POLL: The Ultimate 150 Rovers List - Part 8/9: Part Eight: The Walker Trust and later Premier League Era - 2000 - 2012 (3rd December - 10th December)

[rog of the rovers]

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List

 

Part Eight: The Walker Trust and later Premier League Era - 2000 - 2012 (3rd December - 10th December)

Poll runs from - 3rd to 10th December 2025

 

Some additional notes - Though any personal feedback is greatly appreciated

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

 

Graeme Souness - Souness managed to get the club back on track in the early 21st Century. The last manager hired by Walker, the fiery 'Souey' would lead Rovers back to the Premiership then into Europe after lifting the Worthington Cup in 2002. A popular figure still, he left for Newcastle in 2004, a move he repeatedly says he regrets in hindsight.

Damien Duff - League Cup Winner 2002 - "All you need is Duff". Wing wizard and youth product. A throwback pacy winger. One part of the trinity that fired Rovers back to the Premier League. 

Andy Cole - League Cup Winner 2002 - Scored the winner in Cardiff as Rovers defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. The experienced striker one of the most prolific the Premier League has seen.

Matt Jansen - League Cup Winner 2002 - Scored the opening goal in the League Cup final - Alongside Dunn/Duff fired Rovers to promotion in 2001, career cruelly cut short in Rome after a motorcycling accident.

Craig Short - League Cup Winner 2002 - Missed the final through suspension, but Rovers stalwart in the promotion campaign of 00/01 including a goal in the famous 5-0 victory over Burnley.

Jonathan Stead - A short lived but hugely impactful season and a half for Rovers. Almost singlehandedly kept Rovers in the Premier League with a run of crucial strikes. The success that followed owed a lot to Stead's purple patch at the end of the 2003/04 season.

Garry Flitcroft - Another who missed the League Cup final through suspension. Flitcroft the captain of the club had remained loyal during two stays in the second tier, helping Rovers back into the Premier League in 2001. Tenacious, unsung leader.

Craig Bellamy - The lowest appearances total on this list, but such was the impact of the mercurial Welshman that he deserves a place on the list. A fabulous season that propelled Rovers to Europe. They say a rising tide raises all boats, Bellamy had that effect on his teammates that season.

Lucas Neill - An unfortunate, messy divorce between Neill and Rovers destroyed the legacy of a fine full back and captain who lead the club and his country Australia with distinction.

Brad Friedel - League Cup Winner 2002 - Man of the Match in the final. Friedel is widely regarded as Rovers best ever keeper, famously save two pens in a game and even scored a goal in 2003! Rovers Hall of Fame inductee.

Mark Hughes - 'Sparky' enjoyed his twilight playing years at the club, adding promotion to the Premier League and a League Cup medal to his glittering medal haul. His first foray into management at Wales brought success which convinced John Williams to give him the role as Rovers boss. A wise decision too.

David Bentley - The former Arsenal youngster blossomed at Rovers to become a key figure in Rovers' success in the late noughties. Bentley would gain England honours whilst at the club in 2007 before departing for Spurs in 2008. Bentley returned in 2012/13 but both himself and the club had changed.

Roque Santa Cruz - The Paraguayan, signed from Bayern Munich, enjoyed a hugely successful first season in the Premier League and was voted Rovers' Player of the Season. Followed Hughes to Man City in 2009 in what was at the time a staggering £17.5m. Returned on loan in 2011 to little success.

Stephen Warnock - The left back from Merseyside won Rovers' Player of the Year in 2008/09 and represented England during his time at the club. To date Warnock is the last player to wear the Three Lions jersey whilst a player of the club.

Tugay - The Turkish Delight makes this and any list. Loved for his laiseez-faire style. A true maestro in the centre of the park. Didn't score many, but when he did they were often spectacular. 

Benni McCarthy - The smiling South African striker quickly established himself as a fans favourite after a blistering first campaign with 24 goals in all competitions. 

Brett Emerton - One of the great Ewood debuts vs. Wolves. The versatile Aussie would feature at various positions for the next decade. A solid, reliable campaigner.

Morten Gamst Pedersen - A fixture on the left side for almost a decade, the Norweigan international was and still is a firm fans favourite for his passion for the club and memorable moments in Blue n White.

Ryan Nelsen - 'The Admiral' shone from the minute he made his debut. A free signing from the MLS, he would go on to captain Rovers and his native New Zealand for years to come.

Chris Samba - The giant defender joined in January 2007 and quickly established himself as a permanent fixture in the centre of defence. His time at Rovers is looked back on fondly, with memorable moments a plenty, even a short stint as a striker under Sam Allardyce.

John Williams - The highly respected Chairman of Rovers for 13 years until his resignation under Venkys. Largely credited with keeping Rovers competitive in the Premier League on a modest budget with ten successive years in the top flight under his stewardship.

Paul Robinson - The former England keeper (didn't win a cap whilst a Rovers player) followed on admirably from Brad Friedel in 2008. His latter Rovers career was blighted by a heart issue and the general chaos around the club. A spell at Burnley did him no favours with the Rovers faithful.

David Dunn - League Cup Winner 2002 - Local hero enjoyed two fine spells at Ewood. Cult hero status for his raised performances in East Lancashire derbies. England international too. 

 

A fierce era for nominations!

Others - Steven Reid, David Thompson, Andy Todd, Matt Derbyshire, Robbie Savage, Paul Dickov, Andre Ooijer, Aaron Mokoena, Stephane Henchoz, Jason Roberts, Paul Ince, Martin Olsson.

 

Those that border this era, but feature next week - The Venkys, Steven N'Zonzi, Sam Allardyce, Steve Kean and Yakubu

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by rog of the rovers

[Mike E]

My ‘other’ was Robbie Savage. Much as he was a complete dick, I loved how much he wound up the opposition. I also credit his legwork with extending Tugay’s playing days by an extra couple of years.