150th Anniversary kit/celebrations

[...]

24 minutes ago, rigger said:

Do you need any help ?

Yea. Bring alcohol. And lots of it. If the time machine doesn't work we can forget about everything else anyway 😆

[Herbie6590]

1 hour ago, Mattyblue said:

No Maltese cross! Poor effort.

Don’t you know a random website once said it was our badge briefly so is now the basis of all our AI generated comms (and will be on the anniversary shirt, of course).

It appears in photos… 

[wilsdenrover]

1 hour ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Happy Diwali?....aint no Happiness at Ewood Park.That Football Club you purport to own btw.

 

😠

Festival of Shites would be more apt.

[Mattyblue]

Like I said, briefly, it had long gone even by the end of the Victorian age. So, why has it become the crux of the whole AI generated comms campaign? I’ve seen far more Maltese crosses than red roses.

 

[rigger]

What makes a Maltese cross ?

 

 

Kick him in the bollocks.

[...]

58 minutes ago, Herbie6590 said:

It appears in photos… 

Wasn't that our earliest photo?

*also I'm a total sucker for location hunting. Looking at the buildings in the back ground does anyone have a clue where this may of been shot? Thanks 

Edited 4 hours ago by ...

[...]

11 minutes ago, ... said:

Wasn't that our earliest photo?

*also I'm a total sucker for location hunting. Looking at the buildings in the back ground does anyone have a clue where this may of been shot? Thanks 

Think I've located the two in the back ground. I know it's in East lancs cricket ground but wasn't sure which end

[...]

1 minute ago, ... said:

Think I've located the two in the back ground. I know it's in East lancs cricket ground but wasn't sure which end

And I have it just over this wall. Nice to see its the original wall still. 

[RevidgeBlue]

On 18/10/2025 at 19:54, Miller11 said:

150th Anniversary Working Group Wednesday 23rd April 2025

1. Brett Baker, Head of Football Administration, took us through possible pre-season friendlies
and those clubs we have been in touch with regarding our 150t Anniversary (Hibernian and
Birmingham also celebrating their 150th Anniversary)
Athletic Club unable to play this pre-season but could look at pre-season 2026.
Queens Park approached but possible dates too early for our pre-season schedule.
Brett would also be making a request to the English Football League (EFL) special
consideration for a home fixture on or close to the 5th November 2025 as possible.
It was proposed we should also contact SKY regarding their scheduling of games for the first half of the 25/26 season

2. Steve Waggott, CEO, had been in contact with Elliott Charles of Old Etonians with a view of staging a re-enactment of their FA Cup Final along with inviting Darwen F C to also be
involved in these games that we would be looking to stage in one of the International breaks during the 25/26 season (September, November or March)

3 . An official club letter had now been finalised with the view of sending to various governing bodies (FIFA, UEFA, FA, EFL) and possibly members of the Royal Family ( a copy of which was circulated to all attendees)
Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, is also working on a Royal Visit that
could include Blackburn Rovers.

4. Steve Waggott had approached the English FA to give permission for us to have a full size
replica trophy to commemorate us being the only club to win the competition over three
consecutive seasons in 1884, 1885 and 1886. We await further discussion with them on this

5. Just awaiting completing the final piece of the 150th Anniversary Book to enable it to got to print.

6. An 150th Anniversary Club video is nearing completion and the group will be updated once
final cut is done.

7. 150th Anniversary Web page / site is now under construction and the club will look to
finalise it come the end of the current season to enable events / projects to be posted and
promoted.

8. Anna Melia, Head of Marketing, highlighted the 150th logo now being used plus informed
the group that she had now sourced Commemorative Caps should they be required. The group felt i t would be beneficial to contact the Former Players Association to get their
thoughts on who should receive a cap should we proceed with this initiative.

9. Steve Waggott proposed that the Blackburn Rovers Community Trust be our nominated
charity for the 150" Anniversary year which was approved by all the group.

10. Nick Cooney and Mike Jackman advised the group that it had now been agreed with the club that the whole of the second floor of the Darwen End for the 150th Anniversary Exhibition. Work would commence as soon as possible on redecorating the rooms on the second floor with cabinets and design of rooms being discussed with external organisations. Discussions were on-going with the Heritage Lottery Fund for a smaller grant to facilitate certain parts of the larger unsuccessful bid.

11. Lynsey Talbot, Head of Operations, outlined the possible club events including a fireworks
display on or around 5 November, a Gala Dinner and a summer 2026 Music Festival. Lots of other planned / themed events will be developed once fixture lists are released. Other potential partners had come on board followng the call to arms at the recent Blackburn with Darwen Partnership Forum including BwD Children Services Department and The Exchange in Blackburn.

12. Yasir Sufi, Head of Commercial, updated the group on a 150thLimited Edition Kit and also possible mural on the Watson Ramsbottom building in Blackburn Centre using local artists.
Other sites were also being considered for further murals along with the need for consideration of appropriate 'Blue Plaques' locations.
Jamie Holman was also looking at a musical performance in the Blackburn End with a choir of all ages.
Darwen Terracotta had also stated an interest in being involved in the 150th Anniversary with
Wayne Wild being a good contact t o discuss further.
The use of LED Lighting of 150 being projected on to Ewood Park and other appropriate buildings would need to be discussed with the
Council.
13. Paul Salmon proposed reaching out with our club letter to the Royal Family to see if there would be an acceptance of either Prince George or Princess Charlotte becoming an Honorary Club President. He also thought that the unveiling of a new piece of artwork could be linked to a visit from FIFA to unveil whatever we thought would be appropriate for our 150 Anniversary. Darwen Terracotta was mentioned again as a possible partner to look at this proposal. A time tunnel around
Ewood Park was also suggested subject to funding.

