POLL: The Ultimate 150 Rovers List - Part 1/9: The Foundation Years 1875-1900

[rog of the rovers]

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List

Part One: The Foundation Years - 1875-1900

Poll runs from - 15th October to 22nd October.

 

Some additional notes

John Lewis - Club Founder.

Arthur Constantine - Club Founder.

Walter Duckworth - First Club Secretary.

Thomas Greenwood - First Club Captain.

Joe Lofthouse - 4 x FA Cup Winner - 7 England Caps - Blackburn born forward who would enjoy huge success at the club.

Hugh McIntyre - 3 x FA Cup Winner - Captain of the cup winners in 1883/84. McIntyre would also play in the two Rovers final victories that followed in 1884/85 and 1885/86. A fine defender who also kept wicket for Lancashire CCC. Would retire to become a successful hotelier in 1886.

Joe Sowerbutts - 3x FA Cup Winner - Career strangely halted by professionalism which forced him out of the club. Born on Shear Brow he would later become an insurance clerk in the town. Remained a fan until his death.

Fergus (Fergie Suter) - 3x FA Cup Winner - subject of 'The English Game' on Netflix.

Jimmy Brown - 3x FA Cup Winner - First hat-trick goalscorer in Rovers history and two time FA Cup winning captain.

John (Jack) Barton - 2x FA Cup Winner - 1 England Cap - Quoted as 'played a great game' in the 1890  Cup final. His medal is on display in the foyer at Ewood Park

Herbie Arthur - 4x FA Cup Winner - 7 England Caps - Blackburn born goalkeeper, a successful businessman after his career ended.

Jimmy Douglas - 3x FA Cup Winner - 1 Scotland Cap - Played in 4 out 5 FA Cup Finals in a row for Rovers, missed out on selection for the 1891 Final.

Nat Walton - 3x FA Cup Winner - 1 England Cap - Overlooked for the 1884 and 1885 Cup Finals, Walton finally got his chance to shine in the 1886 Cup Replay where Rovers defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0. Walton claimed his second and third winners medals in the 1890 and 1891 finals.

Jack Southworth - 2x FA Cup Winner - 3 England caps. Retired to become a member of the Pier Pavilion Orchestra in Llandudno. A goal every 0.92 games for the prolific striker.

William 'Billy' Townley - 2x FA Cup Winner - 2 England Caps. Only Townley and Ian Rush have scored in more than 4 FA Cup Finals. A fine playing career was followed by a hugely impactful coaching career which took Townley to Germany with Bayern Munich, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

John Forbes - 2x FA Cup Winner - 5 Scotland Caps - Rapid defender won back to back FA Cup Finals with Rovers in 1890 and 1891.

Jimmy Forrest - 5x FA Cup Winner - 11 England Caps. Winner of five F.A. Cup winning medals equaling the record set by Lord Kinnaird (also of 'The English Game'). Went onto become a club director in his later years.

Thomas Mitchell - Secretary (effectively the manager) of back to back FA Cup wins in 1889/90 and 1890/91.

George Dewar - 2x FA Cup Winner - 7 Scotland Caps - Gave up his international ambitions to move down to Blackburn (players outside of Scotland weren't picked for international duty) but rewarded with medals.

Harry Chippendale - 1 England Cap - Blackburn born winger also worked at Hornby's Brookhouse Cotton Mill in the town where he eventually became manager. Known for his speed and crossing abilities.

George 'Geordie' Anderson - Inspirational centre half and captain would make 200 appearances for the club in the late 20th Century. 

Tom Brandon - FA Cup Winner in 1891. Brandon was the first Rovers player to represent Scotland whilst playing for the club. Made a total of 245 League appearances in Blue and White.

 

[rog of the rovers]

For clarity and frames of reference this project started in the summer.

Thanks to The Lancashire (Evening) Telegraph, BBC.

The Books of Mike Jackman and Harry Berry.

The FA and Scottish FA websites, Spartacus Eductaional, England Football Online.

The National Football Museum and others who have added personal oral histories.

