rog of the rovers

Another fine piece by friend of BRFCS/4000 Holes Rob Sawyer (an Everton historian) on Mick Heaton. https://efcheritagesociety.com/easy-the-mick-heaton-story-rob-sawyer/ More Rovers/Everton links!

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List Part Five: The Seventies 1970-1980 Poll runs from - 12th to 19th November 2025 Some additional notes - Though any personal feedback is greatly appreciated Dates determined by when the player or manager left the club. Johnny Carey - Popular Irishman lead Rovers back to Division 1 after finishing runners up in 1957/58. Carey left for Everton the following season before an reunion in 1970/71 as Rovers slid down into Division 3. Eamonn Rogers - 14 Republic of Ireland Caps whilst at the club - Inside forward turned midfielder one of the shining lights in a struggling side in the late 60s/early 70s. Ken Knighton - Journeyman defender joined from Preston North End and quickly established himself as half-back at the club. Sold to Hull City as Rovers were relegated to the third tier in 1970/71. Allan Hunter - 6 Northern Ireland Caps - Talented defender in a struggling side, Hunter would go on to enjoy success at Ipswich Town under Bobby Robson, but is still remembered by many who saw him as a fine centre half. Billy Wilson - Long serving full back wracked up the appearances in the 60s before moving to Portsmouth where he stayed and became a publican. Fred Pickering - Blackburn born and bred, full back turned centre forward became a celebrated goalscorer with partner Andy McEvoy. John McNamee - Cult hero despite only playing for the Rovers on 57 occasions, helped Rovers avoid relegation to Division 3 in 1971/72. An 'old school' centre half helped he loved nothing more than a good tussle with a burly No. 9. Ken Furphy - Modernised Rovers after falling into division 3 - revamped an ailing/ageing squad, laid foundations for Gordon Lee. Tony Field - Cult hero, goal every 2 games for 3 seasons as Furphy tried to build a promotion side. Sold because Rovers needed the money. Famously played with Pele in his later career in the North American Soccer League for the New York Cosmos. Gordon Lee - Huge impact in his season and a half at Ewood. The respected motivator got the best out of his players and was rewarded with the Third Division championship in Rovers' centenary year. Don Martin - Signed to much fanfare Martin had a career of two halves at Ewood with a badly broken ankle injury in 1970 in the middle. Largely remembered for his later spell as his performances and goals under Gordon Lee in 1974/75 helped Rovers win the 3rd Division title. Roger Jones - Division 3 Champion 1975 - One of Rovers' finest goalkeepers, capable of World Class saves and an ever present record. A top 5 all time Rovers keeper. Ken Beamish - Rare example of a player having more impact off the field post his playing career as Commercial Manager in the fruitful Jack Walker/Walker Trust era. Beamish the player had his moments too. John Byrom - Blackburn born Byrom saw his early career dogged by pay disputes and injury. However, upon his return to the starting lineup in 1964, Byrom hit the ground running with 27 goals in 64/65. Byrom left in 1966 as Rovers slumped to Division 2, but returned in 76/77 before finally retiring. Still lives in the area. Mick Heaton - Division 3 Champion 1975 - The captain of that Centenary side, enjoyed even greater success as a coach with Everton in the 1980s alongside Howard Kendall. Mick Wood - Division 3 Champion 1975 - Versatile left back/defender/midfielder had an injury plagued career at the club but was still fit enough to contribute when available throughout the 1970s. Graham Hawkins - Division 3 Champion 1975 - Signed from Preston North End, Hawkins would play a huge role in promotion that season before later spells as a coach and even time as a club scout in the 1990s. Jim Smith - Arguably sent out the most attacking Rovers teams in living memory - instrumental in developing John Bailey & Kevin Hird as two of the best overlapping full back outside of Division 1. Many will remember Smith as Derby County manager in the Premier League in the 1990s. John Bailey - Great left back, sold as Rovers needed the money. Kevin Hird - Great right back, sold as Rovers needed the money. John Waddington - Division 3 Champion 1975 - Long serving defender, born in Darwen. Tall, a fierce tackler and excellent in the air. Tony Parkes - Mr Blackburn Rovers. Player, coach, assistant manager, caretaker manager (five times) Tony did the lot with distinction and pride. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee. Parkes could fit into Section 5, 6, 7 and 8! But he makes his mark here as surely the easiest vote in the poll. Calls for the Riverside to bear his name continue to gain support. Dave Wagstaffe - The mere mention of the name 'Waggy' brings smiles to faces. His magical left 'peg' and long passes won hearts and minds in East Lancashire. Other names from this era that didn't quite make the list are welcome in the chat. Howard Kendall, Stuart Metcalfe, Jim Arnold, Andy Crawford and Duncan McKenzie who straddle the late 70s/ early 80s will feature in part 6. Derek Fazackerley will also feature next week.

