Gary Wilson has received the nod of approval he craved from childhood hero Alan Shearer after his dream Scottish Open victory.
Newcastle fanatic Wilson secured a huge breakthrough win by demolishing Leicester’s Joe O’Connor 9-2 in Sunday's showpiece final in Edinburgh. Wilson, 37, had knocked out the seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan earlier in the tournament en route to the final.
And the 37-year-old from Wallsend revelled in claiming the £80,000 top prize as he earned his first piece of silverware on a remarkable snooker journey that has included working as a taxi driver and in a frozen food factory.
Wilson is an ardent Newcastle supporter and is now flying high like the Magpies in the Premier League after the greatest day of his long professional career.
But his victory now tastes even sweeter after club legend Shearer responded to his wish. The 'Tyneside Terror' had requested a congratulatory message from his fellow Geordie in the aftermath of his win.
“It would be brilliant to get a ‘well done’ from Alan Shearer – he is a legend," Wilson had claimed. "He may not remember this but he took part in an exhibition along with Shay Given with me and a couple of other juniors."
And Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer, duly obliged on Tuesday, replying to a tweet: 'Well done Gary" with an emoji replicating his famous raised hand goal celebration.
Wilson will no doubt be thrilled with Shearer's response after writing his name in the history books by claiming the Stephen Hendry trophy. And he has already outlined his ambition to parade his new silverware around Newcastle's iconic stadium, St James' Park.
Mark Selby, John Higgins and Graeme Dott have all celebrated wins by showing off their trophies at Leicester, Celtic and Rangers respectively, and Wilson wants his own memorable moment at his beloved North East club.
“I would really love to show this trophy to the crowd at St James’ if that were possible – doing that has always been one of my dreams, but I had never won a title!" he said.
“I have seen other players do that at their football clubs, and we have such a good stadium and massive fan base that would be unbelievable, amazing. That would mean the world.
“I have never been in that position. I have been shown around the ground and the dressing rooms and stuff in the past, but that has always been in the back of my mind.
“So if there is anyone out listening there who could help make that happen…please do! With how well Newcastle are doing too…it’s going so well."
