The only one I can think of who could probably write a good sermon is Bob Fleming.

TAFKAP, I don't know how old you are but you should learn that half of Bamber Bridge have been Rovers supporters since time immemorial. Get used to it.

Way back in time, I remember that a single horse-drawn hearse came through Bamber Bridge with at least one Rovers player seated on it. Bill Eckersley was one and Clayton or Douglas or both gave their services. Perhaps someone close to the players could persuade one or two to take part. It's all part of the fun. The more senior players should be targeted such as Dunn or Pedersen. If they are abroad with the squad, maybe past players such as Kevin Gallagher, Simon Garner or even Matt Darbyshire, Gary Flitcroft or Matt Jansen.

Shame on the police for not allowing this tradition to go ahead in Bamber Bridge. Perhaps they should also ban the Preston Guild processions, thereby stopping another tradition. I get more and more disgusted with our police every day. I shall try to make it to Ewood on the 22nd.

The Sirloin at Hoghton is up and running again. It looks very nice. I haven't eaten there yet but the menu looks interesting. Plenty of beer selection of lagers and real ale.

If you're looking for a nice pub with a great selection of good, wholesome food at a very good price, try The Blue Anchor at Bretherton. Food is self service from 12 noon to 8pm for £5 on weekdays and £7 at weekends. You can go back and help yourself as many times as you wish. I usually start with a selection of salad stuff. Second plate is a small portion of curry and rice. Final plate is a selection of e.g. meat and potato pie, lasagne, dumpling stew, liver and onions, roasted veges, steamed veges, chips, mushy peas........there is always battered fish. A sweet is extra cash but I never have a sweet. (And you're not surprised seeing I've wolfed down all that lot above!!) And the Gents are clean as well. Clean toilets always indicate clean kitchens to me.

Hi everyone. I was born in 1943, a war baby. I'm a Prestonian but a Rover through and through. My dad was born in Hoghton in 1902. His uncle took him to Ewood Park to see Rovers beat North End 3-0. He saw Rovers win the league championship in 1912 and 1914. He took me on Ewood round about 1950-51 when I was seven. I had just started train spotting and was more interested in the steam engines that I could see from stand B of Nuttall street running on the line in the corner between the Blackburn end and Riverside. Later I got hooked and either watched from stand B or was put over the wall onto the bench on the running track in front of the Nuttall St enclosure. In those days there was no tannoy. Any music would be marches played by a local band before the game and at half time. The programme would have a list of the marches. Also it had the 1st and 2nd Div. fixtures alongside letters ABC etc. so that about 10 minutes into the second half a bloke would come out and put the half time scores into a set of metal letters on the wall round the running track. There was one set on Nuttall St side near the Darwen end and another set on the wall on the Riverside near the Blackburn end. The Blackburn End, then, had no cantilever roof. It was open to the elements.The Darwen End was the home supporters' favourite end. But then in those days there were very few away supporters unless it was a north west team and there was no segregation of supporters; there was no need because people then were better behaved. I took my son on when he was 5 to see them play Cambridge Utd in 1974. He is now also hooked. For those of you who have been on the messageboard since it's inception, he was known as "Spenny". I feel privileged to have seen such great players as Bobby Langton, Bill Eckersley, Eddie Quigley, Bill Holmes, Albert Nightingale and Reg Elvy. I saw the introduction of the young Ronnie Clayton, his brother Ken and Bryan Douglas. I was there at Ewood to witness the 9-0 thrashing of Middlesbrough when Briggs failed to score, the 8-3 win over Bristol Rovers when Briggs got his seven (we were losing 3-2 at half time) and the 6-0 revenge over Lincoln City after they had thrashed us 8-0 at Sincil Bank earlier in the season. Unfortunately I missed the 7-1 thrashing of Spurs in September 1963. I have followed Rovers through thick and thin over the years at home and, very occasionally, away. But I only started my season ticket in 1993 when I realised the ground was going to be full each game and good seats would become like hens' teeth. I shall continue this support because my blood isn't red, it's half blue and half white and "I'm Rovers 'til I die". I used to play tennis but my knees are knackered. I enjoy walking and drinking good real ale. I'm quite gregarious. There's nothing nicer than to go into a pub, sit down with a pint and chat merrily away to anyone who wants to talk.

