A lot of folks reckon Gally did well when he came on. Does anyone else think he was terrible, apart from his goal? I don't think he found another blue and white shirt all night. More than once hughes turned away shaking his head at Gally's poor passing.

Two previews this week. Grizfoot is submitting his Charlton preview shortly. I asked around to see whether anyone on this site had recollections of the famous game at the Valley around 1958 that saw rovers promoted. I'm very grateful to Bazza for giving us an insight of that afternoon. Bazza: I have been asked to submit something that I can remember about the Rovers away game against Charlton Athletic at the Valley in 1958. This was a game that Rovers had to win. The fixture list had decreed that the last game of the season would be Charlton Athletic away. West Ham United were already champions of the (old) second division. Only two clubs were to be promoted. No play-offs in those days. Charlton, in second place, were one point above Rovers who had to win. Charlton needed only a draw. For several previous seasons Rovers (and Liverpool, for that matter) had played well and come very close to winning promotion but had come third best to the likes of Birmingham City, Leicester City, Everton, Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, Leeds Utd, and Nottingham Forest. And so it came to pass.................. Where was I on that final Saturday of the 1957-58 season? I had just turned 15 years old! I was at boarding school in Blackpool. This was a school that was dedicated to playing football with an egg-shaped ball. They never won me over because nobody ever explained the rules to me. On THAT Saturday I was somewhere in the school grounds when a fellow Rovers supporter, who came from Whalley or Langho or somewhere near, came up to me and said, “Rovers are winning 3-1 at half time.” I said, “You’re having me on”. He denied it and went on his way. My spirits rose. WOW!! Is he telling me the truth? Communication via the media was almost non existent. Someone must have access to a radio which had second half commentary of one of the league matches of the day,usually a First Division match (always kept secret and never announced in case everyone heard and stayed at home to listen to the commentary, leaving the ground empty!!!) ; that’s all you could get in those days. Later that day, in the early evening, I was kneeling in a pew in St Kentigerns Church, Newton Drive, Blackpool , when another schoolmate came in and whispered in my ear, “Rovers are in the first division”. HALLELUIA.....reverberated many times in my mind. We’re up. We’re up; we’re up we’re up we’re up, Eee Aye Engio, we’re up we’re up we’re up. Complete and utter euphoria, which, translated into modern language, means ROVERS........PROMOTED.......YEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH YEEAAAAAHHHH!! Things I’ve heard or read about that day which may or may not be true, but have stayed in my memory ever since are:- 1) BBC radio’s 2nd half commentary was THAT game. The commentator’s opening remarks, at half time,were that the most significant words of the Charlton signature tune, “When the red, red robin comes bob, bob bobbing along”, were “wake up, wake up little sleepy head”. Rovers had outplayed them totally. 2) In the 2nd half we got a penalty early on and Douglas duly converted. But Charlton were not 2nd in the Division for nothing. They got themselves back into the game 4-2 and had Rovers on the back foot. 4-3. All they needed was one last goal to win promotion. Rovers were hanging on. In Blackburn town centre, maybe the market, the commentary was broadcast through loudspeakers. During a late frenzied Charlton attack the shoppers went quiet and one lone voice yelled out “For God’s sake ref, blow thi ruddy whistle!” 3) At The Valley itself the final whistle blew and one large lady Rovers supporter ran onto the field and picked up Bryan Douglas, lifting him clean off the ground. Jack Weddle who was the trainer, the man with the bucket of water and “magic” sponge. had his water tipped all over him. Later that year, in August, I was on Leeds City railway station when I found out the score of Rovers first Div 1 game away at Newcastle. But that’s another story. And so to the present day. Charlton are in many ways similar to ourselves, needing to stay in the premier league yet hoping to qualify for European competition. Alan Curbishley is a much respected manager and is astute in selection, formation, tactics and motivation. However, they have lost their playmaker, Scott Parker, to Chelsea, like we did Duffer, and we all know what a big blow that was. Last season Brad equalised in the last minute only for them to snatch victory with the last kick of the game. I hope we can get a better result this season and gain a victory. I think we will.........2-1 to Rovers. Thanks Bazza and if anyone else has recollections, let us have them on here

I said to the missus during the second half, they're fitter than us. Lo and behold, Hughes comments after the game were about them being "physically stronger than us-and that isn't acceptable." How many times did we concede last minute goals during the last couple of seasons?

Tris, they were Souness's players out there tonight.

I'm sure he played LB in the 1960 cup final, with John Bray at right back. Some of the older members will have to guide me on this.

but Crompton won and nobody has seen him play. FLB put up a great case for him, that's the difference.

Yes, because he was too good to be omitted. That wont convince anyone Jim. I fully understand where you are coming from with Keith Newton. Did no-one see any of the clips from the world cups of the 70's? That man had far more class than Le Saux ever had, he was a superb player. I find it hurts a bit to see Le Saux in front of him in the poll, [it hurts a lot actually]. But he was a right back Jim. It gauls me to see a player like Le Saux being voted in as an Ewood "great" as well. That's what the thread's all about though. Who am I to say everyone's wrong? Even if they are!

and even more so when Souey took Boersma, Saunders and Murray with him. What a saving in compensation there.

What's this us paleface, you buggered off to Paris.

