer Pulls on England shirt for Sir Bobby Robson

Press Release
For Immediate Use
Tuesday July 21 2009

Alan Shearer Pulls on England shirt for Sir Bobby Robson

• Shearer to Captain team at Sunday's England v Germany clash for The ‘Sir Bobby Robson Trophy’ at St James’ Park

With less than a week to go, preparations for the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy are stepping up a gear. With ticket sales already over 25,000 the latest announcement that Newcastle United’s greatest ever goal scorer - Alan Shearer is now playing, the match promises to be a sell out, and bring the good times back to the Toon for one night.

The Newcastle United legend joins fellow Newcastle and England stars Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley, Les Ferdinand, Peter Shilton, Des Walker, Teddy Sheringham, John Barnes, David Platt on Sir Bobby’s team sheet and is in no doubt how important this game is.

Alan says: “Sunday will be a great day and I’m looking forward to being part of it. It will be very special to play in front of a crowd at St James’ Park again. “Bobby really deserves this match after everything he’s done. I feel I owe him a personal debt. When he came in as Newcastle manager he got me enjoying football again and playing the way I can. He helped me when I needed it and I’m very happy to help him now. “There are men and there are real men. I think you know which he is. What he’s done, what he’s achieved and what he’s going through - he’s incredible. I think the charity is his greatest legacy. You can see what this means to him and how hungry he is for it to be a success, which without doubt it is. He’s very proud of it and so he should be. He’s going through a tough time but he doesn’t want people to feel sorry for him. He’s getting out there and wants to leave a legacy which people can use. His charity and what it’s achieved already is amazing. All through him. He’s a great man and deserves this special night. He’s an inspiration to everyone.”

The Sir Bobby Robson Trophy will pit the core of players from Sir Bobby’s Italia ’90 squad and additional football legends squad against a formidable German side captained by World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus.

The game will also feature a select number of high profile celebrities from music and entertainment and kicks off at 6.15pm at St James’ Park this Sunday (26th July). Before kick-off there will be a guard of honour giving an opportunity for fans to show appreciation to Sir Bobby both for his football and fund-raising achievements and a moving rendition of Nessun Dorma. Sir Bobby says: “I’m so very grateful to Alan for playing in my game on Sunday. It will be a real pleasure to watch him play again. He’s going to be playing alongside his old strike partners Ferdinand and Sheringham, - “The German defence will be getting more and more concerned won’t they? With Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Paul Gascoigne, Les Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham, John Barnes, David Platt – we’ve got plenty of goal scoring options with that line up! “He has a strong, competitive character and like Peter Beardsley I’ve no doubts he will be giving his all charity game or not. Les Ferdinand who had a prolific goalscoring record with Shearer at Newcastle says “I cant wait to be re-united with Alan up front – its going to be an amazing and emotional night for Sir Bobby and one that all the lads wouldn’t miss for anything. Shearer and Sir Bobby back at St James will raise the roof and bring back memories of the good times” .

Tickets for the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy are available via Newcastle United's Box Office 0844 372 1892 website www.nufc.co.uk or through www.ticketmaster.co.uk and cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. To make a donation, view messages of support, or for more information on The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton NE7 7QG. /ends/ Press contact: Ciaran Kennedy, Toast Events ciaran@toastevents.com

Gazza gets England recall

Sir Bobby Robson calls up Gazza to take play for his England team against Germany.

Paul Gascoigne is the newest player to sign up to take on the Germans in the ‘Sir Bobby Robson Trophy’. It will be a chance for Gascoigne, to once again play under his former manager and to get revenge for that famous 1990 World Cup defeat.

On 26th July at St. James’ Park, Newcastle, the former England manager is reuniting players who formed his 1990 World Cup squad – the side which famously came so close to reaching the final of the competition, only to be cruelly knocked out by West Germany on penalties. The match will see the nucleus of the famous 1990 team take on their bitter rivals from that monumental semi final loss, along with other players that have inspired in an England shirt over the years. In addition names from music, sport, TV and film are being called up to form a star packed England team.

Gazza says ‘I’ve always idolised Sir Bobby, he looked after me like a father. He’s supported me through tough times and it’ll be a privilege to play for him again.’

