I was in Block D on the front row just to the right of the technical areas. I got my tickets through Accrington in the knowledge that the Rovers players would be knocking about in that area. My granddaughter got pitcures with seventeen of the players and autographs too so she was chuffed.

He came on for about twenty minutes in the second match and did fine. The two sixteen year old centre halves (Davies and Atcheson) were on the bench for both games and before each game were warming up in front of where I was sat. On each occasion Tomasson took time to speak to them both. I haven't a clue what was said but I imagine that these kids felt a million dollars that the manager had singled them out.

Without doubt Don Goodman is the most insightful, knowledgeable and eloquent co commentator, I also like Andy Hinchcliffe for the same reason. The like of Lee Hendrie bring nothing to the game for me.

It's becoming clear to me that the punditry format has gone stale and the TV companies are just shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic. I never watch the build up, half time chat and very rarely and post match analysis. For MOTD and the EFL programmes they are usually recorded and I fast forward through the chatty bits. The whole industry needs a revamp in my view. I record the Big Match Revisited each Saturday and there are no 'experts' in the gantry babbling on and very rarely studio guests, just good old Brian Moore holding the fort (and very well too I might add).

My friend is the MD there (and a Rovers fan to boot) and he simply understands East Lancashire people and our mentality. He taps into that and the whole off the field package offers value for money.

It was good to watch some football again although in terms of performance it wasn't too good, understandable given it's our first match. Too often players touches weren't good enough but again that will take a few games. It was good to see some of the kids get game time and I thought they did well. I spoke to Adam Wharton who told me that he has a slight hamstring strain and is staying behind next week for treatment. I said to him we need him fit and well for August 5th and he smiled and said "I will be".

Note the price list on the left. This is what can be done by keeping things in-house and not out sourcing to a greedy monolith intent on profiteering.

A good interview with Matt Derbyshire. https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/blackburn-rovers-hughes-tugay-dream-27271007

It looks much better with the lettering painted and clean. I was at Ewood yesterday and it looked weathered too. A good stone mason could make it look brand new in no time.

It was kids sizes I was referring to, I didn't even check the adult prices. For an Accrington shirt the same size as I bought this morning it is £30, I paid £45. That is an increase of £7 from last season.

They have been in the store for at least two weeks now.

I got to Ewood around 10.45 and there were around 40 people in front of me. I got a JXL but I was surprised to see there was nothing for kids under 7 year old although I overheard one of the staff saying that infant kit should be out later today. I was surprised to see the shirt I got priced at £45, last season's was £38. That is £15 more expensive that an equivalent size for a Stanley shirt which is also supplied by Macron. Is Swag on a bonus for shirt sales income?

Then Blackburn Enders must be getting older and relocating to th'owd persons area. It's a pity BHS closed, they could have done a roaring trade in blankets. 😂😂

Excellent presentation which has been well thought out and I believe will strike a real chord with the fans.

Over the years I have heard things about this bloke which aren't very good. It looks like events have caught up with him now. The noises coming out of Fleetwood don't appear overly concerned whereas I was of the opinion he bankrolled them.

I'll look out for you as you should be easy to spot. You'll be the one counting the crowd 😂😂

Blackpool are up to 7000 for next season.

Thanks John. My concern/confusion is that many of the clubs with Macron kit have them for sale but it always seems to be us that suffer from such events as floods or ships stuck in the Suez Canal.

The number of named substitutes has increased from seven to nine from which give can be used during three windows of the game not included half time changes. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/june/29/efl-statement--substitutes/

Thanks for letting me know windy. Edit: I clicked the link and delivery isn't expected until late July 😂😂

I was told on Monday that the delay is because there were floods in Italy where they are made. It's a bit of a circuitous route to send them to the far East and down the Suez Canal for something made in Italy. Unless of course we are being fee trips once again 😂

Accrington's kit is bespoke with images of Nori bricks on it. If they have stock why haven't we? That's the simple question being asked.

I was in the shop on Monday and was told it was due next week. I asked which day and they didn't know and said the reason for the delay and uncertainty was because of some floods in Italy (last year it was a problem in the Suez Canal that caused the problem). If you check clubs whose kit supplier is Macron you will find plenty on sale already. So to answer your question they have none right now. You can pre order training kit (adults sizes only though) but they aren't sure when any of that will be here.

Accrington kits are available to buy now from their new kit supplier Macron (we haven't received any stock yet) and are considerably cheaper than ours. In the design they have incorporated the Nori brick. https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2023/june/pride-and-passion-reds-and-macron-launch-new-bespoke-2023-24-home-kit/

Who knows. With schools being off I always think games like this are a good opportunity to take kids to their first matches and personally would have made it free admission for under 16's with adult supervision. And you never know, there might be a surge in season ticket sales if they enjoy it 😂😂.