Shouldn't that be the TSB's cash? Exactly! See - he's been corrupted already.

Saw a programme about policing footie matches and it showed the chief copper at Oldham briefing his men before a Rovers game. This is what he said: '.............Blackburn fans come early,come in numbers and drink a lot.' Spot on!

Are the bars open or is it like those crappy UEFA games when you have to remember to take a large hip flask? Lack of information about this could easily depress the gate by several thousand on a Friday night.

A very interesting article indeed. A season ticket for the European Champions at £67 ffs !!!! Another interesting snippet, which would be of particular interest to those looking at ways of increasing our dwindling attendances, is the provision of free public transport to all supporters travelling up to 100km, or 62 miles, to the ground. A great idea - remove that particular additional cost and do away with the matchday traffic congestion problems all in one fell swoop ! which reminds me, does anyone know whatever happened to the rumoured plans to build an Ewood stop on the passing rail line? Waste of time. Went to Preston for friendly in July on a Saturday. Everyone had decided to go by train. When staff were asked why they hadn't put extra carriages on, they said they hadn't any!

Similar thing happened on Boxing Day 1982. Longside filled 2pm. Rovers fans then began entering Bee Hole End, before being identified and marched round the touchline in a never ending column to the Longside. 1-0 Garner .........who else! (Garner on his favourite ground - quote: 'Turf Moor, because I always seem to score there.')

Can anyone recall the song with the chorus that ended: '....we are the Blackburn Infantry.' ?

808 State live at North Bar, Blackburn, Tonight.

Yes. One of the links above confirms this along with a couple of old folks homes he runs.

You forgot this one....... Here's another for all you nostalgia buffs. Bury, one Tuesday evening, April 1980. 2,000 Bury fans and over 10,000 Rovers fans in a gate of over 12,000. The Manny Road End, normally occupied by home fans was completely full of Rovers fans. The lower part was a tarmac slope and the upper part was a terrace of railway sleepers which made a great trampoline - beggars belief today! Think Rovers scored a pen. The final whistle signalled a pitch invasion - Rovers won to clinch promotion. The post match warm down by the players was not ice baths, but champagne and fags in the directors' box in front of the delirious hordes from Blackburn. ........My first away game. Hooked.

Excellent article in The Times (6 October) by Martin Samuel, on the plight of the Premier League: 'Sympathy slow in coming for United now boot is on the other foot' Can someone please set up a link? Go to: thetimesonline sport columnists martinsamuel

Or: 'How to sell tickets' ........

He was! Nearer 3,000 I'd say. BTW 3-0 Speedie hat trick secured 6th place and play-offs.

I was there at that game. Great atmosphere and it was the first game I had seen under floodlights. I think that added to the novelty of the occasion. I was there. Tremendous. All seater has done away with this type of occasion.......great shame for the younger fans that missed these experiences....difficult to convey the buzz of away followings of those sizes (see phillipl's post above).

Paul BAR THE CLOWN FOR LIBEL!!

When is the squad announced?

Den Treat each pairing separately depending on the outcome of the vote. If you don't take Col and Mike, then someone else comes into the reckoning (courtesy of the spotty oiks) then the 3-5-2 debate will start all over again.......and the interest will decline.....

They're streets ahead. Elect them both and lets get on with it before we all start arguing who was left or right footed etc. Another vote will only result in confusion.

It's taking longer than I expected from you Bob but its nice to see that you are getting there. Whitebirk has already been ruled out for car parking reasons. The whole project is now on hold until the East Lancs Rapid Transit System is completed (expected approx 2040 ).

Fans are not transferable, as Butcher Bob Lord found out when he closed down Accy Stanley to get their support. They just stopped watching footie and Burnley's gate didn't benefit one jot.

The parking scheme was only put in because of the footie!

BEB, I think there was a similar situation at Boro which involved doing a slalem back onto the M-way to avoid Dibble and get to the boozer before the escort kicked in. Enjoy tomorrow night:- "don't be bitten twice, you've gotta suss suss suss suss suss suss suss the suspect device". One of my highlights (there are so many) was Carlisle (Sunday before one Christmas) using AP Coaches Of Burnley and painted claret and blue. We travelled over Shap Fell on the M6 in a snowstorm with no windscreen wipers. The Asian driver had to stop every mile and clear the screen with a long handled brush. The ale stop was Penrith. Carlisle' average gate of 6,000 was swelled to 12,000 by a 6,000 strong army from Blackburn vindicating Carlisle's decision to switch the game from Saturday to avoid Xmas shopping. There was a huge pitch invasion at half time by Rovers fans who occupied all sides of the ground (the away end only had 3 turnstiles). The trip was even rounded off with a fine victory.

American Take off the blinkers. The Russian is clearly a hard nosed businessman. He may choose not to leave the club debt free and mortgage all the assets...... .......the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

They might even need to start a campaign to 'Save the Bridge'!

And ultimately, without the backer, unable to maintain their status.

Yes phillip, But where will Chelsea be when Roman has laundered his allegedly ill gotten gains from Sibneft, got fed up of his new toy and moved on somewhere else? In a tight spot!