1 hour ago, 47er said:

You've reminded me of a great early 1960's win over Yorkshire at Old Trafford. I was a thirteen year old schoolboy at the time and I went with 2 school mates for the last day. It was a very tight contest and either side could win it.

It went right down to the last over which was to be bowled by none other than Freddie Truman, scores were very close and after 5 balls scores were level! Trumen threw everything at it but beat both batsman and keeper and it went through for 4 byes! Cue hysterical celebrations!

A huge crowd, a sunny day, a fantastic win---what more could you want?!!

 

If you were me, a win for Yorkshire! 😆 I watch and support Lancs against anyone else but when it comes down to Roses mine has been white since birth. 

1 hour ago, only2garners said:

Josh Buttler missing as well Gumboots, although he hasn't really performed in the games he did play this season.

Lending Mahmood and Parkinson to England worked well the other day as they virtually won the game by themselves with 6 wickets.

I was there - I have a Blast season ticket, and it was every bit as comprehensive as it sounds. They might need to win their last two home games next weekend to qualify though.

The Government needs to get its finger out and decide whether Lancs can increase their crowd from 25% for the Roses game next Saturday - still no decision. As a ST holder I'm alright although I have had to book a new seat in case the crowd limit remains. There are presumably thousands who still have no idea whether they can go or not.

It seems bizarre that there can be 31,000 at Lords today and 65,000 at Wembley tomorrow and yet they can't decide whether a few more can be let into Old Trafford.

Yes, we have season tickets too so will be ok but I've had to print some tickets twice because they'd anticipated being able to have larger crowds and then had to reallocate seats

We looked at the T20 squad last night deprived of Livingstone, Parkinson and Mahmood, who had all been excellent in previous games, and worried, but the team absolutely thumped Northants to move Lancs up the table to 4th. The victory was even more emphatic than the scoreline might suggest. Nice to see James Anderson there watching too

16 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Football stadiums can operate at full capacity from 19th July as Prime Minister has announced in his press conference

Unless the club hierarchy have alienated large swathes of your fans and closed half the stands

I know at least 15 people personally who do not have Internet access. I walk 5 miles every week to deliver Church notices to them. And they're the tip of the iceberg because I know that friends and relatives print copies of emailed notices to take to other church members who don't have computer access but haven't told us. If that happens in a church community of 200, how much more is it happening in a fan base of 10k?

What hurts most is that we had it and theý threw it away. Simon Orange didn't grow up a rugby fan, but he's learnt to love the sport and understand its passions. If only our owners would.  I read an article recently where he talks about the rfu or the premiership clubs needing to produce simple explanatory videos of real matches so people can understand the basics linked with free tickets so people get the bug. He stood outside the ground a few weeks ago talking with fans, welcoming them back to live rugby. Remember the days when you'd see John Williams (not the owner I know but very much his representative) standing outside Ewood chatting to delivery men or the guy cleaning the windows, and anyone who wrote to him about Rovers issues was likely to get an invite to talk it over?

I know it's rugby not football before I get another reminder, but this is what good ownership looks like!

Well, well, well, what a season it has been for so many reasons. We welcomed Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson to the club in January and I’m sure you all agree that he’s been a big success. Alex has had such an impact on and off the field and is a huge part of why we’ve reached our first Premiership semi-final in 15 years and why six of your Sharks are heading to South Africa for a Lions tour.  

We have a couple of new signings on the horizon, a brilliant group of talented, home-grown youngsters like Bevan Rodd, Ewan Ashman, James Harper, Matt Postlethwaite, Raffi Quirke, Kieran Wilkinson, Conor Doherty, Tom Roebuck and Arron Reed coming through, new contracts for Manu Tuilagi and Cam Neild and a fantastic set of coaches and backroom staff, including our new Peak Performance coach Jamie Langley. I hope you’re as excited as I am about what’s to come. 

And I’m sure too, that you’re already itching to get back into the AJ Bell Stadium to support your team. I know the lads can’t wait to run out in front of a full house. We welcomed supporters back into the stadium for two games at the end of the season and the team responded with two big wins against really good sides. We know the difference you can make and what a part you can play in pushing this club onto even bigger and better things. As I said, this is our first appearance in the semi-finals since we won the title in 2006 but I promise this is just the start. 

We want, and need, you to join us for what’s going to be an exciting ride. 

We want to fill the stadium, to make it a fortress and a difficult place for opposition teams to come and we want you to be a part of that. The atmosphere was incredible with 3,000 fans in for the Bristol and Harlequins games so just imagine what it could be like with 12,000. 

The hard work has already begun at Carrington to make sure next season builds on this one across all departments, and we hope that you will join us to play a key role in our journey to the top. It’s been an incredibly difficult last 18 months for everyone but your support for our club has never wavered. I promise you that we don’t take that support for granted – in fact, we’ve felt it every time the players took to the field, even if the stands were empty. 

Now we want you to play your part again. Join the Sharks feeding frenzy and help us in our quest to reach the summit of English rugby. 

We might not be allowed to fill the stadium next season due to Covid so we will need to prioritise tickets. Obviously those supporters who donated their unused money last season will have priority for season tickets along with season members and current season ticket holders so the sooner you jump into our Shark water the better. We hope to be able to sell match by match tickets as well but unfortunately that isn’t guaranteed so please get your season tickets as soon as they go on sale. We know it’s been a tough year for everyone so we’ll do whatever we can to make payment as painless as possible so please contact us if you’re having money issues and we’ll figure something out. You supported the club when we needed it so we’ll try and support you where it’s needed. 

