As someone from the slightly newer generation (*) who only really remembers from the League Cup victory onwards, my hierarchy of dislike was always Burnley, then Man United, then Bolton. I'm nowhere near as frequent an attendee as I was as a kid these days, but the reasons perhaps Preston never really land on my radar is that for just over a decade we never played them (unless I've missed some odd Cup tie somewhere). Ditto Blackpool, Wigan in similar regards.

Funnily enough mind, my very first Rovers memory is from the 00-01 season when we went 3-0 at home to PNE in about 20 mins.

(*) - at Watford away this season I clocked from their programme notes on us that I am indeed older than every current Rovers player . That was an eye opener!

Bolton Wanderers landed me in hospital a couple of years ago. Thought they were going bust and I detached a lung laughing.

Currently en-route to Norwich to make a long weekend of this. Lovely city though it is I really hope Rovers make it a worthwhile trip!

To paraphrase Christopher Hitchens: If you gave them an enema, they'd fit in a matchbox.

Yes, Man United staying in this seeming drunken stagger of an existence is fine by me too. Them losing will never not be funny and the fact that their transfer policies of the last few years have gone about as badly as was possible is the cherry atop a mighty fine cake.

Them winning the League Cup last year to seemingly steady their ship and instead just sinking again makes it that bit sweeter really.

TL;DR: Fuck Man United 

Should be a statue of John Coleman outside Accrington Town Hall, worked beyond miracles at that club for well over two decades all in.

That went well.

31 minutes ago, Blow-in said:

Didn't Edgar Davids play for a conference league team before he eventually retired?

Love of the game or gambling problem? Hopefully love of the game.

27 minutes ago, Blow-in said:

I looked it up he had 2 seasons playing for Barnet played 36 games.

Wore the number 1 shirt, and apparently to be called 'Sir' whilst there.

3 hours ago, Darmond said:

I committed to going to the first game Rovers Women had in this division a few seasons ago and it ended up being away v Lewes. We made a weekend of it, the sun was out and it's a great little ground with lots of character (The Dripping Pan) as it's got beach huts you can watch the game from and the club are very strong on their community values. I mean we got whooped in the game but beyond that, it was a fun day.

August '19? I was there too with a friend who lives down that way. Lovely ground and Harvey's ales on tap were upsides to a rather depressing 5-1 loss; but thankfully it wasn't too much of an indicator of the coming years!

I have since seen the Ladies/Women a few times since and hope to be up at Leyland next week. I must admit I find it a bit hard to get drawn to the fixtures played at Ewood, Bramall Lane, Madejski etc. whilst attendances don't necessarily justify it - much more engaging and atmospheric when you're packed into the smaller venues I find (see Bamber Bridge, Durham, Lewes, Palace before moving to Sutton etc.). 

On 07/07/2023 at 13:53, Gav said:

I was fortunate enough to attend the Old Firm game at Ibrox at the end of last season and although it was pretty much a dead rubber, with no away fans, the atmosphere and experience was superb. 

We are off again to watch them play Aberdeen in the early part of the season, if you get the chance, go and see the old firm, you'll not regret it. 

Ps - Glasgow is a great city too, one of the best, food isn't bad either - https://www.crabshakk.co.uk/

 

Was your The Rangers v. Aberdeen trip the one today?

2 hours ago, Hasta said:

They spent about 70 years at the very lowest level they possibly could, hence the stat, but yeah since they started climbing the pyramid they’ve never gone back down a level until today.

Oh yeah I knew it wasn't some incredible adventure they'd been on over the years, but it's still not a bad go! Gainsborough Trinity managed 145 years until 2018, primarily through being 'unelected', laterally transferred between leagues, and being stuck at the glass ceiling below the Football League.

Isn't this the first time ever Morecambe have been relegated? Not bad for a club over 100 years old!

About the PA system, does it form any part of our emergency evacuation procedure or similar? I would have thought if it did it would have to be maintained and inspected as per the likes of emergency lighting and what have you...?

1 minute ago, toogs said:

Can’t even have a convo with my 80 year old Dad because of the noise levels. Another erosion of the matchday experience. 
Bit by bit they seem to be pushing me away from supporting Rovers. 🤷🏻

Aye it does my head in too. Like in pubs, if the place is any decent it doesn't need to have anything louder than 'background noise'. When the teams are coming out and what have you it's a different matter of course.

51 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

I assume because they still wanted to pay lip service at least to the 3pm blackout.

Given the amount of games they'll have to broadcast, they've basically abolished Saturday 3pm anyway!

7 minutes ago, arbitro said:

The game was certainly entertaining as both teams 'had a right good go'. Well done to Gary Bowyer who I like as a bloke but just didn't rate him as our manager. His noble deed of escorting Coyle through the celebrating Dundee fans was disappointing. He should have left the twonk to make his own way through the hordes 😉. I heard the Dundee fans singing 'Cheer up Owen Coyle' several times. Sounds like his gob has been running away with itself again.

He has a reputation up there for never being quiet for more than 10 seconds on the touchline too.

Intrigued as to where all these televised matches go in the schedule... Friday night for the 'showstopper' then pitted against BT's offerings/PL matches for the remainder? More Thursday/Monday matches...?

Shite for the actual fans who like to go to the ground, but hey ho...

7 hours ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

I think the poor lad's cursed. If his shot at Sheff U in the FA Cup had gone in instead of hitting the inside of the post we'd have gone 3-1 up and had a Wembley semi booked. With hindsight, that was the turning point of our season. 

That moment still replays in my head, literally half an inch to the left and we go to Wembley, and doubtless the morale boost benefits our subsequent League matches.

43 minutes ago, wilsdenrover said:

It’s fourth vs third (2 legs)

Second vs winner of above (2 legs)

Eleventh in Prem vs winner of above (2 legs)

Winner of that promoted/not relegated

Aye, a complete fiddle to favour the 11th-placed side in the top flight sadly. Under the present system, no team has ever finished 3rd or 4th and gone up.

Pleased with this evening. Bowyer did Coyle and my Scottish team Ayr got the best finish possible!

5 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Portman Road isn’t a happy hunting ground for Rovers. I can’t recall many wins there.

Don't seem to have much luck out that way... don't we have a similar record at Carrow Road?

I've never been to Home Park or Portman Road, so I for one welcome the return of our Pilgrim and Tractor Boy bretheren.

Friday night coming sees Queen's Park, managed by a certain O. Coyle and going for a third promotion in as many years, play Dundee, managed by a certain G. Bowyer, for a winner takes all promotion tie in the Scottish Championship.

(A draw sees Dundee go up!)

6 hours ago, Penwortham Blue said:

Fuck me, pot and kettle. That twat Wagner and Huddersfield got us relegated when they made 10 changes against Big club, having already secured their play off spot.

I must disagree with the bit in bold, that absolves any of the wankers involved at our end of any blame. Hudds may not have aided our predicament but they were under no obligation to do so. If you can't amass enough points after 46 games to stay up then the only ones to blame are those staring back at you in the mirror IMO.

17 minutes ago, Blow-in said:

Under age English job sounds about right and when Southgate moves on Chaddy can wave the give to Fran flag, he knows the setup and has been to a major tournament as a player....

Doesn't he, or didn't he, hold the record for the most shots at the World Cup without ever scoring?