POLL: The Ultimate 150 Rovers List - Part 6/9: Part Six: The Eighties and Three Points Era - 1980 - 1992 (19th November - 26th November)

[rog of the rovers]

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List

 

Part Six: The Eighties and Three Points Era 1980-1992

Poll runs from - 19th to 26th November 2025

 

Some additional notes - Though any personal feedback is greatly appreciated

Dates determined by when the player or manager left the club.

Howard Kendall - The first player-manager in the clubs history, Kendall's management saw Rovers gain promotion to the Second Division in his first year before narrowly missing out on back to back promotions the season after. Kendall would go on to huge success back at Everton.

Jim Arnold - Kendall signed him from non league Stafford Rangers aged 29 solving a longstanding GK problem. Kept club record of clean sheets as promotion secured.

Andy Crawford - One good season in his career but it gained Rovers promotion & knocked out 1st Division Coventry City in the FA Cup when Rovers were in Division 3.

Duncan McKenzie - The journeyman striker helped Rovers back into the second tier in 1979/80. His 12 league goals complimenting partner Crawford as Rovers finished runners up. 

Stuart Metcalfe - Division 3 Champion 1975 - Play maker in the middle of the pitch with partner in crime Tony Parkes, crucial contribution in the promotion season of 1974/75. Voice familiar to a younger generation of fans thanks to his co-commentary role with Radio Rovers and Rovers TV. 

John Lowey - Another significant capture by Kendall, Lowey was a fixture in the early 1980s and part of teams that regularly 'punched above their weight'.

Derek Fazackerley - Division 3 Champion 1975 - Record number of appearances for the club. 'Faz' anchored the Rovers defence for nearly 20 years! Post playing career spent time at the club as a coach. Remains a hugely popular figure in the fan base. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee.

Glenn Keeley - Full Members' Cup Winner 1987 - 'Killer' became the first Rovers captain to lift a trophy at Wembley in almost 60 years. Defensive stalwart over many years.

Jim Branagan - Unassuming full back a fixture during the 1980s. Rock solid in the tackle and a consummate professional.

Terry Gennoe - Terrific servant to the club both on and off the pitch. Unfortunate to miss the Full Members' Cup final through injury.

Noel Brotherston - 27 Northern Ireland Caps - Flame-haired right winger had the skill and trickery to beat opponents and quickly became a fans favourite. Retired to become a painter/decorator in the town before his tragic early passing, aged 38, days before Rovers lifted the Premier League trophy in May 1995.

Mick Rathbone -   Dependable left back, 'Basil' or simply 'Baz' would be a constant fixture at the back for nearly a decade. Promoted back to Division 2 under Kendall in 1980. Another who lives in the town, now in 'semi retirement' after a hugely successful career as one of the most respected Physiotherapists in the game.

Steve Archibald - The loan signing that stunned English football. Blackburn Rovers took the Barcelona striker on loan in December 1987, the first shock waves of Jack Walker's influence and money at Ewood. 

Simon Barker - Full Members Cup winner - Barker was arguably Rovers' best player in the mid to late 80s, the midfielder played for England under 21s whilst at the Rovers. He would leave just before the Walker years, but played in the Premier League for QPR between 92/96

Ian Miller - Winger 'Windy' Miller is in rare company as a member of the 300+ appearances for Rovers category. A fixture through the 1980s and a Full Members Cup winner in 1987, assisting Colin Hendry with the winner at Wembley. Miller returned as a coach after retirement.

David Mail - Full Members Cup winner - Mail was a constant in the 80s at centre half where he took over from Glenn Keeley. A member of the three playoff runs in the late 1980s as Rovers came ever so close to a return to the top flight.

William 'Bill' Fox - Rovers Chairman and President of the Football League. Ironically, he was a vehement critic of the establishment of the Premier League. Fox died aged 63 and missed the successes that followed. His role in the 1980s kept the club alive, laying the foundation for future success.

Don Mackay - Manager who took Rovers back to Wembley for the first time in 27 years, the Full Members' Cup victory a famous day under the Twin Towers.

Howard Gayle - Missed a penalty against Crystal Palace in the 1st leg of the play off final. Had that gone in….???? Memories of the subsequent capitulation at Selhurst Park in 1989 still haunt a generation of fans. 

Simon Garner - Full Members Cup Winner 1987 - Still the clubs all time top goalscorer. A prolific finisher on the pitch and a true character off it. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee. "There's Only One Simon Garner!"

Nicky Reid - The popular powerful defender was first team captain of Rovers through the playoff heartaches of the late 1980s. The 'Nearly Men' as they became known.

Scott Sellars - Full Members Cup Winner 1987 - A flying left winger, just what the Rovers fans love. Winner at Wembley twice as Rovers were promoted in 1992. The playoff final would be his last game for the club as he rejoined Leeds United for the inaugural Premier League season.

David Speedie - A short, but impactful stay from the impish Scot. His hat-trick at Plymouth to secure a playoff spot, then subsequent 'dive' at Wembley ensured his place in Rovers folklore. 

Chris Price - A short but successful second spell as Rovers clinched promotion to the top flight is his legacy, his first spell memorable as he made the 2nd Division Team of the Year in 1987/88.

Others - Bob Saxton, Chris Sulley, Ossie Ardilles, Chris Thompson, Vince O'Keefe.

Players who featured in the Premier League for Rovers will be in the next two polls.

 

Edited 15 hours ago by rog of the rovers

[doctorryan]

I see no place to insert "others" up top so here:  He put on the halves, he has to be on the list.................................................

 Ossie Ardilles

[rog of the rovers]

6 minutes ago, doctorryan said:

I see no place to insert "others" up top so here:  He put on the halves, he has to be on the list.................................................

 Ossie Ardilles

He's in the honourable mentions part at the bottom. A worthy name to throw out, who agrees?

[doctorryan]

14 minutes ago, rog of the rovers said:

He's in the honourable mentions part at the bottom. A worthy name to throw out, who agrees?

Yeah, I saw where he was Rog; I just thought that there would be a place to insert his name when one clicked "Others - Please specify" ...........So I figured this was what you wanted us to do.

[rog of the rovers]

The poll is limited to 24, so Others cover a range of players, but I'll take your vote to be for Ardilles.

If anyone else wants to vote for Ossie then click 'Other' and add a note in the comments 

[rog of the rovers]

Second half of the classic Leicester City (h) 19th March 1988