Tris, the reason that gates have dropped dramatically in the last two seasons [iMO], is because of the dross served up at home by Souness' teams. Those fans that have gone wont suddenly re-appear, it will take many good home performances and results. It could take years.

If the last couple of seasons you've found it a chore going to cup games - does that include the run to the semi-final v Man Utd as holders of the league cup ? A chore ?? Season before last ?? Flippin eck I know almost every single thread on this board is turning into a slag-off Souness fest but let's have a reality check. And many posts on this thread WANT Hughes to put out a load of fringe players on Wedesday night - if Souness does that it's called not taking the cup seriously. And - for the record - the day Mark Hughes is asked the direct question "what's the priority, survival in the premier league or a cup run" what the flip do people think he's going to reply ???? Tris, I wasn't the only one finding a trip to ewood a chore [not quite the right word, but you know what I mean]. Just ask the missing 4000 fans from a couple of seasons ago.

OOps, sorry American, I forgot that you think Souey was doing well for us - left us with a top side an' all.

I always used to look forward to any game at ewood park, even the minor cup games - anything. These last couple of seasons, for the first time in my life, it got to be a chore. I know I've been slated on here for this, but all the talk from Souness about survival being the only important thing and that cup competitions can only hamper that survival, really does get to people. It's been repeated over and over again for 2/3 years now and it get's through to people. It get's into the mindset of fans, players and everyone at the club. It becomes very difficult to be positive about anything. How wonderful to hear Hughes saying that we're about to embark on an adventure. It will take a long time but hopefully this kind of approach will push the players that little bit harder and give them and the fans, something to target, something worthwhile to aim for. Even to win a cup. There's been a lot of suggestions as to why attendances have fallen for the past couple of seasons, but the truth is it's because of the complete lack of ambition to do anything but to do the same again. Thank god Souey's gone. I hope he tries to tell the Geordies that cup competitions aren't important, but I don't think he's brave enough to tell them, that. Anyway, I am looking forward to this game. It should be very interesting, in it's own way.

Strikers are the biggest problem for us. We may have quite a few of them, bit I'm not convinced any of them are up to prem standard.

Sorry for the delay in the voting for the left back - I've been away. Any way - the result for the greatest ever right back: Bob crompton won it with 78 votes - 49% of the vote. Second came Henning Berg with 16.5%, then third was Keith Newton with 13.38%. So the first two voted in are Brad Friedel and Bob Crompton. Now for the left back. I've put forward almost all those nominated by yourselves. One or two notes made by some of you in favour of these players: Fergie Suter-- Link to the history section Bill Eckersley--Al's recollections Walter Crook--Troopers choice Graeme Le Saux--Dr Rich's choice Keith Newton-- Jim's view As for my opinion, there are only three real candidates for this position- Newton, Le Saux and Eckersley. Keith newton was a fabulous player, no doubt about that. Real class and as Jim says, held down a regular position in a superb England side. However, sorry Jim, Newton was primarily a right back, so I can't go along with that, as much as it pains me. Le Saux, was one of the best left backs to play for us, no doubt about that either. I never saw Bill Eckersley play but I do remember people telling me exactly how good he was. Someone commented that Tom Finney said he was the best full back he ever played against, You don't get a better recommendation than that. One final thought. What we are looking for is the "Greatest" left back. When Graeme Le Saux left this club, he left it with a lot of acrimony - I was on Ewood when Bill Eckersley's family spread his ashes on the pitch at the blackburn end. No contest, Bill Eckersley every time.

All of a sudden, everyone wants Emerton coming inside. I'm sure, prior to yesterday, everyone was crying out for him to go round the outside

1 Why shouldn't they? If they don't want to manage a side in the prem, where's the ambition, unless of course, they only want Wenger, Fergy or Mourinho's job. 2 So you rate them, do you? I don't.

Nothing's guaranteed, but he's probably first choice, at the moment. If he's interviewed and fits the bill, I can't see us talking to anyone else. Could be wrong though, 'cos really, I don't have a clue. [first to admit it]

If the stories that rovers are about to ask permission to speak to Dowie are true, then surely that means that he is the first choice. That's what happened with Kidd, we asked permission, got it and offered him the job. This all seems to me, if true, to rule out a move for Hughes.

Out of interest - exactly how did he do well at Oldham? Not saying he didn't, just asking.

Maybe we're all getting a bit sidelined with this mark Hughes business. the LET did say that the people the board had wanted to apply, had. Then it went on to say that Strachan had applied.

A workmate of Baz, has said he has had a text from rovers, to say that Mark Hughes has been appointed Manager. It might be a wind-up, don't know.

I'd have Mike England too, or Matt Woods, but I respect those who would argue the case for Colin Hendry. No thanks Sherwood, Brownie. I remember Mike England playing right half as an 18 year old, what a fantastic player. It will be difficult to get him chosen though, the vast majority haven't seen or heard anything about him. IMO, the best of the lot. 92er - I'll leave the case for forbes and Cowell up to you.

True bob, very true. BTW, don't forget Portsmouth.

Hmmm, got to agree with Berg/Newton comments - especially in a poll for the right back. Absolutely no comparison. Still - as long as the best man wins, we might finish up with something worthwhile. As for rigging the vote - Theno, REALLY! If we did what you suggest, Jim'll elect the entire team on his own.