League match 31 of the season was a home game against Birmingham City. City were major promotion rivals, and with recent defeats Rovers were desperate for the three points to bring some impetus back into the promotion push, whilst depriving Birmingham of points too. March 16th 1985 brought 10,000 odd to Ewood to see a patchy performance from the home team, and indeed we went behind early in the first half. Scapegoat John Lowey, who had been a target for the Riverside boo boys most of the season equalised before half time, and Simon Barker grabbing the winner in the 2nd. The there points kept us second, but as it was only our second league in 1985 things were getting very tight-and very nervy. Recognise the Birmingham keeper?

Not sure of the whereabouts of the book right now, since the baby came and having moved house 4 times in the last year. Things have been a bit bizarre...however, finally back to Jones towers next weekend so should be sorted and unpack a few boxes, which should reveal the final stages of this roller coaster ride of season. Stay tuned folks!

I won't have any criticism of the The Verve please, worthwhile or not, as Dicky lived next door to my cousin when we were kids, and last year we sold McCabe an instrument which was used on the last album, so any slagging off is really a slur on me.

First chance to get out for a while this weekend. Went here a few years ago, and returned this Saturday lunch time, the El Rincon De Rafa off Deansgate in Manchester. Subterranean and cosy, staffed by Spaniards, offering excellent seafood an a wide range of Tapas too. Fresh, quick, clean and courteous, would recommend to all for either a lunch time pit stop out shopping(as we did) , or for a proper meal in the evening.

I watched Dead Mans Shoes last night, one of Shane Meadows earlier films. Absolutely gripping, terrifying and brilliant. Cost £1.99 from Oxfam too.

Lucas scored a penalty just before half time, and took it so coolly, just a simple walk up and side foot-class! When Bentley scored his hat trick goal just after the break, I went into a trance like state, as the years of hammerings and injustice at the hands of United and their fans began to melt away, Rovers 4-1 up against the @#/?s! Ruud Van Horseface came on and paggered us for a bit, but we hung on and when the whistle went-such joy. Highlight was of course Rio Ferdinand cockily back heading in his own area to Van Der Saar, only for VDS to be right behind him, and allowing Bentley to tap the ball in in front of 7,000 manc sumbags! Enjoy-

The thing about the internet is the availability on demand of virtually anything you want to see. EG Want to see the view from Blackpool Tower but afraid of heights? Just use YouTube and search for Blackpool Tower. Loads of videos to look at. OR The Empire State Building, and this short doc in particular is a real jaw dropper. Joe McNally. Watch it all the way through.

Have a look in here, loads of old shirts. Bit pricey mind. Old Shirts Website.

Why not launch them at David when he turns out at Ewood for the Spurs, whilst crying your eyes out. If he plays that is.

The next two games I have no reports for I'm afraid. They were away a midweek game at Brighton, lost 3-1 and away at Oldham , lost 2-0. Didn't manage the trip to Brighton, but I went to Oldham on the Saturday. The usual poor performance, stood on the slag heap away end. Anybody go to either of these two games?

Mike Newell Just got the Grimsby job. Something fishy about that appointment ha ha ha .

The photos have not come up too great, but here they are.

I will try and do something with the images on the City report, see if I can bring them up a bit better on Photoshop etc.