I'd also heartily recommend and thank the Staff and volunteers at Blackburn Library and in particular their website http://www.cottontown.org 

Under the guidance of Mike Sumner they Break down and add more detail to the nominees and other figures of each era from 1880s-1990s. Huge thanks to Mike.

https://www.cottontown.org/Culture and Leisure/Sport/Pages/Blackburn-Rovers-Players-1880s-to-1990s.aspx

Edited October 15 by rog of the rovers

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Surely every single one of them deserves recognition.🤔

[rog of the rovers]

26 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Surely every single one of them deserves recognition.🤔

Naturally, but we're trying to come up with a definitive 150 names.

 

[Bronzed A Donis]

I remember reading the story of Herbie Arthur in the snowstorm game against Burnley when I was about 6 and it captured my imagination. To date it's still one of my favourite stories. For those that aren't aware, I've included it below.

"Burnley was the scene on December 12th, 1891, of an incident with which Arthur's name will ever be associated. Sir Charles Clegg, now the president of the Football Association, was the referee, and in a blinding snowstorm Burnley led at half-time by three goals. The second half had not been long in progress when two players, between whom there had been earlier friction, squared up again. Both men received marching orders. The whole of the Rovers team, with the exception of Arthur, followed to the dressing-room, and could not be persuaded to return. Thereupon, Mr. Clegg, as he then was, directed Burnley to recommence the game―with 'Herby' Arthur against ten men. In this predicament the goalkeeper successfully claimed for offside, and rallied so long in taking the free kick that the referee applied the closure."

[rog of the rovers]

Delighted with the early response and voting.

Hopefully the names are bringing back some old stories or even introducing you to new ones. A favourite of mine during my research was of Jack Southworth from an Everton website.

The Original Maestro in more ways than one! https://efcheritagesociety.com/maestro-the-jack-southworth-story/

With Les Graham (who some may remember?) in 1950. Jack made a return to Ewood after a ten year absence due to disagreements with the committee. 

Edited October 16 by rog of the rovers

[...]

On 13/10/2025 at 17:08, rog of the rovers said:

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List

Part One: The Foundation Years - 1875-1900

Poll runs from - 15th October to 22nd October.

 

Some additional notes

John Lewis - Club Founder.

Arthur Constantine - Club Founder.

Walter Duckworth - First Club Secretary.

Thomas Greenwood - First Club Captain.

Joe Lofthouse - 4 x FA Cup Winner - 7 England Caps - Blackburn born forward who would enjoy huge success at the club.

Hugh McIntyre - 3 x FA Cup Winner - Captain of the cup winners in 1883/84. McIntyre would also play in the two Rovers final victories that followed in 1884/85 and 1885/86. A fine defender who also kept wicket for Lancashire CCC. Would retire to become a successful hotelier in 1886.

Joe Sowerbutts - 3x FA Cup Winner - Career strangely halted by professionalism which forced him out of the club. Born on Shear Brow he would later become an insurance clerk in the town. Remained a fan until his death.

Fergus (Fergie Suter) - 3x FA Cup Winner - subject of 'The English Game' on Netflix.

Jimmy Brown - 3x FA Cup Winner - First hat-trick goalscorer in Rovers history and two time FA Cup winning captain.

John (Jack) Barton - 2x FA Cup Winner - 1 England Cap - Quoted as 'played a great game' in the 1890  Cup final. His medal is on display in the foyer at Ewood Park

Herbie Arthur - 4x FA Cup Winner - 7 England Caps - Blackburn born goalkeeper, a successful businessman after his career ended.

Jimmy Douglas - 3x FA Cup Winner - 1 Scotland Cap - Played in 4 out 5 FA Cup Finals in a row for Rovers, missed out on selection for the 1891 Final.

Nat Walton - 3x FA Cup Winner - 1 England Cap - Overlooked for the 1884 and 1885 Cup Finals, Walton finally got his chance to shine in the 1886 Cup Replay where Rovers defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0. Walton claimed his second and third winners medals in the 1890 and 1891 finals.

