Former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer, now an expert analyst on Match of the Day, visited Hartlepool United's Victoria Park yesterday to open the club's new Centenary Suite.

The suite has been open since Boxing Day last year. But Shearer was chosen to officially cut the ribbon because of the historical links between Pools and the Magpies.

Pools' first ever match at Victoria Ground, as it was known then, was against Newcastle United.

The match – which took place on September 2, 1908 – was the first game after a group of Hartlepool men met in a hotel and decided to form the club.

A painting of Shearer, which was produced by the appropriately-named Mark Scorer, is sandwiched between two pictures of the Hartlepool and Newcastle 1908 teams.

Shearer – who scored 30 goals in 63 games for England – was joined by famous football scout Jack Hixon, who commissioned the painting, at the purpose-built suite under the Cyril Knowles stand.

Club chairman Ken Hodcroft presented Shearer with a glass ball to commemorate his efforts for charity, including his recent bike ride for
Sport Relief.

Shearer, who spent almost an hour posing for photographs and signing autographs for the invited audience, said: "I didn't realise the historical links between the two clubs until Ken Hodcroft mentioned it.

"The people at the club have obviously been doing their research and I was delighted to be asked here.

"It is a big year for the club with it being the centenary season and while nobody can say how they will do, I'm sure the experience from last season will stand them in good stead.

"I follow all the clubs in the North-East, but I have probably been to Hartlepool more than most, with the exception of St James' Park, because Jack Hixon does a lot of scouting down here.

"It is great to be asked to unveil the painting and the suite and I always get a good reception here.

"It is a lovely club that does a lot for the community and I hope they do well next season for the fans more than anything."

The Centenary Suite is an extension of the club's match day corporate entertainment and will also be used for functions throughout the centenary season.