D.W Check out BRASIL (Blackburn Rovers Away Support In London or London Branch) there used to be a website and fanzine/newsletter 'Many Miles From Home'. The BRISA website might soon be useful for guidance on organising cells or meets of distant (or local, depending upon location!) Rovers fans. NB BRISA Steering Committee members - are you being inclusive or exclusive now it's up and running?

Is there a McClarky tartan?!

Big Col is under increasing pressure at Bloomers from the fans...the Oystons deserve the blame but if results and performances continue as at present, they may swing the axe ( don't think CH would walk from his first managerial appointment, unless BFC were in a healthier league position?). McC - will pm you re City

As well as identifying various worthy causes (as many as possible ideally, for BRISA and BRFC's subsequent prioritisation) we need to identify an issue which provides a major debating point. Even if it may not be the easiest issue with which get agreement with BRFC, I feel it is important to get interested Rovers fans involved and refining potential solutions under the BRISA banner. I'd suggest primarily that 'Encouraging Rovers Fans Supporting Choice' and 'Enhancing the Ewood Matchday Experience' need to be raised and discussed. How feasible would a small, shallow terraced area in front of a raised, more sheltered, disabled (wheelchair) section (and the stand's current upper half of seating behind) across the whole length of the Riverside be? The ground in its current state has already hosted summer pop concerts where standing in seated areas has not been prevented by stewards which surely weakens the supposed health and safety risk arguments against relaxing standing restrictions. If people reply 'But it's the regulations...' let's simply do everything possible to get them modified. There are various national movements on this but Ewood Park is unique in the opportunities it presents for us to take this forward. There is obviously dispensation for the Blackburn End Drummer to stand, why not for vocal chorister leaders (self-appointed ideally) and flagbearers also? Give casual attenders the chance to sit in our core supporting areas at important matches (eg the heart of the Blackburn End) by restoring it as the unreserved area it was 15 years ago (albeit with seats now). It's the best way of winning their hearts, encouraging future loyalty and fostering yet moderating youthful exuberance, as well as assisting season ticket holder regulars with the previous 'Bring a friend' policy. If other season ticket holder's have got to sit in 'their' seat, they'll just have to get on early! It would also help like-minded season ticket holders gather together which is vital if the matchday atmosphere is to be improved. How about helping this by (politely) encouraging pensioners and young children out of the Blackburn End Lower tier (or even just its central sections) by withdrawing concessionary tickets in those areas? Older fans appreciate how the social and communal elements of supporting have been constrained at Ewood Park over recent years - efforts must be made to bring them back. In addition to the cost, these are a factor why many now choose to watch matches in pubs. These are just a few points I would like to see championed by BRISA, I'm sure others have many more... Many Happy Returns for Saturday, Rovers!

Went into the Aqueduct after tonight's game (great result but first half was lacking, as for the Brum game?). Some Ewood Blues felt the halftime spiel from the BRISA representative and Graham Liver was more than a little biased towards what would be expected as the club's official line, especially using the club's media etc .... it is VERY important to stress at the launch the INDEPENDENCE of BRISA, even if that results in a slightly mixed message. Please remember there is no authorative RIGHT answer, not even utterances of the steering committee. As Den alludes, the BRISA thing is NOT owned by those instrumental in getting it off the ground...what is the position of the ex-OSAs or current-ISAs in relation to BRISA, are they on board or not? Forget Jack Straw and Wayne Hemingway, Birdy's positive comments would be invaluable if we are not going to fall into the 'Life of Brian' trap.

That photo of the Rovers following at Anfield...is that one of our subs warming up in the left hand aisle?!

BRISA can and will be a number of different things to different people – it can try and achieve whatever it may be you or I may wish for Blackburn Rovers FC and us, its supporters. Also, no one should feel that they have really missed anything so far – the important matters will begin to be taken forward from the 27th October. That said, while not trying to dampen expectations, the launch is simply the start of things. Different people have been involved at each meeting all along so there is no individual’s overarching agenda. As well as assisting with two-way communication between the fans and club it may well lead to positive action. As per Rev's post above, I appreciate certain matters have been discussed ad nauseam but this may ( if I'm not too naive and idealistic!) be a means of achieving concrete mutually beneficial results. There is no point in being cynical about it (certainly not yet!) as all options are open – join up and get involved!

