BLACKBURN Rovers legend Alan Shearer is to have a major road opposite Ewood Park named after him.

The strip of carriageway, which is part of the Pennine Reach regeneration programme, stretches from outside the Fox and Hounds pub down to the new Aqueduct Road junction.

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The Match of the Day pundit, who scored 130 goals in 171 appearances for Rovers, said he was delighted to have Alan Shearer Way named in his honour.

He said: “I am honoured and flattered that Blackburn with Darwen Council has named the new road after me.

“My time playing for Rovers and also being part of the team that won the title was an incredibly happy period of my life and I will always look back fondly on the time and the people that made it so special.”

The former England forward will join other legends such as Jack Walker, Kenny Dalglish, Simon Garner, Dave Whelan, Colin Hendry, Tim Flowers and Bill Eckersley in having a road named after him near the home of Rovers.

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Councillor Phil Riley, regeneration boss, said the Premiership title win in 1994/95 was a very significant event in his lifetime and there was no doubt that Shearer, who played for Rovers for four seasons, should be recognised and remembered for the role he played in the squad.

He said: “Rovers’ title win was a great achievement and made people across the world took notice of the town. Personally, it was one of the highlights of my life.

“The scale of the achievement cannot be understated. Only four other clubs, all big city teams, have lifted the Premier League trophy, so for a small town team in East Lancashire to win the title was absolutely fantastic.

“Naming the road after Alan is a way of recognising him for being a key player in that team and reminding visitors to our borough of our links to him.”

Councillor Mohammed Khan, leader of the council, said: “I am pleased Alan has accepted. It was a key achievement for the club and was excellent for the town.

“It brought the community together. Rovers are a force for good in Blackburn and we work closely with them.”

Shearer scored 34 league goals during the historic 1994/95 title-winning season when Rovers snatched the trophy, then known as the Premiership, from holders Manchester United on the final day of the season.

Alan Myers, Rovers’ director of communications, said: “Alan Shearer is a name which is intrinsically connected to Blackburn Rovers and someone who both the club and town should celebrate for the part he played in the achievements of the mid-90s.

“It is therefore fitting that the stretch of road in question, so close to Ewood Park, is named in his honour.”