Sir Bobby says: "I picked Paul in 1990 because he had an amazing amount of talent. For me, he was easily the finest young player in the country at that time. "He was a brilliant attacking player and the stand out young talent to emerge from the World Cup that year.

“I’m thrilled that Paul is in shape and ready for my match he is the most naturally gifted player of his generation and it will be special to see him play once again, so that we can all watch him one more time. To see Gazza in an England shirt, alongside his team mates from 1990 is a great prospect and against that German team too.

Paul Gascoigne became a national treasure during that World Cup, setting up Platt’s wonder goal against the Belgians and showing the world his awesome potential. Sir Bobby adds “The thought of re-uniting Paul and many of my 1990 England squad for this match in support of my charity is a great pleasure to me and hopefully this time we’ll get the result we want against Germany!
Arguably Sir Bobby’s finest moment came as he led England to the semi-finals in Italy and this game will give him and his team an opportunity to redress the balance. Former defenders Des Walker and Paul Parker were the first two players to sign up as Sir Bobby builds from the back. Walker and Parker, both given their England debut’s by Robson will be reunited with their 1990 team mates for the first time. Now Robson has added flair and passion and the icon of the tournament in Paul Gascoigne.

Gazza says ‘Sir Bobby’s Italia ’90 team was fantastic, it was a team full of leaders and captains, we had Butcher, Mark Wright, Pearce, Platt, Walker and Shilts. Waddler was my room mate and closest pal, he and Beardsley had amazing skills and of course we had the finishing skills of Lineker up front. I’ve never felt so comfortable in a dressing room, the whole side was full of experience and confidence. The chance to reunite that 1990 team featuring all these England legends will be an amazing and emotional experience”.

In addition to reuniting the 1990 England players, Sir Bobby is also planning on calling on some other very special guests to add to his team. Gazza will line up alongside legendary England players and a select hand picked group of celebrities that Sir Bobby has invited to come and play, in this special one off England team. These will include world champions and stars from rock & pop music, TV and film. The German team will also feature some big surprise household names to add a bit of spice.

Gazza says –“ Steve Harris from Iron Maiden is a good friend and a really good footballer who keeps himself fit. He and Iron Maiden are one of the biggest rock bands in the world yet Steve still finds time to play in these matches, I love playing alongside him”.

“Gordon Ramsey can’t play in this game because he’s a Scot although I know he would love to take on the Germans. He’s a hard man and I have good banter with him through our Rangers connection. But we will be able to call on the likes of Ben Shepherd, Robbie Williams, Ant and Dec and Alec Stewart who both can all play a bit. And if Peter Shilton needs any help in goal I could ask Jimmy five bellies to be the keeper. He can block up the whole goal”!

Sir Bobby has always been close to Paul and is pleased to have him in his side, although he said “If his antics at the World Cup in Italy are anything to go by we can probably expect to see a few of his old tricks”.

Sir Bobby says of Paul: "Everybody liked him - even though he was daft and always playing practical jokes. I remember him following me around during press conferences and standing right behind me. He was a loveable guy and, despite his daftness, everyone appreciated his great talent on the pitch”"There's a commonly held belief that he was difficult to manage but he really wasn't very high maintenance at that time. He was very important to my squad."

Lester Holcombe from the event producers said ‘The ‘Sir Bobby Robson Trophy’ will see some of the biggest names from the world of football and stars from sport, music and film come out in support and in honour of one of sports true greats. Sir Bobby has worked with some of the biggest stars in the game and is revered the world over. All will be invited to attend or to play in a good old fashioned tear up between England and Germany – that greatest of rivalries”

Gazza says: “There is no way I would miss this game for Sir Bobby and the chance to reunite the lads from that great 1990 team. It will be an amazing and emotional experience”

Lester Holcombe added “this match gives us all an opportunity to stand up and applaud a true gentleman, a fighter and a genuine Legend. He has given us all so many thrills and we will never forget that semi final in 1990. Sir Bobby has now got another cause and he is pursuing that with the same passion and vigour with which he has faced all of his challenges’.

