POLL: The Ultimate 150 Rovers List - Part 7/9: Part Seven: The Early Premier League and Jack Walker Era - 1992 - 2000 (26th November - 3rd December)

[rog of the rovers]

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List

 

Part Seven: The Early Premier League and Jack Walker Era - 1992 - 2000

Poll runs from - 26th November to 3rd December 2025

 

Some additional notes - Though any personal feedback is greatly appreciated

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

 

Kevin Moran - The inspirational Irishman captained Rovers to promotion before laying the foundations for the success that followed.

David May - The academy product built his career in the late 80s before a fine first full campaign in the Premier League in 1992 whet the appetite for Rovers fans hoping May would have a long career in Blue and White. The player had other ideas an joined rivals Man Utd. May would end with plenty of medals, but not many appearances for United.

Sir Kenny Dalglish - 'King' Kenny joined the Walker Rovers project after a brief retirement from Liverpool. Dalglish transformed the fortunes of the club, culminating in the Premier League title in May 1995. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee.

Mark Atkins - Premier League Champion 1995 - The poster boy of 'under rated hero' of 1994/95. The title the crescendo of his 7 years at Rovers. Remains a firm fan favourite. "Super Atko, Super Atko, woah woah"

Ray Harford -  Harford joined Dalglish as Assistant Manager in 1991. The two would orchestrate the success that followed, with Harford credited with the majority of the coaching during that period. An unsuccessful spell as Boss saw his time at the club come to an end as he followed on from Kenny in 1995/96.

Bobby Mimms - Goalkeeper as Rovers clinched promotion into the Premier League at Wembley in 1992. Mimms would remain first choice the following season before losing his place to Tim Flowers. An able deputy Mimms featured four times as Rovers won the Premier League in 1995.

Mike Newell - Premier League Champion 1995 - Playoff Winners 1992 - A crucial piece in the 1992 promotion season, including scoring the winning penalty at Wembley. Champions League hat-trick in 1996 as Rovers beat Rosenborg.

Alan Shearer - Premier League Champion 1995 - Arguably the best Rovers' player ever, certainly in living memory. Explosive striker with a rocket shot, great in the air, great everywhere. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee.

David Batty - The combative Leodensian looked to be the final jigsaw piece for King Kenny as his form in 1993/94 lead him to win the Player of the Year award and England honours. He would however miss the majority of the title campaign thanks to a broken foot, famously refusing a winners medal. His Rovers career is perhaps best remembered for his infamous fight in Moscow with Graeme Le Saux.

Graeme Le Saux - Premier League Champion 1995 - Cultured full back was also capped for England during his time at the club. The messy incident with Batty in Moscow a sad end to a fine spell at the club.

Sven Goran Eriksson - The would be Rovers boss for all of two months. The then Sampdoria boss Sven would go on to huge success in Italy with Lazio before finally coming to these shores to manage the England national team from 2001-2006. A sliding doors moment in the clubs history.

Roy Hodgson - Hodgson took the reigns after Sven politely declined the opportunity to come to Ewood. Under Roy the Rovers flew out of the traps in 97/98 sitting top at Christmas with Hodgson twice named 'Manager of the Month' for August and December 97. The second half collapse carried into the start of the 1998/99 season where Hodgson's reign came to an abrupt end with rumours of 'losing the dressing room' thanks to his intense 'European' (now standard) methods.

Stuart Ripley - Premier League Champion 1995 - 2 England Caps - Flying right winger a key cog in the Premier League title machine, with 5 assists.

Colin Hendry - Premier League Champion 1995 - 'Braveheart' also won the Full Members' Cup in 1987 as a striker with the winning goal at Wembley. Rock in the heart of the defence throughout the title season, his performance away at Goodison against Everton in the title run in epitomised his desire and courage. Important headed goals at Leeds and Aston Villa also crucial to the title victory.

Tim Sherwood -  Premier League Champion 1995 - Captain of the title winning team, overcame a tough start to his Rovers career to become the leader of the Champions. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee.

Tim Flowers - Premier League Champion 1995 - 10 England Caps - Man of the match performance on VE Day at Ewood against Newcastle the crucial final push to Premier League glory. Just don't talk to him about 'bottle'.

Jason Wilcox - Premier League Champion 1995 - 3 England Caps - 'Bolsar Boy' shrugged off his early critics to enjoy huge success at Ewood, 7 assists in the title winning season feeding the SAS from the left wing.

Chris Sutton - Premier League Champion 1995 - The other, less heralded, half of the fabled SAS. Sutton's contributions that season and beyond put him firmly on this list. Carried his scoring prowess to a Premier League Golden Boot in 1997/98. Creating another fine partnership with Kevin Gallacher, SAS and GAS.

Kevin Gallacher - A vital winning goal against Crystal Palace (h) in 94/95 his telling contribution to the title success as a recurring leg injury hampered his early Rovers career. A prolific partnership with Sutton in 1997/98 fired Rovers to a top 6 finish and back into Europe. A regular fixture at Ewood since retirement with both the club and Radio Lancashire.

Jack Walker - Took control of the club in January 1991 and his legacy lives on to this day. The successes that followed were down to the vision and ambition of the local lad done good. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee. The easiest vote on this list.

Jeff Kenna - Premier League Champion 1995 - Signed during the title campaign the Republic of Ireland international made over 150 appearances for Rovers. An unlikely scorer against Crystal Palace during the title season his only goal for the club.

Henning Berg - Premier League Champion 1995 - League Cup Winner 2002 - Norwegian international - As a player enjoyed huge success at Rovers, just be sure to ignore his ill fated spell as boss in 2012. 

Robert Coar - Made Chairman by Jack Walker after the death of Bill Fox in 1991. Coars tenure as Chairman over the next two decades saw Rovers reach historic heights. Now in an Honorary role he is still visible in the directors box on a match day.

 

Others - Gordon Cowans, Alan Wright, Paul Warhust, Tony Gale, Lars Bohinen, Billy McKinley, Brian Kidd, John Filan, Kevin Davies.

 

Edited 17 hours ago by rog of the rovers

[rog of the rovers]

31 years to the day. 26/11/94

The camera angle for Shearer's hat-trick and Rovers' 4th just doesnt do it justice, for those who were there you'll remember the real time speed of the 'rocket of a right foot shot.'

[Mike E]

7 hours ago, rog of the rovers said:

31 years to the day. 26/11/94

The camera angle for Shearer's hat-trick and Rovers' 4th just doesnt do it justice, for those who were there you'll remember the real time speed of the 'rocket of a right foot shot.'

Notable from that commentary that both Shearer and Sutton had 16 goals each by this point. A truly barnstorming start to the winning season for both of them.