I'd agree on the tribalism Matty, but don't you think it'd be largely for the current generation (those who currently attend games)?

A lot of kids would gravitate towards City/United you're right but with a bit of effort - like the club going into schools or giving tickets to school kids, both in the coming years) - surely we could pick up a few new fans.  Is it worth the investment for a hundred or two, I really don't know.

OJF, it's on p37 of the Mowbray In? Mowbray Out? thread (if I did twitter there might be a more elegant method of doing this).

22 minutes ago, Mercer said:

Only flutter for me would be 13/2 on relegation.

Stick a tenner on Merce, there's a good chap.  Then we can all rest easy knowing it won't happen.

3 hours ago, AllRoverAsia said:

That would not have come cheap. It is truly atrocious.

Does anyone know who the Sculptor was? He should be ashamed.

Quote

The statue was created by Belfast artist Tony Currie

Don't think he used to play for Sheff Utd but you never know,

1 hour ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

If lower costs won't bring people back, nothing will. Barring promotion of course. 

If a consumer thought price was almost everything how do (to pick a couple of random examples) Tag Heuer watches or Diesel jeans sell?

Rovers STs..... the Gucci of the footballing world, now there's an idea......

3 hours ago, Mercer said:

  You could go on and on and on.

Just now, Mercer said:

  You can go on and on.

You can indeed.  IMV.

Just now, Herbie6590 said:

Likely Lads plot...”England F..”

Bit of a classic that one, listened to it a few days ago and it's on iplayer (audio) for another few days...... No Hiding Place

7 hours ago, S8 & Blue said:

100% putting in a request-a-bet for Big Ben to grab a headed goal at Carrow Road now.

Ooooh let's hope so.  That way Blueboy, Biz, and Stuart should all spontaneously combust.

1 hour ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Exactly. 

If they win their next 2 games and we lose our next 2. They are 5 points off us and I would then say we are in a relegation battle. A relegation battle I would not back us having the stomach for. Their next two games are at home followed by Stoke away. 

I think some of you are being a bit flippant with the "we are safe already" stuff. 

500/1 for us being relegated.  If you really are that pessimistic put a couple of quid on it and console yourself with a grand if you're proved right.

12 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

On the flip side of the coin John Butcher was pretty terrible so his number two can't have been all that. Although I thought at the time Butcher needed to be axed so maybe the number two at the time was passable.

Yep, he wasn't good.  Wasn't he a back up though?  To Jim Arnold maybe?  My memories are getting to Ewood only to feel really let down if Butcher trotted out.

3 hours ago, Vinjay17 said:

He owned it. The Walker trust never did. Matthewman "resigned" in 2017 but that's due to status as a tax exile. Same reason Jack Walker was never officially a director. 

Shortly after Jack died. How convenient. 

Obviously the Matthewmans used their manipulative influence over the trustees to cut this deal. Matthewman didn't own Northchoke until 2012 but it's no coincidence that Matthewman's friends (that pompous oaf Bancroft and Howarth) received the catering contract shortly after Jack died. The hotel has lost money (I don't know about that cafe near the cathedral) but considering Bancroft's delusions Matthewman evidently saw it as some kind of status symbol being a "manor" and all. Something to mention at the racecourse and pheasant shoots. Put yourself into the mind of typical psuedo upper class. 

I'm sure the club were unable (without any legal issues) to cut the contract sooner. I'm sure that Northchoke's contract was part of the sale conditions in 2010. Matthewman wasn't owner then (made his "investment" in 2012) but I'm sure he used his (and the rest of his families) extensive influence over the trustees to cut his mates a deal. Obviously there wasn't the same influence here besides Bancroft being able to keep his job. 

Not like you to make assumptions Vinj

Especially for Jim....

8 minutes ago, skous18 said:

You mean Valeri Domovchiyski, I dont know where that thing with him being fast came from tbf. He had some skills but a quick player he was not.

 

Don't know if he still posts here, but I seem to remember someone admitted he'd done a bit of wiki editing.  A few newspapers and websites had picked up the info from wiki so it soon became fact!  Fake news before it became fashionable.

12 hours ago, old darwen blue said:

I know it wasn’t a proper game but anyone remember that night when the ground was opened up for free and we paraded the premier league trophy? I swear there must have been 35-36,000 on Ewood that night, there were a hell of a lot more people on than seats!

Certainly do.  Travelled over the hills and got to Ewood well before the start of the festivities but got turned away - already full.  So went up to The Manxman and watched from there.

1 hour ago, oldjamfan1 said:

 

Rovers 5 Crystal  Palace 4, 8th October 1988, Second Division. Rovers emerged victorious against the team that would ultimately break our hearts thanks to a last gasp winner from (I think) big Col. I remember walking up Cravens Brow after the game and one old fella said "Eee, I won't even care if t'wife hasn't me tea ready when I get in after that!"

Courtesy of a former poster on here.....

There are highlights from the 1989 play off game on Youtube but not posting those.

1 hour ago, S8 & Blue said:

Should be a cricket score.

Right next to Padiham Cricket Club's ground isn't it so it'll be fitting.

One of my first games, the one at Ewood.  Can't remember too much about it, 0-0 scoreline and like you EiT, I remember them hitting the bar.

3 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

There's a league table I saw at the weekend (maybe in the The Times) of the number of times clubs draw strong opposition in the early rounds

Rovers were near the bottom of it, ie we have had more than our fair share of tough draws.

And it;s happened again - Watford, a tough game (assuming we beat Newcastle) when we could have got Accrington, Shrewsbury, Doncaster and a host of others (not that any of them are easy - though you see the point).

It am hoping to see Rovers play at Wembley again before I get nailed to the perch but these tough draws every year make it very unlikely

If you're being optimistic Jim (long shot I know) it also means we don't get 'giant killed' too often.  Bet you still remember Burnley v Wimbledon from 40-odd years ago.

Been around for a while has our Henery (one for the younger readers).  He wrote a good article or two about our European jaunts.  That'll be an interesting read.

After seasons of a sparsely-populated Ewood, a high for me was the sight of a nearly full ground for the Oxford game.

55 minutes ago, Mercer said:

Banker away win this.

Unexpectedly, a great start to season for Norwich.  Keep saying it but momentum and confidence are everything in this league.  Yep, they've scraped a few results but sign of a side going up (bit like us last year). 

We are conceding goals for fun so going for a triple blast - Norwich to win @29/20, Rhodes anytime scorer @ 7/4 and 3-1 score @20/1.  Think it's going to be one joyous weekend (winnings wise)!  

 

 

I'll take the treble on Merce getting it entirely wrong.  Track record says it's a licence to print money.  Lump on.

15 hours ago, Batman. said:

 Brett Emerton had a better Rovers career than Dunn.

Whilst not agreeing with you, fair points till then.  Suspect you've stretched a bit far there though.

12 hours ago, Mercer said:

Good lad.  Buy you a pint then?

Insist on a good bottle of red, Chaddy.

13 minutes ago, Al said:

So it should. Take their money and shove them out of the way.

Careful Al, you'll be turning into Vinjay.  Tread carefully or soon you'll be spouting about the Walker Trust and how Rotherham is a boring name.

Meanwhile on the game, similar thoughts to aribitro except I fear Rotherham will get the first goal and time waste their way to 3 pts.

9 hours ago, Mercer said:

A huge home banker this.

Expect Rotherham to be mullered.

Rovers even at 8/11 is a licence to print money.

'Fun' bet on this is Rovers to win 4-1 at 33/1.

Hope Brereton plays centre forward and notches a hat-trick.

Oooh hello, we haven't had a 'licence to print money' for a while have we.

Away win it is then.