Ianrally

Absolutely the best football annual ever published. My favourite football magazine was undoubtedly Charles Buchans Football Monthly. Maybe it’s an age thing

Here here Bazza. Too many clever dicks these days among so called commentators constantly churning out statistics rather than actually commenting on the game. Tyler being one of the worst. Oh for the likes of Brian Moore or Kenneth Wolstenhome.

Tommy Docherty on Lorenzo Amoruso ” Somebody compared him to Billy McNeil, but I don’t remember Billy being crap.”

Another classic from Big Ron ”Well Clive, It’s all about the two M’s. Movement and positioning.”

I wouldn’t listen to Jim White even without K•••n. He a total to$$er

I must be losing it because I had it in mind that Speedie climbed up the fence at the Darwen end after his hat trick goal against Newcastle, but not in the clip. What a player Speedie was.

Another example of historical manipulation. Brockhall first opened in 1907 as an institution for inebriated women, so didn’t exist when the period of the film is set.

This is soo difficult when you consider the players from the UK and Ireland who have played for the club. We were truly blessed with a very high standard over the years. I can’t argue with Shearer or Bellamy in the line up but I’ve always had a soft spot for David Speedie because of how he got us through to the play offs and how he got us that penalty. Also as far as strikers go, even Tyrone hasn’t mentioned Andy McEvoy.

I would definitely have Mike England in the team and also Keith Newton was a better full back than any that have been mentioned

Tyrone may remember better than I do but I seem to think that Bill Eckersley’s testimonial, many stars of his era turned out including Tom Finney, but Stan Mathews didn’t because he requested a fee to play. It is also in the back of my mind that Eckersley’s partner at full back in the England team was Alf Ramsey.

Can Rovers report Williams to Trading Standards and get their money back?

If this team were playing outside my front window I’d be drawing the curtains. I hate Paul Cook but I wish TM would give our lot a team talk like Cooks at HT.

Manic Street Preachers - Of Walking Abortion

Winter in the Sun - Donovan

Manfred Mann. - Blinded by the Light

Regarding the merits, or not, of the Scottish leagues I admit that the once strong flow of talent moving to English clubs has long gone. Having said that, there is still the odd player who must be hiding somewhere in those leagues. In tonight’s Champions League final is one such player namely Andy Robertson. Rejected by Celtic as a 15 year old, went to play for Queens Park as an amateur before being transferred to Dundee Utd. where he was spotted by ex dingle Stan Ternent who was scouting for Hull City at the time and came south to easily make his mark. It shows that there can be players waiting to be discovered, it’s a case of having the scouting network to find them. Do we have such a network?

All day long Tyrone.

Maybe this one?

Very sad that Mike has passed away. It was an honour to see him play in our blue and white halves. What a fabulous forward line we had. RIP Mike.

Well it's a hell of a lot better than that Irish dross.

Ipswich Town's Portman Road pitch was always one of the best in the country from what I remember, yet watching the Football League Show last Saturday it looked in a sorry state. Must be Global Warming / start of the next Ice Age. Whichever side of the fence is in vogue this week.

Another few who played for both. Is Neil Danns there now? Frank Stapleton Gary Harkins Andy Taylor Lee Makel Simon Ireland

History Not as good as ours. Still impressive though. They were formed in 1908, and in that time have mostly played in the top two divisions, recently being promoted to the Championship after an 11 year absence. They were the first team to win the First Division three times in a row (which has since been replicated by Arsenal, Liverpool and United), which they did so in 1923/4, 1924/5 and 1925/6. They were also runners-up in the following two seasons. They’ve won the FA Cup on the one occasion, after a 1-0 victory against Preston in 1928. Incidentally, they knocked us out along the way that season, after a 1-1 draw at Ewood, we went back to their place and got pumped 5-0 in a third round replay. They also knocked out Burnley in the first round. We got revenge though as we beat them 3-1 in the final in 1928. They’ve also reached another 3 finals on top of those two, in 1920, 1930 and 1938, losing to Villa, Arsenal and Preston respectively. They won the FA cup against PNE in 1922. In 1928 they were soundly thrashed by the Rovers 3-1

Very sad news. I too enjoyed reading his posts. Always well balanced and always interesting. RIP Kelbo.

Very sad news indeed. Ronnie was a top class player with skill and grace and a fantastic ability to read the game. Along with my all time hero Duggie, he was what everything about Rovers meant to me. A one club man who reached the absolute pinnacle in his sport, captain of his beloved club and country at a time when it meant so much then. That was a time when there was no need to run around kissing the badge in a fake gesture of belonging. Ronnie was a class act who could have played anywhere but chose to stay a Rover. A true blue, a true gent and a truly humble man. Ronnie’s passing will be deeply felt by many at Ewood, but we should also remember the loss to his wife and family and friends. RIP Ronnie Clayton and heartfelt thanks for being one of us.