onto the pitch at the old Wembley Stadium. In the 1994-95 season, Rovers won the Premiership title with Manchester United finishing runners up. In the summer of 1996 Alan Shearer was top goalscorer at Euro 96 and was linked to domestic and international clubs. The main talk in the national media was of Shearer joining hated rivals Manchester United. Jack Walker and the Lancashire Telegraph constantly dismissed rumours of Shearer joining Manchester United. Local journalist Peter White stated that the club should never be forgiven should Shearer be allowed to join Manchester United. "Rovers should never be forgiven for allowing that to happen. They know they would never be forgiven if they let Shearer go to the club the Rovers fans love to hate. Fans might just live with a move to Barcelona or Milan but not to 'that lot.'" Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expressed anger over his failure to sign Alan Shearer from Blackburn Rovers. Ferguson stated "I had a gut feeling that it wouldn't happen simply because Jack Walker hates Manchester United." Martin Edwards also confirmed Ferguson's attempt to sign Shearer had been blocked by Rovers. Ultimately Shearer moved to Newcastle United. In 2017 Edwards once again confirmed Walker's refusal to sell. John Hall also stated that Walker did not want to sell to Manchester United. Personal life and death Away from Walkersteel and Blackburn Rovers, Walker invested in property development in and around Blackburn. He sponsored First Tower United, and Jersey Rugby Club after moving to St Helier in 1974. Walker's primary motto in life and most famous quote was "think big". On 17 August 2000, Walker died at 71 from cancer. Legacy Before his death, Walker had put in place a family trust structure to own his various business interests, including the club. Blackburn Rovers were sold by the Jack Walker settlement in November 2010 to Venky's. In September 2001, the Jack Walker Memorial garden was unveiled at the Blackburn End of Ewood Park. Standing in the middle is a statue of Walker. A road near Ewood Park was named "Jack Walker Way" in his honour. In 2011 former Rovers player Fred Pickering spoke highly of Walker but criticised relatives. "The big shame is what his family have done since (Walker's death), because they haven’t given the club much for the last six years or so." Also speaking in 2011 Tony Parkes attacked the Jack