Michael Owen’s autobiography BANNED from being sold at Newcastle book shop after attack on Alan Shearer and Toon Army

Posted Friday, September 06, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

A LEGENDARY Newcastle book shop has broken with its own tradition by refusing to stock Michael Owen’s autobiography.

The Back Page, which is located just a stone’s throw away from St James’ Park, is one of the world’s largest sports book sellers.

The Back Page in Newcastle has banned Michael Owen's book

The autobiography has been banned at the shop after Owen's spat with Shearer

But they have banned Owen’s memoirs - Michael Owen: Reboot - My Life, My Time - from their shop, after the ex-Newcastle striker attacked the Toon Army and club legend Alan Shearer.

They tweeted: “The Back Page Newcastle, which celebrates its 16th birthday in November, would like to announce that, after stocking every football book published, it will not be selling Michael Owen’s latest book.

“This is the first book we have ever totally refused to stock.”

The incredible spat between the two former England stars - and then-close friends - ignited earlier this week.

The pair traded insults on Twitter - bringing their simmering differences into the public domain.

"MONEY GRABBER"

Owen - called a "money grabber" by ex-Toon ace Joe Allon - described his 2005, then-club-record £15million move as "one of the major regrets" of his career.

The ex-Liverpool forward's last season for Newcastle was a disaster for both player and club and sparked the initial fallout with Toon legend Shearer.

Needing a point against Villa on the final day, Owen - called "selfish" by Michael Bridges - suggests Shearer questioned his professionalism to keep Newcastle in the top flight.

He added: "I told him that I wasn’t fully fit but was prepared to play. As I left his office that day, he made an insinuation that led me to believe he thought I had half an eye on my next contract.

"I’m not stupid – we both knew I was out of contract in a few weeks.

Michael Owen’s autobiography BANNED from being sold at Newcastle book shop after attack on Alan Shearer and Toon Army

Owen and Shearer have exchanged barbs all week amidst the row

"It wasn’t until three months later, I discovered that Alan Shearer was apparently seething with me.

"Not only that, it transpired that he was telling anyone who’d listen what he thought of me."

Shearer responded to the claims on Twitter by posting a clip of Owen on BT Sport.

In the short video Owen reveals: "All I did at the end of my career, the last six or seven years, I hated it. I couldn't wait to retire for most of it."

Shearer captioned the video: "Yes Michael, we thought that also, whilst on £120k a week..."

Owen then hit back, tweeting: "Not sure you are as loyal to Newcastle as you make out mate.

"I distinctly remember you being inches away from signing for Liverpool after Sir Bobby Robson put you on the bench. You tried everything to get out."

Owen's book also aimed fire at "f***ing" Toon supporters for their lack of sympathy when he was stretchered off in a game against Watford in 2007.

The row has rumbled on ever since - but the latest revelation from a famous local book shop says all you need to know about where the Toon faithful's allegiance lies...