and there, for the oiks, is a man who knows his football. Like almost everyone who has seen them all, he knows who was the best, by a long way. Den, if you were a referee I'd say you were biased. This is true. Den, I appreciate your frustration at the younger people not seeing/knowing about England, but must every post advocating him be followed with your Parliamentary-style "here here"? Bellamy, don't take me too seriously. There's not one ounce of frustration at the younger people. In fact, the way that players such as Crompton and England are doing in these polls, when no-one has seen Crompton and very few have seen England, is proof that the younger members on this site are very broad minded, when it comes to selecting their team.

and there, for the oiks, is a man who knows his football. Like almost everyone who has seen them all, he knows who was the best, by a long way. Den, if you were a referee I'd say you were biased. Yes, I am. with good reason Bazza.

and there, for the oiks, is a man who knows his football. Like almost everyone who has seen them all, he knows who was the best, by a long way.

Bazza, we're going 4-4-2 so Mike England looks like getting in as one of the two central defenders. John Coddington might be available. Now listen guys. I'm in absolute turmoil here. I can't sleep and wont do until we've sorted this problem out. You all should know that we were going to elect one central defender, then from the same squad, minus say Colin Hendry - if he wins, have another vote for the second centre half. It's probably not necessary as the top two C.H's are so far in front, they should probably just both go straight into the side. However, it is possible, that a second vote, for the second centre half could show an absolute turn round in the voting. Any comments?

Nah, you don't have to sign up for rovers world. You DO have to register with the site though. [it's free]. ticket office number: 08701 123456

Yes, but Burnley as a club, couldn't compete with the top club sides, so weren't an attractive alternative. If a merger of the local sides, as discussed here, was to result in a club that could compete financially with the top 6 clubs in the country and did in fact compete for the top six places in the prem, wouldn't that bring in the crowds? [only thinking out loud].

For anyone voting who hasn't read the player reviews, it's worth reading these articles: Mike England Henning Berg Colin Hendry

I was feeling quite bright, 'til I read that last post, Theno. Miserable so and so.

Do try to keep up Jim

That's because Mike England never game him a kick. I see Hendry is ahead of England in the voting: look like the Rovers all-star team is going to have a headless chicken with blocks of concrete in his boots rather than a world class centre half. It looks to me, as if they're both going to be in there. Don't forget, we're going 4-4-2

First of all - the formation for the greatest ever rovers team. 4-4-2 is the way we will go. No-one at all has put 3-5-2 as their preferred formation, so I don't think a poll is necessary. I said a while ago, in response to a members question, that the way to go about selecting the centre halves, central midfielders and two strikers, is to submit a full list of the candidates for the first vote. After the first player is selected, the same list, minus the one just selected will be used to vote in the second player. This is the best way of ensuring we get the two favourites in. We will make this voting procedure as quick as possible, so it doesn't drag on too long.

That's what I had been hoping for! Before we start electing the midfield, I might just try a formal invite.

BILLY, that was a fantastic post. I remember mike England and vaguely remember Matt Woods. I don't remember Willie kelly at all, in fact I barely remember his name. You are one of the few posters on here that can go back that far, I look forward to your recollections of players as we go through the rest of the team. Thanks for that den.

I know how you feel 1864, but I don't think even a boycott would bring their prices down. They aren't bothered.

How many goals do you think he scored for England?

At 18, he's proved he's different class to Shearer?! The other one's got bells on it mate. Shearer, top club player as he is, didn't really do it at the highest level. Scored the odd goal for England, but you'd never look at an England side with Shearer in it and think "That's the man who's going to win us the game." During the latter half of his England career, Shearer's reputation-based selection tended to draw groans of disappointment. Anyway, I'm not here to disrespect the best player Blackburn ever had. Just wanted to say Shearer = reliable goalscorer in the Vieri mould. Rooney, however, looks like a Zidane-style once-in-a-generation super talent, something English football has probably never produced in the past. I think you might get a reply or two, to that post. Odd goal or two?

Nice story Mick. Memories

Quality, Tris.

Djorkeaff likely to play on Saturday. L.E.T.

Whoa, Brownie, don't be so sure. Colin Hendry isn't the best centre half to have played for rovers and I'll tell you why in the next few days. Youre probably correct Den, my point was CH will win by a country mile, and he will. Probably.

Rooney's three goals were good, but, for quality, come 3rd, 4th and fifth behind Shearers double on his debut against crystal palace. Seriously, Rooney's gonna be a great player. Gutted he's gone to O.T. though.

one other point. Both players went to other clubs. Mike England became a top player in one of England's best ever club teams - The mighty Spurs. Colin Hendry went to ....... Manchester City.

I saw both Colin Hendry and Mike England. Colin was the talisman behind the premiership win, everyone knows about Colin. Braveheart was exactly what he was. He lead by example, that was his main attribute. Also scored the winning goal from centre forward, in the full members cup final, so he was versatile as well. Nobody overestimates his contribution to the biggest domestic prize, he was superb. however, he wasn't the best centre half that rovers have ever had. Mike England was a far better player. Take a look at This article on the PFA football legends website. As a footballer, he would outshine Hendry every time. He could play anywhere - centre half, centre forward or midfield. Hendry could never have done that. When I first saw him, he played, as an 18 year old right half, the equivalent of todays midfielder. He could have played there all his career, he was that good. The things that I remember about him were the way he used to ease across the pitch, slide into the tackle and take the ball away cleanly - sheer class. I saw him score two goals, playing centre forward at Turf Moor, against a good burnley side, playing for a relegation bound rovers team, he was superb. He moved to centre half soon in his career. From there he really made his name as the best centre half in Britain. Proof of how highly he was regarded, was when he was sold to Spurs for £95,000. A British record for a defender. Hendry was never regarded that highly. He was the regular captain of Wales. Hendry only captained Scotland on a few occassions. As it says on the PFA legends website, Mike England was world class. Hendry wasn't that. He went on to manage Wales. It's difficult to get over to people who have never seen him, exactly how good he was. However, take notice of the posters on here, who HAVE seen him. They will have seen both Hendry and England, I bet they go for England every time. Two words stick out about Mike England - "WORLD CLASS"

Unless someone comes forward wanting 3-5-2 we'll stick with 4-4-2 then. No-one has yet.

The poll isn't up yet. Watch this space for Mike England profile.