The next game at home to Manchester City I decided to make a day of it. I had a City supporting friend, who shall remain nameless, lets call him Fatneck Beefy. Me, Beefy and Richard Houghton, who was/is an Everton fan went to Blackburn on the bus, the 124 from Chorley. I may be wrong, but I think Alexei Sayle mentions the 124 from Chorley to Blackburn in his book- 50 Worst Bus Journeys In The World, along side the number 38 from Trinity New Mexico to a safe bunker 200 yards away and the Night Service for Honkeys from Compton to South Central. Arriving at the Bouley in good spirits, we headed to the Wine lodge, for the same, as being from Chorley we had high standards in our drinking holes. Chorley wine lodge was an all time classic,a proper sawdust and spit joint, with a railed queuing system on which most banks and post offices now employ. Anyway, several pints later, we walked the seemingly 49 miles to Ewood on our reverse beer scooters, and got to the ground in good time-it was still only 2pm. So fat beefy went to the Darwen End, and me and Rich into the Blackburn End, and stood on an empty terrace , ######, for an hour as it filled up. I even climbed on the crash barrier at one point, and began a one man abuse song of the one man away end at beefy. But a steward told me off and made me get down. Before kick off, we were top of the table, with City just behind us, a win for them would take them top. By the time the match kicked off, the ground was absolutely packed, more so than the United cup game a week or two ago, it was seriously jammed in the Blackburn End and all the ground looked the same. Throughout the game, there were many sporadic outbreaks of violence on the terraces, in the BBE, the Riverside and even the enclosure. It was pretty mad even by the standards of the mid 80s, and the game was held up by the ref at one point. Can't remember too much detail of the game, except for Kinseys lucky goal, from a deflection or rebound into the BBE, which prompted the biggest round of fighting all afternoon. Massive surges of Rovers fans lurched forward to the bottom right as you look down, trying to get their hands on City interlopers in big sheepskin coats and Adidas Sambas, Rom, and Forest Hills! After the game, the Moss Side gangs came piling down Bolton Road looking or more aggro, and we got chased into Ewood WMC and got away without a stabbing or similar. Evening Post report, which is in poor condition, see next post for the end bit a little clearer.

Tris there was a half hour prog a week or so ago on Metallica, BBC3 or 4 I think-possibly even ITV , about how they have grown up. Not a big fan, but found it very interesting. If it was BBC then it may be repeated soon, in fact it maybe be on their www.

It has been the subject of speculation about a move to Newcastle United. According to NE journo Oliver Alan, they are looking at bringing the large percussion piece in to replace a fat lad from Wallsend, who fell out with the board over installing patio heaters on the stantions at St James.

Agreed, but it may further enhance Blackburns image as a Royston Vasey!

Of course you did Warren... ..thought it was Martin Caddick actually! Anyway, the FA cup run (if three games constitutes a run) was over so back to more the more pressing issue of the annual fight against promotion. After the Fulham victory, the thought was that we were back on track. February 23rd saw us match up to Oxford United for the fifth time this season, and not surprisingly the game provided poor fodder for the returning Match Of The Day TV cameras. Oxford had slipped up of late, two straight 1-0 defeats at Palace and Fulham, so were looking at the chance to strike back at top of the table Rovers, with these new fangled 3 points for a win system! The Bald Eagles team scored early, and it took Rovers an hour to come to terms with them and force an equaliser-Quinn again with the notch. The Guardian report below mentions the quality of Simon Barker, who was playing well at this time and running most things in our midfield. "He was erratic, and consequently the source of much additional frustration" wrote Erlend Clouston. So basically the Riverside gave him dogs abuse is what he meant. Our time at the top of Division two was coming to an end...with a massive massive game next week at home to Manchester City.

Bill-injurylawyersforyou.com is waiting to hear from you. Your injury is on a par with recent claims we have completed successfully for clients with Vibration White Finger. A company the size of Blackburn Rovers will have very deep pockets, and are very keen on good PR-just search the internet for Multi Faith Prayer Room.

Agreed RE Shane Meadows. Somers Town is out soon? and was well reviewed last weekend. Has the boy Turgoose in again, whom I thoroughly enjoyed in the uncomfortable This Is England. Always great soundtracks too.

Given up on a summer now, it's bank holiday weekend coming up this week too. Very depressing.

There are more this morning, from his brother.

Despite the failure with the claim for Dahlin, it seems some insurance claims are worth the paper they're written on. Boros premiums look set to shoot up, as young Utd player wins millions. Man Utd Player wins claim.

Ex Rover Barry Ferguson is about to be knocked out of Europe in Lithuania, coverage here on BBC.