MATCHES
2022: Rovers 0-0 Millwall. The wheels continued to fall off the play-off mission in a dour Tuesday draw after the original February fixture was postponed due to snow.
2020: Derby County 3-0 Rovers. Another missed opportunity to enter the top six under Tony Mowbray. And when sub John Buckley received a late red card for reckless lunge, he would have been very surprised to end up with a four-month suspension from football – this was the last match before the Covid-19 lockdown.
2015: Liverpool 0-0 Rovers. A memorable Sunday afternoon for Gary Bowyer’s team and 6,000 Rovers supporters as an FA Cup quarter-final replay was earned at Anfield. Sadly, Philippe Coutinho ended the Wembley dream at Ewood a month later.
1995: Rovers 3-1 Arsenal. Another home win as Rovers strengthened their position at the top of the Premiership. Alan Shearer (2) and Graeme Le Saux scored the goals in this midweek clash.
1980: Colchester United 0-1 Rovers. This was part of Howard Kendall’s club record eight consecutive league wins, five of which had this same scoreline. Top scorer Andy Crawford grabbed the only goal in this match and Rovers went on to win promotion from the third tier.
1975: Southend United 2-2 Rovers. The legendary Gordon Lee led his team to the Third Division championship title in 1974/75. Stuart Metcalfe (pen) and Ken Beamish earned a point as just 5,031 watched on.
1958: Rovers 3-0 Grimsby Town. The start of nine wins from the last eleven league matches as Johnny Carey led Rovers to promotion. WHSmith was ready for business and scored the opener, while recent signing Tommy Johnston grabbed two goals.
1952: Rovers 3-1 Burnley. An East Lancashire derby in the FA Cup quarter-final which saw Division Two Rovers beat their top-tier rivals in front of 52,920. Rovers narrowly missed out on a Wembley visit to eventual winners Newcastle United in a semi-final replay.
1890: Rovers 1-0 Wolves. A narrow FA Cup semi-final victory at the Kennington Oval thanks to Jack Southworth. Rovers would go on to win a fourth FA Cup in a 6-1 final thrashing against The Wednesday.
BIRTHDAYS
Rekeem Harper, born 2000 (aged 25). Loaned from West Brom in the League One 2017/18 season and remembered for an FA Cup red card against Crewe. Now at Port Vale.
Radosav Petrović, born 1989 (aged 36). Serbian international disappointment from the 2011/12 relegation season. Still playing in Cyprus.
Johann Vogel, born 1977 (aged 48). Experienced Swiss international signed by Mark Hughes and later frozen out by both Paul Ince and Sam Allardyce. Only made eight appearances for Rovers.