Back on topic (well, its true subtext) What might we do to improve attendance/volume at Ewood Park.....? I'm looking forward to debating this offline! Bring on a suitable forum....

Regarding point 4, is there any advantage to Blackburn Rovers, other than artificially boosting the recorded crowd for its own sake, to swiping a non attending season ticket holder's card at the turnstile when they are not actually there for a particular match? It would spoil their data warehousing, assuming it is of any use, but maybe there is some hidden benefit to inflating the attendance figures slightly on occasion?

Revidge Why is my assertion that Rovers fans should be allowed to support their team in different ways <Rubbish>? I did not mean to rile the thread police, detract from the valid point that Alan75 suggested regarding a £10 reciprocal deal with Wigan nor am I an apologist for the current wannabe hooligan pipsqueaks among Rovers away following. If our older ‘drunken and lary’ following could be enticed out of the pub on matchdays, not only would home and away support be improved but perhaps some of the juvenile obnoxious behaviour that many decry would be marginalised?

Watched the full match on some dodgy satellite channel in the pub after 6:30, knowing the score, unlike the Likely Lads, meant an unstressed, blissful experience - obviously wish I'd been at OT but family commitments precluded...this absolutely fantastic victory will obviously keep us all buoyant but we MUST, as fans, do something about the supporter's CHOICE at Ewood. Let's designate the Blackburn End lower tier a 'flag and scarf' ultra zone ie relax some of the stadium rules that alienate a certain type of fan.... The Alan75 concern above over the Wigan game at New Year is symptomatic of where the problem lies. He states he is put off by potential drunken, lary Rovers fans but fails to recognise that many of those have already been put off by his, more sober and staid type of support. THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM AT EWOOD FOR BOTH, AND ALSO AT MANY AWAY GAMES ...there never used to be an either/or over supporting nor needs there be now.... definatley something for Rovers fans to take forward

I was very impressed with the Geordie support on Sunday - the fact that many of them would've had copious quantities of ale prematch should not be ignored but how different was their approach and attitude to supporting at the game than 90% of our support. The point I'm trying to make is that even if Rovers had somehow contrived to win, the majority of Geordies would've had a good day out... whereas we are stuck with a feeble supporting experience for all home supporters at Ewood (that said, they probably have a similar feeble supporting experience to us when at St James Park). I'm not harking back to a halcyon era but the atmosphere generated by the 5000 gates of the mid eighties was vastly superior, even when the performances and results on the pitch were as poor as what we are seeing these days. It was possible to have fun, catch up with mates, songs and laughter even in defeat / adversity. After the third goal did anyone in the Blackburn End sing 'Oh if your going to Old Trafford, clap your hands....? Of course not. In the modern world football, not just Rovers, is less important to more people. Now success seems to be the be all and end all. People decry boring tactics and I understand that but it shouldn't have become as significant as it has. The missing entertainment and social factor many people crave used to be largely self-generated by the fans. The demographics of matchday attendance have changed drastically but there is still a need for a hardcore supporting experience, an outlet for youthful aggression off the pitch as well as on it (as per the football365 comment for players). This doesn't need to be entwined with the terracing debate but the club has to appeal to its former constituency many, many of whom are now watching the match (or any old match) live in the pubs.

The club seem to have given up on getting fans to actually go to watch Rovers games now. Has anybody else received the personalised email as follows? Picture the scene, It’s Saturday afternoon, you’re out around town shopping with the Mrs and Blackburn Rovers are playing an important fixture. You’re desperate for news on the game but you just can’t seem to get in contact with anyone. - Who’s starting? What’s the score? FRUSTRATED? Not any more, sign up to the official Blackburn Rovers SMS service and get: Managers Comments Goal Alerts Official Club News Divisional Round-ups And much much more With official news and information direct from the heart of the club, you’ll never be left frustrated again!