I've checked out Livingston FC in Wikipedia. The manager isn't Di Canio. Who the heck is Rafa?

Driving past "Inside Out" in Walton-le-Dale I noticed a sign "For Auction". I presume the building and land, formerly known as Birch House, are up for auction. The restaurant is still open and advertising but I wonder if they are feeling the current austerity and are about to go under.

He was born and bred in Sagunto in the Valencia region. He was taken on at the age of 12 by Valencia and moved to Barcelona a year later. He's not a pie eater; he's a paella eater

Makes me uncomfortable to watch this, but it's a must. Watch it right to the end. PS Don't try this at home. http://www.jokeroo.com/bin/player.swf?5f9f_f369

I am reliably informed that Rochina is pronounced roh-chee-nah with the emphasis on "chee". Ruben has the emphasis on "ben".

It talks about Roque quoting Kean as saying "He trained with the medical staff......." I expected the sentence to continue, "and they lasted longer than he did." I will be disappointed not to see Ruben and Mauro soon.

I've just seen "The King's Speech" and have to agree with Paul, Colin and others what a good film it is; well above my expectations. However, my reason for posting is that the actor, David Bamber, who has a cameo role as the theatre director (when Logue goes for an audition) is the spitting image of Bill Eckersley. I've seen him before and thought the same. He has the same shaped head, eyes, ears. It would be interesting to know if others, who've seen them both, agree with me.

Thanks RVR and Neil Weaver. I hope Judge stays with us. Or has he not progressed as was expected? Hollowsr or anyone?

What is Matt doing these days? Is he still on loan to Brum? If so, why is he not playing? Personally, I'd like him back. Can anyone tell me what has happened to these players. And where can I keep track of Rovers' current players and ex-players if not by asking you lot? Elrio Van Heerden Zurab Khizanishvili Aaron Doran Alan Judge It's OK. I've found a Wikipedia page for the players but any report re the above would be welcomed.

Yes. The high terraced area between the Riverside and the Darwen End usually had very few people on it. (A bit like the Darwen End side of the Jack Walker Stand now). That is why I decided to go there for the FA Cup 6th round replay against Burnley in 1960. I left it too late to get into the ground and saw very little of the match because I just couldn't push my way into the sardine tin at that point. There were 52,000 on. With regards to the 1929 crowd of just less than 62,000 I should imagine that a few hundred (or thousand) people never saw much of the game. Don't forget that all the steps or terracing from top to bottom at the Blackburn End facing the pitch had an almost equal number of steps down away from the pitch facing what's now the club shop and Jack's statue (can't remember the name of the street). Come to think of it, those steps were probably only at each side and not all the way round the back.

I was very sad to hear of Ronnie Clayton's death. He was only nine years older than me. I have never had a tour around Ewood Park and regret not going on the ones Ron used to do. I started watching Rovers around 1950/51 when Jackie Campbell was right half. A young Ronnie Clayton soon took over from him and became one of the greatest Rovers players I have ever seen. He was not only captain of the Rovers but also captain of England, taking over from Billy Wright of Wolves. The England captaincy passed on to West Ham's Bobby Moore whilst Ronnie still played for England. My dad told me the story that he was at Ewood watching Ronnie being given a trial and playing in front of David Gray. Gray was shouting instructions to him too much when my dad shouted "Let the lad play his own game, David." A man standing behind my dad said, "Thanks for that. I'm Ronnie's father." There wouldn't have been many spectators on the terraces at that game. A true, true Rovers legend. RIP Ronnie. Condolences to the family.

Steve Agnew takes temporary charge of Middlesbrough after Strachan has left. I remember when Don Mackay bought him, the Barnsley captain.

Just a thought........ Back in early May, Mac said he went to Thyme at the Sirloin in Hoghton. I wonder if he checked out the pool room of the ground floor bar where there are photos and memorabilia of local footy teams; i.e. Bolton Wanderers, North End, Rovers and the mancs and scousers clubs as well. Well worth a look before you have an excellent meal.

The question was "Is England still in the World?" Which is correct English. My answer is "I ruddy hope so. I am fairly sure the country where I live hasn't been blasted off the face of the Earth".

Seconded

It is April 1st, you know.