[Archived] Testimonials

[Florida Rover]

Just curious,prior to Tony Parkes' testimonial at Ewood,when was the last Rovers testimonial played and how many have been played since 1960?If anyone remembers the details about said matches,I'd appreciate it.

Cheers.

[mohelger]

A testimonial for Simon Garner was played at Ewood Park on May 18th 2003, according to Wikipedia this was his second testimonal...

[Ray-Von]

Ones that I attended from the top of my head were Simon Garners (Newcastle in the Summer of 1988) and his second effort in 2003 and Terry Gennoe's (against Aberdeen of all people) in Autumn 1992 just after we had been promoted.

[mattym]

Ronnie Clayton had a testimonial in the late 60's against an England 11, as Ronnie Was England Captain for 5 of his 35 Games.

[Mike Graham]

I still have the programme at home somewhere for the Derek Fazackerly testimonial I went to in ?????

[SAS]

i can only remember tony parkes and simon garners

went to both

[Al]

I went to Bill Eckersley's testimonial match but can't remember the date.

[Will]

I remember going to Simon Garners (Both), Tony Parkes, Terry Genoe's & Glenn Keeley's

[arrodblue]

Rovers held a testimonial for the late, great Noel Brotherston in the early 90s, after Noel had left the club. A pitifully low crowd saw Rovers lose to Man City.

I can also vaguely remember a testimonial for a guy called Fred O'Donoghue(?) who must have been on the Rovers coaching staff. Rovers played a Northern Ireland International XI and I can remember Jimmy Quinn playing for both sides.

[AndyR]

Was Terry Gennoes not against Preston in around 87-88??

I definately remember attending a testimonial around this time v PNE as I was chased from Mill Hill Station along with 50-60 North End fans by the Blackburn youth - dispite wearing my Rovers shirt!!

[Ray-Von]

  AndyR said:

Was Terry Gennoes not against Preston in around 87-88??

I definately remember attending a testimonial around this time v PNE as I was chased from Mill Hill Station along with 50-60 North End fans by the Blackburn youth - dispite wearing my Rovers shirt!!

Andy, we played PNE at home in the Manx Cup in the Summer of 88, they beat us 3-2 with Mark Patterson scoring the winner for them.

[den]

  arrodblue said:

I can also vaguely remember a testimonial for a guy called Fred O'Donoghue(?) who must have been on the Rovers coaching staff.

Fred was chief scout at Ewood and very much liked.

He came to visit Jim Smith at Preston Royal when he was in the next bed to my dad.

[Will]

I can remember going to watch Chorley Vs Preston at Ewood in the FAC.

The Blackburn end was full of Chorley, Rovers and PNE, Kicked off big style.

I also remember the Noel Brotherston one, didnt he die in a car crash ?

[RevidgeBlue]

  Will said:

I also remember the Noel Brotherston one, didnt he die in a car crash ?

That was Mick Heaton our right back from the 70's

Noel died of a heart attack I think.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Yes, poor Noel died suddenly of a heart attack aged just 38.

Bill Eckersleys testimonial was played infront of a crowd of 21,000+!!

[Gav]

  AndyR said:

Was Terry Gennoes not against Preston in around 87-88??

I definately remember attending a testimonial around this time v PNE as I was chased from Mill Hill Station along with 50-60 North End fans by the Blackburn youth - dispite wearing my Rovers shirt!!

Manx Cup

[Florida Rover]

So, to sum it up(to the best of people's knowledge) we have had 9 Rover testimonials in the last 45 years or so.

Ronnie Clayton sometime in the 1960's?

Bill Eckersley sometime in the 1970's?

Derek Fazackerly unknown date

Glenn Keeley unknown date

Noel Brotherson(played posthumously) early 1990's

Fred O'Donoghue unknown date

Terry Gennoe 1992

Simon Garner first 1988 second 2003

Tony Parkes 2004

Is that a good synopsis/any other details from your collective memories?

Edited August 10, 2006 by Florida Rover

[den]

Not sure about Fred O'Donoghues. Fred died - could it have been for his family - anyone?

I don't remember that particular testimonial.

Surely Duggie had one? I went to one in the 60's but can't remember anything about it.

[Claytons Left Boot]

  den said:

Surely Duggie had one? I went to one in the 60's but can't remember anything about it.

I was at both Duggie's and Ronnie's which were within a year or so of each other towards the end of the 60's.

[92er]

  Claytons Left Boot said:

I was at both Duggie's and Ronnie's which were within a year or so of each other towards the end of the 60's.

And Noddy starred in both.

[stuwilky]

I was in the old "exec" lounge in the Nuttall Street stand for Terry's testimonial!

Cant for the life of me remember its name though.

Got the programme upstairs. Signed by the great man himself.

[Exiled in Toronto]

  Claytons Left Boot said:

I was at both Duggie's and Ronnie's which were within a year or so of each other towards the end of the 60's.

Didn't Clayton and Duggie have a joint one at the end of the 68-69 season?

[OhmiBRFC]

whys jack walker never had one?

[John Howarth]

To the best of my knowledge the following testimonials have been played at Ewood Park since 1960:

April 24th 1961 Bill Eckersley. Rovers against Bill Eckersley Select X1

Ocober 20th 1969 Bryan Douglas. Oppenents -International X1

December 2nd 1969 Ronnie Clayton- Oppenents International X1

May 16th 1977 Mick Heaton & Andy Burgin- Oppenents Manchester City

May 1st 1978. Stuart Metcalfe. Oppenents-Everton

May 5th 1980. Derek Fazackerley. Oppenents-Preston North End

May 18th 1983. Tony Parkes. Oppenents-Everton

May 16th 1984. Norman Bell.Oppenents-Burnley

May 14th 1985. Fred O'Donoghue. Oppenents-Northern Ireland

May 12th 1987. Glenn Keeley. Oppenents- Preston North End

Aug 19th 1988. Simon Garner. Oppenents- Newcastle United

September 11th 1990. Noel Brotherston-Oppenents Manchester City

October 10th 1992. Terry Gennoe. Oppenents-Aberdeen

May 18th 2003. Simon Garner. Oppenents-Blackburn Rovers X1

May 17th 2005. Tony Parkes. Oppenents. Tony Parkes select X1

In addition there was a testimonial for John Byrom played at Burnden Park on November 6th 1978, between

Rovers and Bolton and on July 28th 1993, a testimonial was held for Ally McCleod at Ayr United between Ayr and Rovers

[Florida Rover]

John,

Thanks so much for all that info and that puts paid to my question.Noted the dingles playing for one;I'll bet that was an interesting match!

Florida Rover