Too true Roverich - I did not go to the 'friendly' yesterday, and plenty of other seasonticket holders and casual Rovers fans didn't. Solace for the Ewood-attendance angst-ridden but I saw more Rovers shirts (of various vintage) in St Annes yesterday afternoon than any other team (including Tangerine ones - obviously at Bloomfield). The age, social make-up and sex demographic of the Ewood crowd tells its own story, as MCMC succinctly posted above.

Thought I'd beat Jim to it.... Search for Blackburn Rovers on Britishpathe.com (particularly "A Lancs ' Football Derby 05/03/1928 & 6th Round FA Cup Blackburn v Burnley - the stills of the latter show the real Blackburn End in all its majesty - better than anything RoversWorld can offer, that's for sure!) Try also the Cottontown site http://www.cottontown.org/page.cfm?language=eng&pageID=620 - the aftermath of a tragic death on Kidder Street (not directly BRFC related)

Anyone read the statement made by Shahara Islam's family following her funeral (the first of the 54+ to be laid to rest)? No condemnation for her killers but she is declared to be a 'martyr', albeit an Eastender, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Is there a not very well hidden subtext here?

Went to a few home games as a lad in the Ken Furphy/Howard Kendall era (games v Bolton, Blackpool and Oldham stand out though I can't recall scores, just remember the intoxicating night match atmosphere of the old Blackburn End, could hardly see the pitch but that didn't seem to matter too much!). Became a committed Rovers fan after a Newcastle away trip, Boxing Day 1983 (1-1 draw in front of 33000, 2-3 thousand Rovers on the old Leazes End) 20+ years a season ticket holder...

Should be OK, your B&B is not too far from the YMCA you know! Perhaps JAL's got a bunk, seems like a nice boy. See you tomorrow...sup it and love it! Won the Cup three times on the run Champions of Division One Division Three, didn't bother me (apart from Ken Furphy) We are the Blackburn....Rovers! Better version than a bow-legged chicken!?! (edit note - atrocious use of apostrophe! )

McClarky - is this bigger than the Worthington Cup Final game? To be honest, big games always draw the more casual fan for all clubs and the fact that we were in Cardiff a couple of years ago means that, for them, the novelty factor is not the driving force it was then.... Not disputing your assessment of the general support levels though ( but that is applicable not only to Rovers fans but across the game, even in Milan ).

There's no point in rounding on those who are not going to the game for whatever reason, in my book. The fact that the organisation and pricing of this game, which should ordinarily be de rigeur even for fairweather fans, has put off even elements of the hardcore Rovers support is a massive indictment of the FA, NOT the fans themselves. If you're going to the match, as am I, just be grateful you can and not so hung up over those Rovers fans who don't make it to Cardiff for the semi-final. Incidentally, Arsenal do have a larger fanbase than Rovers - don't be troubled or surprised when we are outnumbered in the stadium, just sing all the louder

We're in U8, just before 5:30pm they said 12000 tickets sold so far...it was very quiet at the ticket office. The only other person who came up the 10 mins I was there was after tickets for the Southampton game but as they'd tilled them up, he has to come back another day...

8 Apr 1995 Take That Back For Good 4 6th No 1 Perhaps Gary Barlow's greatest song-writing achievement. Sold 300,000 copies in first week and made US Top 10. 6 May 1995 Oasis Some Might Say 1 1st No 1 They were from Manchester, and part of the Brit-Pop scene. The media set them up as rivals to Essex band, Blur. 13 May 1995 Livin' Joy Dreamer 1 Only No 1 Italian dance music production outfit, with vocals by New Yorker, Janice Robinson. Some might say, back for good ( apart from a brief relegation sojourn ), livin' joy.....says it all really! (Cribbed from Google not memory!)

