rog of the rovers

Upon reflection and to target the main forum members who remember with fondness the 1970s and the 1980s these will now be split into two sections. Part Five: The Seventies and Eighties - 1970 - 1980 (12th November - 19th November) Part Six: The Eighties and Three Points Era - 1980-1992 (19th November - 26th November) So 9 parts in total leading us up to the full list reveal in time for Christmas and the conclusion of our 150th celebrations.

Be sure not to miss the BRFCS Ultimate 150 List first poll at the top of the messageboard. Including some wonderful extra reading including a fabulous piece from an Everton historian on Jack Southworth.

Delighted with the early response and voting. Hopefully the names are bringing back some old stories or even introducing you to new ones. A favourite of mine during my research was of Jack Southworth from an Everton website. The Original Maestro in more ways than one! https://efcheritagesociety.com/maestro-the-jack-southworth-story/ With Les Graham (who some may remember?) in 1950. Jack made a return to Ewood after a ten year absence due to disagreements with the committee.

Naturally, but we're trying to come up with a definitive 150 names.

For clarity and frames of reference this project started in the summer. Thanks to The Lancashire (Evening) Telegraph, BBC. The Books of Mike Jackman and Harry Berry. The FA and Scottish FA websites, Spartacus Eductaional, England Football Online. The National Football Museum and others who have added personal oral histories. I'd also heartily recommend and thank the Staff and volunteers at Blackburn Library and in particular their website http://www.cottontown.org Under the guidance of Mike Sumner they Break down and add more detail to the nominees and other figures of each era from 1880s-1990s. Huge thanks to Mike. https://www.cottontown.org/Culture and Leisure/Sport/Pages/Blackburn-Rovers-Players-1880s-to-1990s.aspx

The question is simple. "Which 150 names tell the Rovers story? From 1875 to 2025…" ⚪️🔵 These can be heroes, villains, players, officials, owners, fans. Any person who you feel is integral to Rovers past, present and future - to go onto a DEFINITIVE LIST as chosen by BRFCS Members. For posterity, for lively discussion and debate…& quite possibly…merchandise 😉 There is currently a “shortlist” (!) of 225 names*. The Polls will be split into nine different eras. And will be open from Wednesday to Wednesday for the next nine weeks. Part One: The Foundation Years - 1875-1900 - (15th October - 22nd October) Part Two: 20th Century and Post World War I - 1900-1930 - (22nd October - 29th October) Part Three: Inter War and Post World War II - 1930-1950 (29th October - 5th November) Part Four: The Boomer Generation - 1950 - 1970 (5th November - 12th November) Part Five: The Seventies - 1970 - 1980 (12th November - 19th November) Part Six: The Eighties and Three Points Era - 1980-1992 (19th November - 26th November) Part Seven: The Early Premier League and Jack Walker Era - 1992 - 2000 (26th November - 3rd December) Part Eight: The Walker Trust and later Premier League Era - 2000 - 2012 (3rd December - 10th December) Part Nine: The Venky's and EFL Era - 2012 - 2025 (10th December - 17th December) Your job as a Forum, is to help us whittle down these suggestions by choosing who you think deserves to make our definitive list. You can vote as many times as you like (but we suggest no more than say, 5 votes per list), only the top voted names/figures will make the final cut. *This list has been created by myself and has been corroborated with the help of @Herbie6590 @4,000 Holes @Fred Cumpstey along with several other fans and commentators on and off the message boards. Thanks for all the assistance.

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List Part One: The Foundation Years - 1875-1900 Poll runs from - 15th October to 22nd October. Some additional notes John Lewis - Club Founder. Arthur Constantine - Club Founder. Walter Duckworth - First Club Secretary. Thomas Greenwood - First Club Captain. Joe Lofthouse - 4 x FA Cup Winner - 7 England Caps - Blackburn born forward who would enjoy huge success at the club. Hugh McIntyre - 3 x FA Cup Winner - Captain of the cup winners in 1883/84. McIntyre would also play in the two Rovers final victories that followed in 1884/85 and 1885/86. A fine defender who also kept wicket for Lancashire CCC. Would retire to become a successful hotelier in 1886. Joe Sowerbutts - 3x FA Cup Winner - Career strangely halted by professionalism which forced him out of the club. Born on Shear Brow he would later become an insurance clerk in the town. Remained a fan until his death. Fergus (Fergie Suter) - 3x FA Cup Winner - subject of 'The English Game' on Netflix. Jimmy Brown - 3x FA Cup Winner - First hat-trick goalscorer in Rovers history and two time FA Cup winning captain. John (Jack) Barton - 2x FA Cup Winner - 1 England Cap - Quoted as 'played a great game' in the 1890 Cup final. His medal is on display in the foyer at Ewood Park Herbie Arthur - 4x FA Cup Winner - 7 England Caps - Blackburn born goalkeeper, a successful businessman after his career ended. Jimmy Douglas - 3x FA Cup Winner - 1 Scotland Cap - Played in 4 out 5 FA Cup Finals in a row for Rovers, missed out on selection for the 1891 Final. Nat Walton - 3x FA Cup Winner - 1 England Cap - Overlooked for the 1884 and 1885 Cup Finals, Walton finally got his chance to shine in the 1886 Cup Replay where Rovers defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0. Walton claimed his second and third winners medals in the 1890 and 1891 finals. Jack Southworth - 2x FA Cup Winner - 3 England caps. Retired to become a member of the Pier Pavilion Orchestra in Llandudno. A goal every 0.92 games for the prolific striker. William 'Billy' Townley - 2x FA Cup Winner - 2 England Caps. Only Townley and Ian Rush have scored in more than 4 FA Cup Finals. A fine playing career was followed by a hugely impactful coaching career which took Townley to Germany with Bayern Munich, Switzerland and the Netherlands. John Forbes - 2x FA Cup Winner - 5 Scotland Caps - Rapid defender won back to back FA Cup Finals with Rovers in 1890 and 1891. Jimmy Forrest - 5x FA Cup Winner - 11 England Caps. Winner of five F.A. Cup winning medals equaling the record set by Lord Kinnaird (also of 'The English Game'). Went onto become a club director in his later years. Thomas Mitchell - Secretary (effectively the manager) of back to back FA Cup wins in 1889/90 and 1890/91. George Dewar - 2x FA Cup Winner - 7 Scotland Caps - Gave up his international ambitions to move down to Blackburn (players outside of Scotland weren't picked for international duty) but rewarded with medals. Harry Chippendale - 1 England Cap - Blackburn born winger also worked at Hornby's Brookhouse Cotton Mill in the town where he eventually became manager. Known for his speed and crossing abilities. George 'Geordie' Anderson - Inspirational centre half and captain would make 200 appearances for the club in the late 20th Century. Tom Brandon - FA Cup Winner in 1891. Brandon was the first Rovers player to represent Scotland whilst playing for the club. Made a total of 245 League appearances in Blue and White.

