Fans to the rescue ... Rotherham United supporters buy hot-shot Michael Smith an Alan Shearer jersey!

The top scorer would have received a Newcastle United jersey signed by his Magpies idol from Millers assistant boss Richie Barker had he hit 25 league and FA Cup goals this season.

He fell just short on 20, much to the relief of Barker who never wanted to let one of his prize possessions go.

Supporters have rallied round since Rotherham clinched a last-day promotion to the Championship at the weekend and have raised the money to buy the 30-year-old Geordie a signed, framed Shearer shirt from Halifax-based specialist memorabilia company FrameSmart who have given up any profit on the item.

Even Millers manager Paul Warne is making a donation.

Two supporters who don't want to be named hit on the idea and they then turned to fellow fan Kevin Johnson to do the organising.

"We all love Smudge," said Johnson who expects the jersey to arrive in the next two days. "He's been unbelievable since he joined us more than four years.

"He gives everything for us and we wanted to give him something back in return.

"Everyone knows how much Newcastle and Shearer mean to him."

Johnson is a friend of the family of another Tyneside Miller, Dan Barlaser, and attempts are being made to try to involve Shearer himself in the presentation of the jersey to Smith.

By this morning more than £600 had been pledged towards the near-£200 cost of the memento and the rest of the money will be donated to Rotherham Hospice.

Smith said: "I feel touched and humbled that the fans would do something like this for me. I've loved my time at the club and it's really pleasing to know my contribution is appreciated."

Barker's Shearer shirt was given to him by Newcastle after he'd captained Mansfield Town against the Toon legend in the FA Cup in 2006 and will remain safely on display at his family home in Brighton.