Adopted Scouser - Check Page 1 of the FA Cup V Leicester thread .... you surely cannot dispute the sentiment (or the top brass panache of the Eagley posse - probably mostly trotters as well .... As for the best Killing Joke track for the Rovers to come onto the pitch to, if not the one highlighted below, perhaps 'Wardance'?!? Oh if you're going to Cardiff clap your hands!! It better be the Sunday semi-final game too I think more analysis needs to be given over to what people should expect to get for their money at Ewood. I believe the club does not cater sufficiently for niche markets ( some quite large in number ) and assumes everyone wants the same experience on their attendance. Those 17 year old Slipknot/Eminem fans who'll pay 20 + quid for a mosh at a gig are now turned off by the insipid all seating environment that exists across the whole ground... why not cater for them with a 'Flag-waving/scarf twirling area' where there is an understanding that views may be restricted, seating is unreserved and it is likely to be acceptably boisterous? Different parts of the ground should be materially different in what is on offer to the fan; no one should be allowed to believe they have an inalienable right to adopt their method of support wherever they choose (ie tartan rugs and infants out of the Blackburn End lower, foul-mouthed yobs out of the Jack Walker upper-central etc). What about klaxons and air-horns to fuel the Blackburn End chorus - give the drummer a chance to vary his instrumental repertoire? Issue free 250 old-fashioned heavy wooden rattles to raise the volume and percussive intensity. What about several official 'flare firers' at secure points around the ground (all fully health and safety accredited, of course), blue and white particulate smoke wafting across the pitch before kickoff will particularly enhance the atmosphere. Play imposing and adrenaline inducing music over the PA prematch and half-time (eg Killing Joke's Dominator) to feed a crowd frenzy...although not necessarily across the whole stadium. But vitally, do all the above when we've got a huge crowd of young fans in the stadium (kids for a quid, top tenner days) and let them know that it is regularly going to be like this...even a defeat or poor performance on the pitch might be better endured if all the home fans feel they have pulled together... Going back to niche markets more adventurous catering and pricing in the food/drink outlets could help (good coffee, Halaal burgers/kebabs, sushi occasionally)...what about drink promotions in the concourse bars a couple of hours before the game to get fans in the ground early ( and cranked up). Radical but what about a few anchored bar stool seats near some of the kiosks? Finally, get rid of the preponderance of grey and beige around the ground, more blue and white paint work everywhere will reinforce the Rovers identity and make Ewood more our den. None of this is rocket science, a lot is rather retro, but it isn't simply a matter of getting people to Ewood Park, it's about making them want to keep coming and allowing them to get out of it whatever it is they really want/enjoy. Of course a winning team does always help….

For those like David Brent and others stressing about whether Rovers fans will buy the 23000 seats available, please consider two massive factors... How many under-12 Rovers fans (many season ticket holders) will not attend next Tuesday? Should they be expected to stay out until past 10:00 (if, gulp, extra time and penalties) and be immersed in the inevitable foul and abusive atmosphere (not that it isn't all rather jolly fun for us 'grown ups' ) Especially as it is not being televised live, the failure to release tickets on general sale will definitely restrict purchases by the fairest-of-weather armchair fan or the Lancashire-based neutral (both of which categories together could likely number in the thousands and make up a surprisingly high percentage of ANY Lancashire derby match). So if we are a couple of thousand short of capacity for Bumley's cup final, before donning the sack cloth and ashes for a bit of self-and-other-Rovers-fans-flagellation, just think on...

My old man, said be a Bumley fan, I said f\*2 off you silly, gormless tw@t, tw@t, tw@t, tw@t........ A bow-legged chicken and a knock-kneed hen, ain't had a fight since I don't know when, come down to Ewood that's our den, we are the Blackburn Boot Boys! If I had the wings of an angel, the dirty black ar$e of a crow, I'd fly over Bumley tomorrow and $hit on the b@arstewards below, below.....etc There's an alehouse in Bumley I used to frequent, I met Stevie Cotterill his money all spent, he asked me to play, I answered him nay, cos I hate Bumley barstewards til my dying day and its NO, NAY, NEVER, no, nay never no more WILL we play Bumley barstewards, no never no more! The team they called the Bumley went to Rome to see the pope, the team they called the Bumley went to Rome to see the pope, the team they called the Bumley went to Rome to see the pope and this is what he said.....who's that team they call the Rovers? Who's that team they all adore? Well they're dressed in Blue n white and they're ready for a fight so come on Bumley barstewards have a go! Even if the Clarets win tomorrow, Rovers will remain superior....and they know it !! Jason and Marcus for OBEs. Rovers here, Rovers there....etc Come ON!