The ‘Legends’ game feels like a disaster waiting to happen. As part of a more detailed Anniversary celebration season (and with more confidence in the club) I’d perhaps be a little excited. This will be Rovers’ “Fyre Festival”

We don't talk about Kargbo, no, no, no, We don't talk about Kargbo! Tough start to his Rovers career for the Sierra Leonean. 6 starts, 10 substitute appearances. zero goals, two assists. Confidence in the gutter, another costly mistake last night. Is he Semir Telalovic 2.0?

Through First 18 League Games Kean, Black, Berg, Appleton - All didn't reach 18 Championship League Games as Rovers boss in the Venkys era Bowyer P18 W6 D6 L6 F25 A25 Pts 24 GD 0 Lambert P18 W6 D5 L7 F18 A17 Pts 23 GD +1 Coyle P18 W5 D4 L9 F20 A27 Pts 19 GD -7 Mowbray* (* At Championship level) P18 W6 D9 L3 F20 A18 Pts 27 GD +2 Tomasson P18 W11 D0 L7 F23 A18 Pts 33 GD +5 Eustace** (** Does not include the Stoke City game - arguments made for and against its conclusion, but most credit the victory to Damien Johnson/David Lowe - despite Eustace already being appointed as manager) P18 W4 D9 L5 F21 A22 Pts 21 GD -1 Ismael P18 W6 D3 L9 F19 A22 Pts 21 GD -3 In a different era that feels a lifetime ago and just for fun Souness*** (*** In Division One at the end of 1999/2000 and the start of the 2000/01 season) P18 W6 D7 L5 F27 A20 Pts 25 GD +7

Some early feedback as the shirts are now out for delivery.

More than you'd think, but not enough for a Mods trip to Barbados?

Full data from Gary Bowyer to present

My own stats admittedly but Coyle definitely had 29 points from 31 games before he was sacked. Last Championship game he had was vs. Sheffield Wednesday (a) 14/2/17 My table obviously doesn't award points for cup wins!

As a keen statistician myself I am seeing some wrong information being shown. A lot of the Coyle v Ismael stats is like comparing apples to pears. League games only show their own details. Coyle had 7 wins in 31. Ismael has 5 in 17. Also key to note with Coyle’s overall record is cup wins, of which he had 4 of his 11 wins in cup competitions (beating Crewe, Mansfield, Blackpool and QPR)

Leonard has made just 10 starts for Rovers since breaking into the team at Huddersfield 10th April 2023. His last Championship start for Rovers was away at West Brom 13/1/24 under JDT! I agree with the majority that feel there is a player in there, but 10 starts in two and a bit seasons shows his lack of availability.

Rovers have played just 14 Championship games since Norwich City last visited Ewood on 1st March (for Ismael's first game in charge) the team that day was Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Ribero; Forshaw (Tronstad), Travis; Dolan (Dennis), Cantwell (Weimann), Kargbo (Hedges); Gueye (Ohashi). Of the 16 players used that day 6 have left (or are due to leave e.g. Pears) 3 of the 4 unused subs have also departed - Rankin-Costello, Woodrow and Sanderson. Only Toth remains Carter and Forshaw unlikely to feature due to injury Leaving just 8 survivors from only fourteen games ago! The grand reset has happened quickly!

Swiss 3rd tier….hell be back on our radar soon!

@4000Holes and @Herbie6590 👀🤣

Having seen the shirt in real life and dealing with clothing as a full time profession, I'd like to endorse the quality of the garment. The colours, the collar stitching, the cuffs, hem stitch is all of a high standard. Sign me up for one Ian!

Was this taken before or after? 👀

Is it true that @Herbie6590 and @4000Holes are entering the competition again this season.....but representing Derby? Have heard rumblings.... ITKer 😆 Great effort guys. Niall from Wanderers was too strong

Love it! Thanks for the translation @UncleBill😁

Interesting the fans chant at the end to the tune of ABBA's "Lay all your love on me" Axel Nils Hen-rik-sson

Shameless use of a baby....sorry son!