Last couple of days to vote. Bill Eckersley leading the charge (bar Clayton and Douglas)

Been on Radio Derby on our behalf, hopefully a fair assessment https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002lbpf?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Unfortunately they are the Rovers story of the past 15 years!

Do the 'Legends' actually have a full team? 13 confirmed names? Mimms, Hendry, Kilgallon, Bentley, Dunn, Atkins, MGP, Newell, Rhodes, Gallacher, Derbyshire, Conway, Evans

Some clips from the 1950s and 1960s Cup runs. Including Rovers in black and white stripes? Say it aint so @Herbie6590

Just over 24 hours til kick off, no sign of any official announcement with regards to the White Maltese Cross shirt and the club socials showing the legends wearing the blue n white halves with a gold patch printed in the middle of the shirt. Everything points towards the obvious. The 150th Shirt isn't coming folks....at least not tomorrow!

Some accompanying articles from 4000 Holes @4000Holes and the magnificent @Fred Cumpstey Derek Dougan https://www.brfcs.com/articles/cheyenne-dougan-the-greatest-showman Mick McGrath https://www.brfcs.com/articles/mick-mc-grath Mike Ferguson https://www.brfcs.com/articles/fantastic-fergie-i'd-walk-a-million-miles Andy McEvoy https://www.brfcs.com/articles/magnificent-mcevoy Eddie Quigley https://www.brfcs.com/articles/eddie-quigley-the-master-craftsman

Carey another who sneaks into next week as he came back in 70/71. Tough to make some date breaks, but the 70s list is far less illustrious than this one 👀 as I’m sure you’ll be able to predict!

You are correct, born in Wigan, died in Barrow-in-Furness after becoming a teacher in the town. From Wikipedia A wonderful story! You wouldn't see that in 2025

Cracking work @Shirt of two halves I definitely feel a 'field trip' coming on! Also interesting to see how close it was to Alexandra Meadows, I wonder what the committee/members made of 'the big move' as they relocated just down the road. Staying close isn't such a modern idea after all? Also sort of removes the idea of the slope if the pitch was further down towards Granville Road?

Into the living memory and it all gets exciting from here on in. Looking forward to hearing the opinions of those who remember this period with fondness like @bazza @Fred Cumpstey @jim mk2 @47er @Tyrone Shoelaces @GHD and no doubt countless others. As a nearly 40 year old Rovers fan myself I remember stories from my grandfather and also my dad (who would have started going in this period) some HUGE Rovers names. Clayton, Douglas, England, Newton, Ferguson, Harrison, Eckersley, Briggs, McGrath.... going to be an interesting list!

Absolutely, Pickering makes his appearance next week as he left (his second spell) in the 70s. He’s one of the real quirks of the dates along with teammate John Byrom who also had two spells and is in next weeks 70s list.

