Soccer: Alan Shearer in town this week

Alan Shearer in action for England in this file photo. Picture / Reuters

One of England's finest ever soccer players, Alan Shearer, is in Auckland for a two-day visit this week.

Shearer played for Southhampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United during a stellar Premiership career, in which the gifted striker scored 283 goals.

He's also been a regular for the England national side in European and World Cup campaigns over the last decade, captaining the side on several occasions.

His knack for being in the right place at the right time to slot home goals, and his prolific accuracy from the penalty spot, gave him a deserved reputation as a goal-scoring machine.

He was awarded the OBE for 'services to football' in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 2001.

Shearer has been in Australia doing clinics and interviews the last couple of days. While there, he expressed an admiration for some of the Socceroos' top players.

"There's a lot of Australian players in the Premier league, good players. I'm a fan of Tim Cahill, he gets in the right place at the right time, has great timing," he told The Australian newspaper.

He also remarked that Craig Moore was making a positive impact in shoring up the defence at his own Newcastle United club.

Shearer went on to say that the Australian national side, who reached the World Cup in Germany earlier this year, were a team at the crossroads:

"It's a big moment for Australian soccer, to either continue at the level they're at or go on," he said.

"I hope it's big, it's always difficult to compete with the so-called bigger nations, but they have an opportunity now."

In Melbourne on the weekend, the soccer superstar attended the AFL grand final at the MCG. While admitting he was bemused by the sport itself, he was impressed by the sporting spectacle.

"I thought it was great, a great atmosphere, a great stadium," he said in The Australian.

"I found it strange that you still get a point for missing the target.

"I might have had a few more goals in my career, if that was the case in soccer."

Radio host and unabashed soccer fanatic Martin Devlin will be hosting the gala dinner for Shearer tomorrow night at Eden Park - ironically, Auckland's home of rugby.

ALAN SHEARER'S AUCKLAND VISIT:

Wednesday October 4:

Press Conference and Coaching Clinic
Glenfield Rovers AFC
Sunnybrae Rd
Glenfield
From 10.00am

Gala Dinner - "An interview with Alan Shearer"
ASB Lounge, Eden Park Function Centre
From 7.30pm

Thursday October 5:

Autograph signing
Rebel Sport
Panmure
10.30-11.15am