I hope to see you all next season when we attempt to secure a playoff spot. Top 4 is the minimum target for your Sharks now and we intend to achieve it and your support will definitely help. 

Thanks everyone and see you soon. 

Regards   

Simon Orange

Co-Owner | Sale Sharks

10 hours ago, Ianglasgow said:

I know exactly the way you feel . Went past recently myself and felt cold ….  Afternoon tea in Darwen tho ? Maybe at Astley bank old people’s home ? 

Dolly's tearooms.  Christmas gift from our daughter who knows someone who knows the owner.  It was very good.

Going back to 'Time', the scene of dad's funeral/Sean Bean in prison Chapel with chaplain had my husband and I both in tears. The whole series was awful, and yet so compelling and understated that it was magical TV. Someone the other day suggested it should be shown in all schools. 

My current rant is the TV love in with Micah Richards. I had no real beef with him before. Now, since he is ubiquitous in the extreme, I have to turn off tv or radio whenever I hear his voice. Why have people suddenly decided he's that good, we have to have him on TV morning, noon and night?

It was the best of the 3. It was Ribble Valley Inns sale that caused the problems. Sounds like Nigel Howard regrets letting it go and is going back to his 'roots' in a way. Theyve started work on it anyway

Drove past Ewood today. Nostalgic drive following the route taken many times on the way to matches. (I was going for afternoon tea in Darwen) and found myself wanting to want to be at Rovers games. I wanted to feel excited at the prospect watching my team, but all I felt was enormous sadness. 

Same rules apply to ownership of all sports clubs, in that we all want owners who care, even if they only care to line their own pockets, feed their ego or whatever.  I've removed it anyway, not because it bothered you but because the format took up too much space.  

8 hours ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

League 1 again. Seems like it would be time now to go a bit higher, either with us or say in the Scottish prem. 

Getting him ready for us when we end up there again

3 hours ago, JohnGo said:

What’s your evidence? Or is it just your opinion.

If you haven't seen the evidence since the day the Rao family took over Rovers, I despair. When have they ever shown any evidence of forward planning on football matters. Player after player has left without a planned replacement. 

9 hours ago, JohnGo said:

All businesses have budgets it’s called an annual plan. It’s not rocket science, they know how much they can spend and I’m sure they will have options to Nyambi

Brfc is not a normal business. Any normal club would have plans. Rovers don't. They do sell first, think later

To be honest, I'd visit the store but not bother with a match. Just watch the DVD and remember

7 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

Does Mowbray being here changes the fact you are Blackburn Rovers supporter?

Not on its own but as part of the continued neglect and running down of what was once a very well run club, it makes it very hard to want to pay out good money to watch them. For everyone there is a straw that breaks the camel's back. For some it was reached early on, when Kean was appointed, for others, its been reached now Mowbray appears to be staying. For others, it's been some other tipping point along the way.

It doesn't mean you're no longer a fan or a supporter. It just means that you make different choices. 

17 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

We all know that if it was the case that the club wanted to wait to see more clarity on the pandemic, then they would at least communicate that. Preston have been one of the latest teams to release season ticket details, doing so last week, but released a number of statements prior to keep fans in the loop. Lets not even pretend that it is anything but negligence and incompetence that has prevented season tickets from being released yet.

Yep. Rugby Union season hasn't finished yet, but clubs have already asked fans to register an interest in next season's ST to gauge how sales may go. It's all about fan involvement and keeping fans interest, especially if you're on the back of a good run, but also if you're doing badly, to keep those fans you might otherwise lose.

13 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Haven't read the replies other than on the last page of this thread but I have to say if everyone is debating last night's game seriously you're easily pleased.

I never usually bother with England between tournaments but was free last night so thought I'd tune in and see where we're at these days.

Never seen such a load of crap in my life, load of fancy Dan's playing tippy tippy football with zero penetration and the only real passion being shown was for trying to buy cheap free kicks with exaggerated falls for minimal contact.

What really got my goat was when Lingard I think was substituted and he Southgate and the coaching staff were all high fiveing one another like they'd won the World Cup.

A proper manager would have been giving the players the cold shoulder for putting in such an abject performance.  

All in all I was left fairly speechless. Really can't see us doing anything with that muppet Southgate in charge.

The players on the pitch were mostly fringe players. They should have been busting a gut to prove why they should be guaranteed starters but they weren't. Im glad its not just me who doesn't understand the attitude of modern footballers. I'll show you doesn't seem to be in their psyche

It doesn't happen because it involves too many variables. They have to offer a player you want, at a valuation you can agree on. He has to want to move to your club. Its much harder than a straight purchase. 

5 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Fucking hell, if he goes for 20 quid I'm going to jail for murdering all decision-makers at the club! 😉

Beat me to it. I was just reading to the bottom of thread before posting

2 hours ago, Southside Rover said:

And we've seen investment with no sales so perhaps that hinders my "misplaced optimism"

Yes we have seen investment without sales of major players and a fat lot of good that has done us too. Its a long time since I looked at a transfer window with even a modicum of optimism, misplaced or otherwise. Hughes was probably manager, I think.

5 hours ago, Southside Rover said:

 

Armstrong has been rumoured for so long its almost inevitable. I personally think he will remain but if he goes its what was expected and at least there should be some money to spend. 

 

 

This is misplaced optimism. If we lose Armstrong, the money will never appear. We've seen over and over that money is never recycled into the playing squad. Sell Armstrong; lose goalpower; regress from an already weak position. That's the journey we are on.