Jack Southworth - 2x FA Cup Winner - 3 England caps. Retired to become a member of the Pier Pavilion Orchestra in Llandudno. A goal every 0.92 games for the prolific striker.

William 'Billy' Townley - 2x FA Cup Winner - 2 England Caps. Only Townley and Ian Rush have scored in more than 4 FA Cup Finals. A fine playing career was followed by a hugely impactful coaching career which took Townley to Germany with Bayern Munich, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

John Forbes - 2x FA Cup Winner - 5 Scotland Caps - Rapid defender won back to back FA Cup Finals with Rovers in 1890 and 1891.

Jimmy Forrest - 5x FA Cup Winner - 11 England Caps. Winner of five F.A. Cup winning medals equaling the record set by Lord Kinnaird (also of 'The English Game'). Went onto become a club director in his later years.

Thomas Mitchell - Secretary (effectively the manager) of back to back FA Cup wins in 1889/90 and 1890/91.

George Dewar - 2x FA Cup Winner - 7 Scotland Caps - Gave up his international ambitions to move down to Blackburn (players outside of Scotland weren't picked for international duty) but rewarded with medals.

Harry Chippendale - 1 England Cap - Blackburn born winger also worked at Hornby's Brookhouse Cotton Mill in the town where he eventually became manager. Known for his speed and crossing abilities.

George 'Geordie' Anderson - Inspirational centre half and captain would make 200 appearances for the club in the late 20th Century. 

Tom Brandon - FA Cup Winner in 1891. Brandon was the first Rovers player to represent Scotland whilst playing for the club. Made a total of 245 League appearances in Blue and White.

 

Superb stats and facts. 

Look at our history it's actually incredible. Heart hurts knowing where we are now and what magical history we created. How are these guys not known nationally as part of our heritage in this country is beyond me

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

11 hours ago, rog of the rovers said:

Delighted with the early response and voting.

Hopefully the names are bringing back some old stories or even introducing you to new ones. A favourite of mine during my research was of Jack Southworth from an Everton website.

The Original Maestro in more ways than one! https://efcheritagesociety.com/maestro-the-jack-southworth-story/

With Les Graham (who some may remember?) in 1950. Jack made a return to Ewood after a ten year absence due to disagreements with the committee. 

That is the best ever write up of an early Rovers player I have seen.Pics of his medals and caps included.

With our great history why is there not a similar Rovers dedicated site?..quite embarrassing really.

An idea for the mods on here to expand on maybe?

Edited October 16 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Herbie6590]

1 hour ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

That is the best ever write up of an early Rovers player I have seen.Pics of his medals and caps included.

With our great history why is there not a similar Rovers dedicated site?..quite embarrassing really.

An idea for the mods on here to expand on maybe?

We tried to start something a few years ago using material supplied by Harry Berry but changes in personnel in BRFCS Towers slowed it down then a software upgrade killed it off completely.

We have the technical capability to resurrect it…just needs contributors…

Rob Sawyer has been on our podcast. His mum was a Rovers fan from Blackburn. We’re his 2nd team. He wrote a book on Keith Newton a while back. 

[Herbie6590]

20 hours ago, rog of the rovers said:

Delighted with the early response and voting.

Hopefully the names are bringing back some old stories or even introducing you to new ones. A favourite of mine during my research was of Jack Southworth from an Everton website.

The Original Maestro in more ways than one! https://efcheritagesociety.com/maestro-the-jack-southworth-story/

With Les Graham (who some may remember?) in 1950. Jack made a return to Ewood after a ten year absence due to disagreements with the committee. 

That shirt eh? 

 

[rog of the rovers]

Monday morning bump.

As it stands we have our first confirmed names for the 150 List (the top 10 from each category will automatically make the list).

Still time to have your say before the poll closes tomorrow at midnight.

On current polling

John Lewis

Arthur Constantine

Fergus Suter

Jimmy Forrest

Jack Southworth

Herbie Arthur

Walter Duckworth

Thomas Greenwood

Joe Lofthouse

Billy Townley

Edited October 20 by rog of the rovers