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List Part Four: The Boomer Generation 1950-1970 Poll runs from - 5th to 12th November 2025 Some additional notes - Though we are (finally) very much into living memory territory. Dates determined by when the player or manager left the club. Eddie Quigley - Served Rovers as a player, manager and scout over 30 years. Reg Elvy - Signed from Bolton, Elvy would become a key fixture between the sticks in the early 1950s making over 100 consecutive League appearances after joining Rovers. Bobby Langton - Division 2 Champion 1939 - 7 England Caps - Electric forward with a ferocious shot. Jackie Campbell - Popular Liverpudlian defender. 'Nudge' (as he was affectionately known) made the wing half position his own for more than a decade at Ewood. Eddie Crossan - 3 Northern Ireland Caps - Magical inside forward, the scorer of great goals despite a modest record of goals in total. Tommy Briggs - Fearsome marksman, scorer of 7 goals in a game vs Bristol Rovers at Ewood. Roy Vernon - 9 Wales Caps - An icon of the late 1950s at Rovers, combination of play maker and predator. Left to join a magnificent Everton side in 1960. Bill Eckersley - 17 England Caps - Arguably Rovers' finest left back, one club man. His ashes were spread over the pitch at Ewood following his untimely death aged 57 in 1982. Peter Dobing - Left Rovers aged 22 with over 200 appearances and 100 goals under his belt. Went on to enjoy League Cup success with Stoke City in the 70s. Derek Dougan - A contender for most disliked Rovers player of all time. Didn't take to the town, famously criticising its "dourness" and handed in a transfer request on the eve of the 1960 FA Cup Final. Dougan played in the final despite carrying an injury. Withdrew his request the following year, but left for Villa at the end of the 1960/61 season. A clear non favourite, but can you "tell the Rovers story" without him? Harry Leyland - Goalkeeper in the 1960 FA Cup Final. An ever present during his five years at the club, the Scouse stopper was Man of the Match as Rovers beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in the Semi Final to book a trip to Wembley. Ally MacLeod - Signed by Carey in 1956, the Glaswegian winger helped Rovers to Division 2 promotion in 57/58 as runners up and would enjoy five fine seasons at Ewood. MacLeod was a cup hero as his goals in the quarter finals in 1958 and 1960 against Liverpool and Burnley respectively sent Rovers through to the next round. A runners up medal in 1960 also a cup memory. Matt Woods - Ever present as Rovers were promoted back to Division 1 in 1957/58. Model professional and excellent at Centre half. Mike England - 20 Wales Caps - One of the finest defenders of his era, would win major honours after leaving Ewood and joining Bill Nicholson's famous Tottenham team of the 1960s. Mick McGrath - 18 Republic of Ireland Caps - Had the misfortune of scoring an own goal in the 1960 Cup final, but a part of the legendary back line that enjoyed success in that era. Lived in the town in after his retirement where he remained a popular figure. Fred Else - Barrovian stopper represented Rovers and North End with distinction before becoming a Geography teacher in his home town. Andy McEvoy - 17 Rep of Ireland Caps - One half of a dynamic duo with Fred Pickering, the inside forward scored 32 goals in 63/64, though equally as clinical with John Byrom in 64/65. (Pickering and Byrom are included in Week 5). Mike Harrison - Swift winger and expert penalty taker, Harrison was a fixture of the 1st Division Rovers team of the early 1960s. A member of one of the clubs best forward lines. Mike Ferguson - The outside right enjoyed a six year spell as crowd pleaser and mercurial talent. Ronnie Clayton - 35 England Caps - Rovers and England captain, Blackburn Rovers to his very bones, oozed class and integrity on and off the field. Hall of Fame inductee. Icon. The Ronnie Clayton Blackburn End bears his name. Bryan Douglas - 36 England Caps - Like Clayton another who bled Blue 'n' White. One of the best in the world in his era. Hall of Fame inductee. Icon. The Bryan Douglas Darwen End bears his name. Keith Newton - 19 England Caps - Versatile defender who would shine at Ewood before becoming another ex Rover to enjoy success down the road at Everton. Later career spent at Burnley, respected by both fans. John Connelly - Another with Rovers/Burnley links, signed from Manchester United the winger (part of the 66 World Cup squad) enthralled the fans in the late 1960s with his skill on both flanks. Other names - These include Ronnie Suart, Eric Bell, Willie Kelly, John Bray, Jack Marshall (manager), Barrie Hole, Ken Taylor and no doubt many more.

Trying some ideas for a Ryan Alebiosu t-shirt. Love this design! 😆

Or these? Going up Dukes Brow towards Revidge, opposite what was The Quarrymans (aka Duck and Puddle)

@... I assume they are these? Looking towards Billinge Woods, as though you were in the doorway of the (former) Dog Inn

Have the books been delivered yet? Intrigued to see what the content is like on the inside. I haven't ruled out buying one, but the lack of clarity over the content put me off buying on the presale.

Some amateur sleuthing for my uncle, he’s a keen historian and grew up in the area, but obviously it’s hard to confirm. Some solid ideas though I think?!

A weekend bump to this thread with a couple of YouTube clips.

Alas not, though he’s probably a distant relation. Whiteside a very popular last name on the Fylde coast. A relation of mine, way back, moved from Poulton to teach at Osbaldeston school, my side has been in Blackburn ever since. I do often think “if he hadn’t moved to take that job….would I be a Rovers fan? Probably not.” A nice personal family tale from my family was that my great grandfather Walter, his father (my great great grandad) and his brother all tried to get tickets for the 1928 FA Cup final. Only the sons got them. Ever the dutiful son Walter gave up his ticket so his dad could go in his place.

No wanting to sway any votes obviously, but another brilliant read from our archives. This time from everyones favourite Buffalonian, Rick Lewis. https://www.brfcs.com/articles/a-deserved-legend:-albert-clarke

Changed, thanks for pointing this out! You can really see the patterns of names in the lists so far Part One was Jack and Jimmy Part Two was full of Walter and Arthur Part Three is full of Bill, Billy and Jack Part Four (spoiler alert) is full of Mike and Mick Part Five is the era of Tony!

Yes Jack's time will come when we get to the 90s. I'm confident he'll make the list 🤣. Great to see Lawrence Cotton get some recognition also, he was the Jack Walker of his day with his money and influence improving the squad, ground and bringing silverware to Ewood Park.