Is this guy Big Val's illicit son or something? My god, I thought it was a wind up at first when I looked at him!

I'm less worried by our start. Hull were poor last year and Norwich and West Brom have under achieved the last few years. Whilst bigger names in this division and historically they've challenged well thru haven't pulled up any trees the last couple of years. It's the finish that worries me. Can't see us getting much out of it and they're teams that likely will be around the top.

yes,we offer him a bag of revels,then claim we can`t compete with other clubs on the wages,wonder if there will come a time when we can`t compete with bamber bridge and chorley on the salary front

Ooh goody - another race. I think we all know what that means.

I thought Mike and Duncan especially where fantastic on this. It should be released as a podcast (via BRFCS? @Miller11 @Mike Graham) and used as an X Spaces pre-record for viewership.

How does that happen on day 3 of pre season though? I mean seriously.

I think I'll leave it there!

I have very happy memories of watching East Lancs in the fifties with my Dad. as you say, big crowds. First pro I remember was the Aussie leg-spinner Bruce Dooland. he was a class act and only available because he couldn't get in the Australian team with Ritchie Benaud around. Re the collection, for some spectators it was against their principles to chuck in for the pro on the basis that he was paid to play! Must have seen the entire 1960's West Indies team in the Lancs League. Great days, all gone now of course.

If true I’d say it’s feasible could be hamstring issue in the runs

Re read and come back to me…I said it was a more positive season than the one before

they don`t seem to schedule local derbies at christmas or easter anymore,i remember playing pne on a boxing day once (in a snowstorm!!!) and we always used to play bolton or burnley on the 28th

im`e not buying this sidnei injury,2 days into preseason you ar`nt going to be doing much hard work or intense match preparation,got to be somone creating mischief🙂

Ah OK-thanks. Without checking I would say it's very much the norm to get one home game on the 26th/27th or 29th/30th though.

Terrifying.. we may drop from 12th to 15th

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/june/26/ball-number-confirmed-for-today-s-carabao-cup-draw/ The First Round draw is at 4.30 today live on Sky Sports. Rovers are ball number 4 in the Northern Group.

The injuries today are different. When did we last lose a player with a broken leg ? It was a regular occurrence back in the day. You’d normally get one a season.

Two years ago, we played Huddersfield and Hull away 26th and 29th and played Rotherham at Ewood on 1st Jan.

if you think last season was a "huge success' your standards are too low, like Venkys. Fnished 7th, made a profit----job done! not to me.

Playing Brum at home, second game in, is a real banana skin - they'll be raring to go and have a big following. Edit: blimey that run-in is the thing of nightmares.

It is more or less non contact nowadays and a lot of prima Donna's playing it too..

I was thinking how much faster the game is today as I watched the latest bout of walking football with the ball being passed between the keeper, centre backs, fullbacks, into midfield, back to the keeper etc etc. Zzzzzzzz.

The first 4 fixtures look pretty rough to me. Don't fancy us against WBA/Birmingham/Norwich. Hull, it depends how well they take to their new manager I suppose. Edit: Dire fixtures over Christmas. Middlesbrough and Sheff Wed away. Have to wait until Jan 1st for a home game. I'm not sure if I can ever remember that happening before.

We are going to need snookers this season. The end is nigh! Venkys Out!

All games up to the end of September by 3rd July. All games selected up to FA Cup 4rd round weekend by 31st July.