Sportingo writer Chris Goldsmith relives a football classic he had the pleasure of watching as a 12-year-old. And that man Alan Shearer played quite a part of it...
'Shearer scored a hat-trick and made a couple more. He was outstanding and the crowds continued to shout ''Shearer, Shearer'' all the way home'
Back in the 1992-93 season we saw the Premier League replace the old Division One - which in turn became English football's second-highest league.
In those days Manchester United were top of the league, but the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal where just ordinary teams compared to recent years. Teams such as Aston Villa, Norwich and Blackburn were the nearest title challengers, while Liverpool finished eighth, Aresenal 10th and Chelsea 13th. What a difference 15 years makes!
It was on October 3, 1992 that Blackburn, playing one of their first matches since gaining promotion to the top flight, faced a Norwich side who where perrforming better than expected. It was unusually one of the top fixtures on the weekend.
Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish had been given money to spend by owner Jack Walker - and spend he did. The likes of Alan Shearer, Stuart Ripley, Kevin Gallacher and Graeme Le Saux where bought during the season, and Mike Newell returned from injury to lead the attack with new record signing Shearer from Southampton.
I was only 12 and back in March my dad had bought me a season ticket for the first time as a birthday present. And what a present it was. The stadium had been altered to make it good enough for the Premiership and the crowds, unlike now, were chanting and singing throughout for their heroes.
There was an air of expectation at Ewood Park and most if not every seat was taken. Walking down Livesey Branch Road as a youngster on the way to the football was a great feeling, I knew I was going to see my heroes on the pitch. I was lost in the crowds of people but my seat was proudly in the Blackburn End where the most noise was. Tina Turner's 'Simply the Best' played on the tannoy and the teams came out to an ovation from the stands. It was electric! What a team and what a difference from Second Division football.
In Blackburn the crowd talk to each other. It's a northern thing, everyone is really friendly and no one is posh. It's great to have some banter with each other, build up the noise in the crowd and then unleash the first song of the day. ''Going down the Bolton Road...'' Brilliant.
I had no idea what was in store. Norwich where doing well in the league and had some good players. Blackburn had also started their campaign well, but I didn't expect a scoreline like the one that ensued.
Rovers were dominant to say the least. Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox continually produced telling crosses to shake the Norwich defence on more than one occasion. The perfect Shearer was a menace all afternoon, running the Canaries defenders ragged and unleashing powerful shots and headers.
Keeper Bobby Mimms had an easy time at the other end as Colin Hendry, Jeff Kenna and their fellow defendrers spent most of the afternoon as spectators to the brilliance of Blackburn's attacking players.
Shearer scored a hat-trick and made a couple more. He was outstanding and the crowds continued to shout 'Shearer, Shearer' all the way home. Blackburn had become a force to be reckoned with and had shown the top sides that they could play some magical football.
Although Rovers failed to win the Premiership that season, the match to me was far more enjoyable than any other I have watched my team play - even when won the league title in 1994-95.
It was so unexpected. Blackburn, a little developing, newly-promoted team anihilating their opponents. I don't think even the players could believe it. Tim Sherwood and company where brilliant - and so was the whole match.
How do Chris's memories of his greatest game compare with your own? Sportingo would love to hear your views, either in the comments box, or in an article if you prefer.