Shearer's guilt over Magpies exit ... but friendship will always survive

Former Magpies player and physio turned author Paul Ferris explores his relationship with Alan Shearer in his latest book Once Upon A Toon. Chief Newcastle United writer Lee Ryder catches up with the pair

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ALAN Shearer admits he felt "very, very guilty" after effectively cutting the law career of one of his most trusted allies short.

The legendary No 9 says that amid all the pandemonium and hype of his record-breaking £15m move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle in 1996, he barely knew anybody other than Rob Lee in the Toon dressing room.

It's a void that was filled by former physio and criminal barrister Paul Ferris, whose relationship with Shearer is explored in the brilliant must-read new book Once Upon A Toon.

It says it all that when Ferris, who broke on to the scene at St James' Park as a raw youngster from North-ern Ireland in a career cruelly cut short by injury, sent Shearer the transcript of his third book, the 206-goal United star said it all read fine, then didn't read it!

We're standing in the reception area of the Live Theatre on the New-castle Quayside on Broad Chare. Just along the river, the Tyne Bridge is being coated with new green paint hailed by city council chiefs for its durability.

The same could be said for Shearer and Ferris' friendship because it has now stood the test of time but, as the ex-England skipper confesses, there have been moments which have pressurised without causing damage to the relationship.

The truth is the duo have stood through all weathers and remain tight, even if they don't see each other every day now.

Shearer, Ferris and Sir Bobby Robson's former assistant John Carver are stood enjoying an end-of-season moment and a well-deserved drink together.

Shearer has just completed another season as the country's leading pundit on radio and TV, Carver has just kept Lechia Gdansk in the Polish top flight and Ferris has just finished his latest book.

Things could have been different for everybody in the room but it seems to have worked out rather well.