THE venue: St James' Park, Newcastle. The date: Sunday, May 16 - Newcastle v Blackburn Rovers and Alan Shearer scores the goals that end Rovers' Premiership tenure.

How ironic after last season, when the Rovers' fans were hoping that would be the event in reverse when Newcastle visited Ewood Park for the season's last game.

It probably will be sweet justice for Shearer who has had to endure a torrent of abuse whenever he has visited the club he served so well for four magnificent seasons.

When blame is apportioned for the Rovers' demise, the supporters must take their fair share.

When will the Blackburn public learn that to heap abuse against ex-Rovers does not do themselves or the club any favours, and does not endear them to current players at the club.

Ex-Liverpool players visiting Anfield (Stan Collymore apart), or ex-Manchester United stars visiting Old Trafford, usually get, at worse, a polite round of applause.

Not so Shearer, Le Saux, Batty, May and company.

Thankfully, Tim Sherwood will not be exposed to the Ewood Park hostility, for I don't think Spurs will be visiting Blackburn for quite some time.

If Sheffield Wednesday can score four, Liverpool three and Everton two when visiting Ewood, goodness knows what Manchester United might do tomorrow.

Here's hoping I am entirely wrong on all counts.

C WHITESIDE, Biggar Village, Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.