Gazza reflects on Italia 90: “Paul Parker had already told me to keep my head, not to do anything stupid. He’d been booked already and feared it could happen to me. It was a real rollercoaster of a night, my mind had started to think of winning the game and being in the final, it was a series of highs and lows”.

“I still watch the clips of the match on Youtube with the family. Whenever I hear Nessun Dorma it takes me back to that time and that song is full of memories. “At the end of the match, after losing in that way on penalties, I was crying but Bobby told me he was proud of me and what I’d achieved and that this was just the start for me….we had a great bond”

Press Release / Wednesday 13th April 2009

Story by Paul Gough - goffymedia@yahoo.co.uk

Tickets for the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy played between England and Germany are £10 for adults and £5 for children.

They can be purchased online now at http://www.nufc.co.uk/ and by calling 0844 372 1892 after 18th May when tickets go on general release.

Beardsley joins Gazza and Waddle for Sir Bobby England game

Sir Bobby Robson’s ‘little wizard’ Peter Beardsley has become the latest former England international to join the England squad that will take on Germany for The Sir Bobby Robson Trophy on Sunday July 26th at Newcastle’s St James’s Park.

Beardsley joins England internationals Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle, Des Walker, Peter Shilton, Paul Parker and Steve Hodge in Sir Bobby’s line-up to recreate the Italia ‘90 World Cup semi-final against Germany. Les Ferdinand and Robert Lee have also signed up for Sir Bobby’s cancer charity match.

On his addition to the England set-up, Beardsley commented: “Sir Bobby’s a superstar, we love and adore him and we’ll do anything we can to help him out. To have the three of us playing for Newcastle, that’s me, Gazza and Chris Waddle, and then playing in the same team at the World Cup is something I’ll never forget. The result in 1990 went against us, but to play in such a big game with other Geordie lads was incredible and it was all down to Sir Bobby. Just to be part of the World Cup was special and we all wanted to win it for Sir Bobby and the country, and we came close. We owe him a lot and will always support him.”

Beardsley won 59 caps for England, scoring nine times, and played for Newcastle 321 times hitting the net on 117 occasions.

Sir Bobby added: “I gave Peter his debut for England in 86. At the time I thought he'd be the perfect partner for Lineker up front. Peter was a very skilful and multi-talented player. He could beat a man and definitely had an eye for goal. These extra qualities made him a five star performer and that is what he truly was. I'm looking forward to seeing Peter back playing at St. James' Park, with Peter and Les up front, the German defence could be in trouble!”

Tickets for the match, at £10 for adults and £5 for children, are available from http://www.nufc.co.uk/ or 0844 372 1892.

Sir Bobby names ‘Sir’ Les for England v Germany re-match

Newcastle Legend ‘Sir’ Les Ferdinand has signed up to play in England v Germany in aid of The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation at St. James’ Park on Sunday July 26th.

Former Toon, Spurs, QPR and West Ham striker joins Paul Gascoigne, Peter Shilton, Paul Parker, Steve Hodge and Des Walker on Sir Bobby’s team sheet which will reunite members of his 1990 World Cup squad for a repeat of the famous Italia ’90 semi-final in which England were cruelly knocked out on penalties.

Sir Bobby’s side will also contain the somewhat fresher legs of players who have represented England more recently, with Ferdinand the first of this group to sign up.

Ferdinand said he remembered watching the 1990 semi-final and was honoured to be asked to take part in a recreation of the game:

“It was such a brilliant game of football. It will be great to see everyone. It’s always good to meet up with the guys because you miss the camaraderie of the changing rooms. It’ll be nice to get out there and have a good game. However, there will be 11 players on both teams wanting to win,”

he said.

On returning to the club where he scored 41 times in 68 appearances, Ferdinand added: “It was always a special occasion to play at St James’ Park and it’s always great to go back. Unfortunately they are not playing where they deserve to be now.”

Like other players who have signed up to play in the match, Ferdinand was quick to sing Sir Bobby’s praises.

“Sir Bobby has been a fantastic servant to football and we all know the difficulties he has faced in the last few years,” said Ferdinand. “Anything we can do to support his charity, we should do our best.”

Tickets for the match, at £10 for adults and £5 for children, are available from http://www.nufc.co.uk/