Reasons why the Alan Shearer Programme was appropriate
Reasons will be given to explain why Shearer’s programme was appropriate compared to a Panorama documentary.
Personal Engagement
As a former England striker, Shearer provided a personal connection to the dementia story. This added emotional depth and credibility for football fans. A more objective Panorama format, or Horizon-science type programme, may have been less interesting to football fans.
Audience Appeal
Shearer’s programme may have attracted football fans who do not, otherwise, watch documentaries. His programme may have reached different demographics and encouraged a broader conversation. There is evidence for this as the interview with John Terry is the most popular video on the Football-Heading-Dementia You Tube channel. Although the sight of John Terry, as a central defender, heading the ball away from a goal could have used in a Panorama programme.
Football Expertise
Shearer brought unique personal insight as a former professional player in contrast to a neutral journalist on Panorama.
Documentary Style
Personal journey formats can make complicated topics more accessible and relatable. This can increase viewer empathy and awareness among football fans who would be an important target audience for the programme.
Flexibility
Standalone documentaries have more creative freedom. They can focus on a particular story, in this case Shearer’s story, with engaging storytelling and varied pacing. In contrast Panorama can have a rigid structure, with a strict format, which may be off-putting to viewers who do not normally watch documentaries.
The Shearer Programme’s Schedule
Shearer’s programme avoided competition with other investigative stories (such as Panorama ones) thereby encouraging more focused viewer attention. Shearer’s programme can be seen as a ‘one off’. If the programme had been a Panorama one then it may have been seen as just one of a series.
Summary
The standalone Alan Shearer documentary delivered a personal and accessible view which potentially raised awareness among different (football related) audiences. The viewing figures could have been higher than for a Panorama programme given Panorama’s formal style.
However, a Panorama programme could have used its authoritative style together with some of Shearer’ insights. One of the best parts of Shearer’s programme was the interview with Chris Nicholl shown above. A Panorama programme could have used a Panorama journalist together with Alan Shearer for his football-related interviews.
LinkedIn articles on football, heading and dementia
Understanding the UK Debate on Football, Heading and Dementia using Five Different Groups, Published September 10, 2025
Alan Shearer’s 2017 Documentary on football, heading, and dementia should have been a Panorama documentary, Published September 4, 2025 (article above)
A List of Collisions and Head Injuries in UK Football with Conclusions Published September 3, 2025
Only legal action will settle the football, heading and dementia debate Published March 2024
Factors which could discourage soccer players from heading a football Published June 2022
Heading and Dementia: Football facing a ‘tipping point’ Published August 2021
Original website on football heading and dementia
Writing, from 2017, on Football, Heading and Dementia
Webpages on this website
Some reasons why the Alan Shearer Programme was appropriate.
The home page for this website is at risksafetyUK.
