Hixon ‘Running Around Like a Madman’

By Nick Raynor
February 17 2006

Micheal Bridges has revealed that Jack Hixon, who founded the talent of himself and Shearer, was going crazy when Shearer broke the record.

Bridges revealed how Hixon was really happy to see Bridges and Shearer play alongside each other for a short time, and when Shearer broke the record, he was going crazy, and also trying to find out if Bridges had scored for Carlisle.

 

Bridges said:

 

"I feel privileged to have worked with Alan," explained Bridges, who spent a three-month spell on loan at St James's Park towards the end of the 2003/04 campaign.

 

"I've never seen anyone work as hard or hit the target so often in training as Alan does. He used to take a few quid off me when we would do shooting practice on a Friday afternoon.

 

"Myself, Al and Michael Chopra would all have a tenner on it each week and, each week, we would come in to the dressing room to find him with his hand out, saying, `Easy money, easy money'. It showed me that the man has such high standards.

 

"I was delighted for Alan and Jack was on cloud nine to have been at St James's Park to see it," said Bridges. "He was running around like a madman trying to get the Carlisle result and find out if I had scored on the same afternoon. It made his night, Jack was delighted.

 

"I'm very close to Jack, I see him quite a bit and ring him a lot and he sends me cards religiously. I haven't got grandparents and I see Jack as a grandfather and a role model. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have gone to Sunderland and I wouldn't be playing football so I owe him everything.

 

"He's a legend and the stuff he remembers is amazing. He could tell you about every one of Alan's goals, whether they were left foot, right foot or headers, and he could tell you about all of mine as well. He's amazing."

 

"The only thing Al would like now is a bit of silverware before the end and he will be doing everything to win the FA Cup this season,"

 

"It would be tragic if it didn't happen because, if anyone deserves it, it's him for what he has done in football."