25 Years of the Football Foundation: Alan Shearer’s grassroots beginnings

Before the goals, the records and his Newcastle United legend status, Alan Shearer’s journey began on a grassroots pitch. To mark its 25th anniversary, the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation is celebrating the impact of its funding on grassroots pitches across the country, where the journeys of many England internationals and Premier League stars first began. Pictures from grassroots clubs across the country show players such as Jordan Pickford, Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright just starting out in the game.

Every football journey starts on a first pitch. For Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, that first pitch was at Wallsend Boys Club. We’re celebrating grassroots football across our social channels and would love to see where your journey began too. Share a photo of your first pitch with #FirstPitches.