14. Duncan Miller on re-engaging with supporters proposed Supporter Groups championing a player; flags with players and supporter group logos; introduce a limited printed matchday programme for the 25/26 season; develop a Fan Advisory Board (FAB) or Shadow Board

15. Steve Williams, representative of We Are The Rovers (WATR), informed the group that more military personnel had been found who had been former Rovers' players. He felt any exhibition should include a military section. He also said h e was available to help as and when required on heritage initiatives / projects.

16. Anna Melia highlighted the fact of having an inclusive approach on gathering ideas and opinions from younger supporters/ Junior Fans Forum especially around what the club and Town would look like in another 150 years.

17. The meeting ended in a general discussion around seeking appropriate sponsors for various elements of the initiatives being proposed.

Date of next meeting - During May

 

 

The follow up meeting to this was in July, not May. By that time Steve Waggott had left so no minutes were ever circulated but a number of the above ideas were completely taken off the table with no discussion. There has been no follow up meetings or even any email correspondence to the committee since.

So to summarise, at least 20 (very good) ideas there and we've ended up with a generic book, which I understand is part of a series rather than specific to Rovers,  and an ill advised kick about after the Derby game?

And not even a kit with a commemorative badge on it for this season.

Utterly Shameful

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

The buildings in the background are identical in the 1879 photo ...,good call!

Tbh I have no problem with the Maltese cross as a one off.

Were those players who had attended Malvern school afforded the right to wear the cross on their Shirt?

The all white Shirt is bolllox.

Edited 3 hours ago by SIMON GARNERS 194

[RevidgeBlue]

6 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

The buildings in the background are identical in the first photo ...,good call!

That team photo looks like it's been taken from within East Lancs Cricket Club with Dukes Brow in the background on the left.

I was led to understand from reading the history books that that the original ground was a bit further over somewhere where Leamington Rd is now.

[...]

@Herbie6590 Forum Christmas Do on location at East Lancs Cricket club?? Ticketed maybe put funds towards something

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Correct Rev...Rovers played at the Cricket ground until 1881 and then moved to Leamington St.

[...]

42 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

The buildings in the background are identical in the 1879 photo ...,good call!

Tbh I have no problem with the Maltese cross as a one off.

Were those players who had attended Malvern school afforded the right to wear the cross on their Shirt?

The all white Shirt is bolllox.

Have we an image of this all white shirt??

[Blue Greyhound]

Sorry I know this will of been posted already.

 

But are we getting another kit in novemeber? A special one that may have the original rovers badge instead of the red rose?

 

I'm looking forward to purchasing one of I've heard the rumour correctly? 

 

Thanks.

[RevidgeBlue]

 

Edited 2 hours ago by RevidgeBlue

[RevidgeBlue]

Ken Beamish's shirt from the last game of the 1974/75 Division 3 Championship season v Wrexham.

A commemorative shirt done properly as they say on the Yorkshire tea ads. If we could do it 50 years ago, why can't we do it now?

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Correct Rev...Rovers played at the Cricket ground until 1881 and then moved to Leamington St.

Difficult to picture where the Leamington St. ground would have been as it's very hilly round there. Somewhere by the site of Leamington Rd church at the bottom Id guess.

[...]

1 hour ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

The buildings in the background are identical in the 1879 photo ...,good call!

Tbh I have no problem with the Maltese cross as a one off.

Were those players who had attended Malvern school afforded the right to wear the cross on their Shirt?

The all white Shirt is bolllox.

Is everyone aware of a special house not far from East lancs cricket club? Bank House.

●Home of James Barlow,  one of the pioneers of Cesarean Section, 

●Home to the creator of Vimto, John Noel Nichols

●And Home to Sir Gilbert Houghton (yes that Houghton) from where there formed pivotal events of the English Civil War.

All of which are marked via Blue plaques and a nice purple one for the vimto chap

😆 im full of local stuff like this 

[...]

4 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Ken Beamish's shirt from the last game of the 1974/75 Division 3 Championship season v Wrexham.

A commemorative shirt done properly as they say on the Yorkshire tea ads. If we could do it 50 years ago, why can't we do it now?

Wow that's quite a piece even has the red centre on the umbro badge

[...]

3 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Difficult to picture where the Leamington St. ground would have been as it's very hilly round there. Somewhere by the site of Leamington Rd church at the bottom Id guess.

That would be correct somewhere around New Bank Road 

[RevidgeBlue]

Another picture from 1892/93 indicating we were playing in lighter halves than today with not a Maltese cross in sight

So since at least 1879 we've been playing in blue and white halves of some sort with no apparent  sign of a Maltese Cross since at least 1892.

Which genius came up with an idea for an all white commemorative strip with a Maltese Cross?

 

[Herbie6590]

1 hour ago, ... said:

@Herbie6590 Forum Christmas Do on location at East Lancs Cricket club?? Ticketed maybe put funds towards something

I am aware of attempts by some fans to try & arrange a commemorative live music event in Blackburn in 2026…

I've always fancied a “4000 Holes” live event but it needs a LOT of time & energy to arrange. Not ruling it out but I’m way too busy to devote the required energy right now. 
 

Remind me in 6 months 😉

[Herbie6590]

19 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Difficult to picture where the Leamington St. ground would have been as it's very hilly round there. Somewhere by the site of Leamington Rd church at the bottom Id guess.

We have a thread BTW 👍

 

 

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Rev,take a close look at the team pic from 1879 above (earliest known to exist) at Alexanda Meadows,front row on the right...player is sporting the Cross on his chest.

Btw,that picture I think was taken just inside where these Commemorative gates are..

https://eastlancscc.com/safeguarding/