LIKE millions of youngsters, Alan Shearer grew up dreaming of turning out at Wembley in May and lifting the FA Cup.

But time is no longer on the side of the 33-year-old and his chances of finally fulfilling that dream can now be counted on one hand.

This evening, in front of the BBC cameras, Newcastle take their first step towards the 2004 Final, when they visit Southampton in the third round of the famous competition.

Reaching the last two is something familiar to Shearer. He was part of the Newcastle side which lost in successive years at Wembley in 1998 and 1999.

But the runners-up prize counts for very little in the Shearer household, and he insists he would exchange every piece of silverware he has ever won in his 16-year professional career just to be able to boast an FA Cup winners medal in his trophy cabinet.

Wembley Finals are currently on hold, but Shearer feels the Millenium Stadium would be able to make him feel just as special if he was to finally become an FA Cup winner.

"I would swap everything for a medal in this competition, I really would," said Shearer, who won the Premiership in 1995 with Blackburn Rovers and has Footballer of the Year awards and Golden Boots amongst his honours.

"I have obviously only won one thing in a team game and it's a team game we are in. But I have won a lot of individual awards and I really would swap the lot of them for an FA Cup medal. There's no doubt about that.

"That includes my championship medal. It was great at the time but I would swap that as well. I think it's just because I'm from up here and there is just that special memory about the competition.

"People might think I'm daft when they read the papers and I'm saying this but am I wrong? I don't think so."

The glitz and razzmatazz of the Champions League has helped diminish the glow of the FA Cup in many people's eyes.

But Newcastle supporters have a special bond with the world's most famous domestic knock-out competition, after winning it three times in five years during the 1950s.

And it is that which has made Shearer crave that elusive winners' medal even more as his career reaches its final chapter.

"I used to sit down and watch the full build up on the television from half nine in the morning," said Shearer. "I always used to think it would be great to play in an FA Cup final; I've played in two and they weren't great. Hopefully this year will be different.

"Everyone has an affinity with it up here and we have to make sure it remains that way. We are in it to win it.

"The two finals were non-events really. But the semi-finals were good memories. I don't think the competition has lost anything over the years.

"The roller-coaster ride starts here for us and come May hopefully it will be us in the final because it's a great ride to be on."

It was this weekend last year when another chance for Shearer to fulfill his dream ended for another 12 months.

A trip to Molineux should have been a hurdle the Newcastle stars overcame. Instead First Division Wolves shocked Sir Bobby Robson's men with a 3-2 win.

But Shearer insists Newcastle have learnt from their mistakes.

"You can accept going out of it if you are beaten by a scrap or a fight but that really was not the case last year at Wolves," said the former Saints striker.

"But what you can't accept is going out with a whimper. If we are going to be beaten on Saturday then we will be beaten by having a fight and a scrap and having a real good go.

"It's a huge, huge game for us. I might be wrong but I think our fans must be the only ones in the country who would prefer it if we won the FA Cup rather than the Premier League. That's how special it is to the people up here.

"You don't have to come from up here to know of the fans' passion for the FA Cup. There is a love affair with this competition up here.

"We have got a dreadful record at Southampton. I think we have not won there for something like 30 years but someone told me Blackburn only won once in 71 years prior to last weekend. Hopefully it's time for it to change our way."

Shearer could be up front today with Kieron Dyer after the midfielder shook off a stomach bug.

Centre-back Jonathan Woodgate is also in line for a recall after overcoming a hamstring injury.

But whatever side Robson selects he knows Newcastle must do everything within their powers to make progress.

"It's a tough draw for us and it's a tough draw for them," said the St. James' Park boss, who was told by chairman Freddy Shepherd this week that there must be a massive improvement in results.

"I certainly don't want a repeat of last season's exit at Wolves. We were very disappointed that day.

"We would love to win the FA Cup because there is something synonomous with Newcastle and the FA Cup. It's that extra special for all of us up here."

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