Alan Shearer Despite Branfoot's claim to be "in the driving seat", "Saints" failed to include a "sell-on clause" in the contract. Shearer, less than a month off his 22nd birthday, was the most expensive player in British football. In his four years in the Southampton first team, Shearer made a total of 158 appearances in all competitions, scoring 43 goals. Despite making just one goalless appearance as England failed to progress past the Euro 1992 group stages, Shearer was soon subject to an English transfer record-breaking £3.6million bid from Blackburn Rovers. Although there was also interest from Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson,
1994–95 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season Banger controlled a box-to-box pass from Matt Le Tissier before firing home. A minute later Sutton had the chance to equalise, but this time headed wide from a Graeme Le Saux cross. Blackburn equalised in the second half when, in the 60th minute, Sutton headed the ball down to Alan Shearer who side-footed the ball past Bruce Grobbelaar. Blackburn recorded their first victory of the season just three days later at Ewood Park, running out 3-0 winners against Leicester City. Chris Sutton got the first goal and his first for his new club in the 19th minute when he headed