He used to post on here occasionally too.

Cantello was indeed playing and an unsung player amongst the Three Degrees who attracted most of the publicity. Atkinson just let them go out and play - the game seemed much more simple then.

Yes Tyrone just deciding on the hoof to go to a game wasn't the hassle it is today. I remember one Saturday and I was playing in the Darwen Amateur League and our game was called off around 1.30. As Rovers were away several of us decided to go to Old Trafford to see them play West Brom who had a great side at that time. We paid on the gate and saw the best game I have ever seen live. It was 5-3 to West Brom and the football was as good as it gets. Without the ability to have paid on the day we would have gone back to the pub.

Why have a couple of posts replying to mhead been deleted? Edit. They aren't in this thread - sorry.

Stockholm syndrome?

All pretty much let down by the EFL and their weak as piss fit and proper test. I don't think any of them would have encountered the issues they had but for the inadequacies of the people who should have been looking after them. That is where the problem lies in my view.

Great story Jack. You must have many more to tell us ?.

We played Crewe around 1999 I think and Jason Kearton gave arguably the best ever goalkeeping display I have seen. He was simply unbeatable and without him it would have been a massacre. Perhaps it's that game you are thinking of. From memory it was a Sunday game and live on Sky.

Sorry Philip I simply cannot do that mind exercise and differentiate by breaking up their tenure as you suggest. I walked out of Old Trafford as proud as punch when we beat them but I still despised Kean. I hold them entirely responsible for were we are now and the awful journey they have taken us on which has decimated our club. They get absolutely no credit from me whatsoever.

Mowbray said last season that playoffs was the aim which is at odds with the slow build nonsense. I accept that Mowbray is a real professional in the truest sense and he has done some good things here but I cannot accept that Waggott has been professional in his workings here irrespective of his time in football. He has played a big part reducing season ticket sales by trying to impose disproportionate price increases, shutting stands and largely doing away with concessions. His brief was to grow income. He has been an abject, expensive failure. Venkys commitment didn't start two years ago, the bought the club nearly a decade ago. And their commitment that fateful day their ownership was announced has been pissed all over. To remind you of their undertaking ten years ago. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/19/venkys-completes-takeover-blackburn-rovers We had a debt of £20m when they took over, what is it now?

Who are the professionals and what is the long-term strategic direction?

Having refereed on over eighty professional grounds I can tell you categorically that the Ewood crowd is absolutely no different to any other when it comes to being critical. This is a real myth perpetrated to show us in bad light, very often by our own.

I have been thinking the same but even more during the last few months. With their intermediary still missing in action they are relying on Swag and Cheston to keep them informed and I wouldn't trust that pair to make a jelly. Something will have to give.

Didn't Bowyer sign three players from outside the UK? From memory Songo, Koite and another. All useless by the way and probably not scouted in the conventional sense.

Although I haven't seen all the game what I have seen is that Norwich look poor and suffering from a PL hangover. Their gaffer might be one of the first managerial casualties of the season.

I asked the very same question. I would give it to Holtby or Johnson.

A good Chief Executive who achieves his objectives is worth the huge salaries. This bloke is a drain on our meagre resources. I asked recently for one good thing that Swag has done in nearly three years for the club or the fans. I'm still waiting for one.

I don't think that under 23 football comes anywhere near the intensity of Championship football. Directly up against Moore and the long throws of Cardiff will test Ayala to the maximum. And apparently he hasn't played a Championship game since January. This news throws a new perspective on the game for me.

I'm not entirely sure on the extent of the injury but I have been told he will be fine to join up the ROI. That strongly indicates nothing serious or something devious. ??

Injured I believe.

Ayala debut replacing Lenihan I understand.

Samba was given new contracts before Venkys rocked up. The truth is nobody knows what the real story behind the Raya to Arsenal story barring a few individuals.

That's a bit insulting for having an opinion on something none of us really know the truth about. And by the way lots of agents do use that kind of leverage to get moves or new deals for their clients. That's their job and they will do it by fair means or foul. I'm not sure if you were around when Samba was but he seemed to get a new deal every year to stop him from leaving. I know that because his agent told me. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-window/agents-leaks-denials-and-spoofers-the-evolution-of-the-football-transfer-process-31470537.html

Terrific - there is something evocative and authentic about black and white photos. Thanks for sharing them.

The Raya story smacks of an agent doing his job. Get a move from Rovers to a club with a reputation for player development, create a link to Arsenal cleverly underpinned by the Brentford goalkeeper coach going there and hey presto - a shiny new, greatly improved contract for his player. He has played them all like a fiddle.