We do still give free tickets to schools sometimes. We also do a lot of work in local schools, which if you don't have kids at local schools, then you wouldn't be aware of. More importantly though with Preston, they are unbeaten in their last 24 games!!

Uncanny!! We'll have to have a beer together while we are out there.

I'm going to Togo v Switzerland and England v Sweden!!!!!!

I have seen mock ups of all the shirts at the Fans Forum and theat grey one looks horribly like a Man City shirt. I don't think there is any risk of the vote being 'hijacked', no one cares enough to spend money in the hope Rovers have to wear a rubbish looking shirt! But on the financial note, it is interesting the club has chosen this method. I presume it will generate some income, but I guess it will be very little (maybe enough to cover Lee's costs when reproducing the designs online! - nice work). Overall I think this is a good idea, but I am sceptical about the comment: "A decision will be made in a fortnight's time as to the winning design". If the fans were voting for the shirts surely there is no decision to make - most votes wins. I can see why the club want to retain the overall say, but then what is the point in having a vote. The club can gauge supporters' opinions through a variety of groups now.

Does anyone know if Sunderland have a similar deal wih SWI regarding their club shop? Their online shop looks good.

Not related to the FA charges, but didn't think it was worth another thread. Nelsen unlikely for Malaysia I doubt very much he will go to Christchurch for this. I suppose the only chance he might go is if Arsenal get to the the Carling Cup final and we don't.

Does anyone have any ideas on what the club could do? I've racked my brains and can't think of anything that would satisfy everyone. For some people, going to the re-arranged match simply won't be an option - i.e. those people visiting friends/relatives in Blackburn over the Christmas period. The re-arranged match is likely to be a weekday evening (unless we both end up out of the cup). Obviously the kids will be back at school by then, so that rules a few more out. I also can't see how the club can do anything for its own supporters without offering the same for the Sunderland supporters (because in fairness Wednesday night cost most of them more than the local Rovers fans). Any suggestions?

Exactly! And the sooner the club give a clear explanation the better. The mixed messages that came out on Wednesday night have led to all this speculation and discontent. A clear explanation, within 24 hours of the decission to cancel the match, would have saved the club a lot of damage.

Great preview Clare. I am looking forward to our first league meeting...but I'm going to give the free pie a miss.

From memory the club were very excited about the deal when it happened as it was worth a lot of money to them. I seem to remember the contract is for a long period too and I'm guessing it is tied into the kit manufacturing and shirt sponsor deals too, so I don't think the club could possibly get out of it. I am sure if the club receive enough complaints from fans they will start to look at the situation (if they haven't already realised). I think initially BRISA could raise the issue when they next meet with John Williams. At least we could then find out what the club's opinion of the situation is and if they have tried to do anything to rectify it. Isn't there a few of the old club shop staff still working there (I do recognise one or two of them)? Would they still have contacts within the club? Although I doubt they would want to upset their new employers.

I've promised mine to my dad, but if he doesn't want it then you are next in line!

Has anyone been up to Sunderland's ground recently? I think Sunderland have a similar deal as we have with SWI. Just wondered if they are experiencing similar problems with their 'club shop'.

Have you ever tried a Pooles pie?! Think I'll pass on my free pie. Last time I was there I tried a cheese and onion pie that the bottom fell out of it and I had to go back and ask for a spoon to eat the filling which could only be described as cheese soup. Uuuuurrrggghhhhhhh.

I took responsibility for arranging the phone number. I actually wrote up the minutes from that meeting and the number is included on the minutes. The number has been available from that date and is still available now. It appears that it has been overlooked/forgotten when flyers, etc were designed.

I think the location of 'Strikers' was a major factor. I don't even know if it is still there and used now, but it used to be very popular before matches.

First half - very poor and forgotten already. Second Half - got stuck in when Bert and Mokoena came on. Still very very angry at Dickov for going down, rather than shooting. Nice to see Kuqi get off the mark for Rovers and the celebration is great!! Hope the problems with Bellamy's knee isn't too serious. I am excited about seeing Kuqi and Bellamy upfront together....

Hate to put my Heath and Saftey hat on, but I'm pretty sure the club would argue that one of the main reason for selling tickets (and therefore not allowing a debit system at the turnstiles or a 'pick and mix' half season ticket) is to control the number of people in the ground. I know, I know, this would never likely be an issue at Ewood!! But, there are occasions when we could have a serious saftey problem of more people in the ground than the given capacity. Great ideas though and keep them coming!

Maybe not as directly relevant for Rovers, but I think Sky has got a lot to do with lower attendances at matches. Not just that you can watch a match for much cheaper from the comfort of your armchair, but it has produced a breed of 'football fan' who wouldn't consider stepping foot inside a ground. Sky has also brought a dose of 'football overload'. If you have Sky, you can watch a match most nights of the week - people are bound to get bored eventually.

Nobody seems to have mentioned the banner that was drapped over one of the balconies in the Trafford Lodge on Sunday. It read: "I'd rather be an Aussie than a dingle" Good effort lads and I could see the dingles a few rooms down appreciated it to!

I didn't buy a season ticket last season, but I attended every home match. I haven't applied for one this season and I haven't had any correspondance from the club. However, I did get a dvd and personal letter from David Hogson, the Darlington manager, telling my all about their season ticket packages and the benefits....I once attended a Darlington home match 2 season ago!

I can't find anything in the media to back it up and I missed the local news this morning, but apparently there was some trouble in Beeston last night. For those of you who know the area, the Tommy Wass pub had to be closed. Some people at work have described it as 'riots', but I don't know for definate what happened or how many were involved. I've just been sitting in my office close to Beeston listening to police sirens all day, as there have been all week. I drove through Beeston yesterday afternoon and its still crawling with media and police. South Leeds feels a really sad place at the minute.

It would still have been a draw

Or you could suggest that this is 10% from the fans who care enough to get involved with their club and talk about what's happeneing. If you take into account the more 'casual' supporter, this figure could be even higher.

There is usually a decent European side that come to Ewood a week or two before the start of the season. No idea who it will be this year though.

I think the message is very clear what the problem is. I don't think the club will like it, but they will have to accept that this is how the fans feel. They won't like it because it isn't really something John Williams can control or manipulate. He can provide money to buy players, but at that is where his influence directly on the football ends. It is upto the players and coaching staff after that.