• Neil Ruddock Couldn’t wait to Resume Rivalry Against Best Mate Alan Shearer
Liverpool’s new acquisition Neil Ruddock was eager to renew battle with Blackburn hitman Alan Shearer, having snuffed out his threat in their previous meeting. The pair were best friends during their time at Southampton and Shearer was, in fact, the Godfather of Ruddock’s 13-month-old Daughter Millie.
Neil Ruddock said “Alan and I were best mates at Southampton. We used to drink together, room together, play golf together and come in in the same car. When I joined Southampton, he was in the youth team, so I’ve seen him get better and better. I am not just saying that he’s my mate, I think anyone with a knowledge of football would say Alan is top of the list. I only played against him once last season and we won 2-0. It’s more of a challenge when you’re playing against a mate. I look to win against whoever I mark, and I’ll be doing my best to stop Alan from scoring.”
