I believe ex Rover Ally Dawson passed away today at the tender age of 63. We never really saw the best of him after he suffered a horrendous head injury while playing for Rangers but I still have fond memories of his time playing under the Don. RIP Ally

I think Barks might have beaten Paddy to it to be honest but they were obviously contemporaries and there wouldn’t have been much in it. They were great pals back in the day and as far as I know still are.

Mid 80s. He broke into the first team at a very young age but didn’t feature much once the Don arrived. Edit- he didn’t feature much once Scottie Sellars arrived.

For anyone who can’t access the launch video or can’t be arsed watching it, here’s a fairly clear pic of the ace away shirt.

Paul Weller - Dust and Rocks

Ha ha yep, spot on Tony. Quite a few Darwen blokes get a mention, Steve Eggy most frequently (not surprisingly)

Ha ha - he names him in the book Tony!! Are you thinking JD?

I did help to edit it Tony, as well as helping him out with a few names and childhood memories/escapades, so I am lucky enough to have already read it. I can guarantee that Rovers fans and especially as you say - Darreners of a certain age - will love it. His description of Blacksnape and the Darwen League is absolutely bang on the money 🥶

I went to Burnden Park a few times in the 70s and 80s with Mark Patterson (before he played for Rovers, we would have been about 12 - 16 years old). It was easily the most scared I was as a young Rovers fan, Manchester Road was brutal and the 225 Ribble bus always got bricked a few times as well between Bolton and Darwen on the way back. Patty mentions it in his forthcoming book (called 'Old School') which is published in October and available here https://www.brownsbfs.co.uk/Product/Patterson-Mark/Old-School--The-Mark-Patterson-Story/9781908847256# Much of the book is devoted to Howard Kendall and Bob Saxton's time at the club, with a little bit of the Don Mackay era thrown in too. I always found it funny that he ended up playing for both teams, including captaining Bolton in that famous victory over us when we were the reigning champions.

Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine

David McWilliams - Days of Pearly Spencer

I’m worried too mate but despite today’s scoreline to describe that starting eleven as a league 2 team is hyperbolic.

I understand the point you are making but that’s a stretch to be honest. Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Pickering and Davenport are all better than League 2. If we could guarantee that 11 started every game in the championship we would probably be mid table.

Robert Knight - Love On a Mountain Top

But I thought Scotland had won the euros? Wonder what their open top bus parade was all about then? 😂

Reading some of these relationship/custody situations is quite upsetting to be honest. There doesn’t need to have been alcohol or addiction involved either. In my situation being a ‘bad husband’ was confluted with being a bad father by my ex wife, which is unforgivable and unfair. My lads are 32 and 27 now and there are still difficulties. Thank God for the Rovers 😂😱💙🤍

Was Not Was - Walk the Dinosaur

The Jam - Away From the Numbers

Small Faces - My Way Of Giving

I don't think those are genuine to be honest. I have no facts or evidence to back this up, but it just looks like something someone has done on their computer to me.

Generation X - Valley Of The Dolls

Sorry to hear this mate. My older brother was an alcoholic from being a teenager to his death at just 41. The effect on the rest of the family, not least my parents, was devastating. As you say, its a dreadful illness and may I also say a thin line that many of us tread.

I managed to get an early sight of the interim report from this review and I think it is fair to say that Tracey Crouch and the panel have listened to the evidence put forward very carefully and some of the draft recommendations do address some of the specific points made in the Rovers Trust submission. I understand the interim report will be available today, and when it is I will post details here. Edit: here it is https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fan-led-review-of-football-governance-interim-findings-and-recommendations

Its a good idea on the face of it.....however would this mean that Brereton er I mean Diaz is guaranteed selection under these circumstances?

Stumbled across this just now - it sounds more like John Lennon than John Lennon himself!