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[Archived] Blackburn Rovers FC v Plymouth Argyle FC

bob fleming

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bob fleming World Cup

bob fleming

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Tuesday October 17 2017 7.45pm

 

It’s probably about time I did this preview. Or rather I’d rather it wasn’t if you know what I mean. Argyle, you see, have been below us (OK, occasionally on a par with us – read on) for as long as I can remember, in fact longer than I can remember, and possibly just before that as well. That’s just the way it’s been, no disrespect to them here.

 

So we’ve ended up in Division 3 and we get to play them after they were promoted last year and we… well we all know about us, we did the opposite.

 

There have been some fairly significant games between the clubs over the years. The first that I’m aware of goes down in folklore I think it’s safe to say…

 

Saturday 15 February 1975. Blackburn Rovers 5 Plymouth Argyle 2

I was five. I wasn’t there. Chances are, neither were many of you (prepare to be proven wrong bob!). 

 

In case you haven’t seen it before this is a great read…

https://www.brfcs.com/mb/index.php?/forums/topic/13810-rovers-5-plymouth-2/

 

The Argyle keeper clearly had one eye on the future and chucked five in.

 

Saturday 12 October 1991. Blackburn Rovers 5 Plymouth Argyle 2

Let’s fast forward 16 years to this game. Could it be true? Was it really happening? Kenny Dalglish?!??

 

Yes, yes it could. I couldn’t believe it and neither could you I expect. 

 

Hither: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfvjGTbEdo0

 

(Good result for Hearts there by the way).

 

Goal scorers: Moran, Garner x2 and Speedie x2.

 

Saturday 02 May 1992. Plymouth Argyle 1 Blackburn Rovers 3

Fast forward again. The wheels were coming off in spectacular fashion. We needed to win this one to get into the play offs after at one stage looking like running away with it. Unfortunately for Argyle I seem to recall they needed to win as well to avoid relegation.

 

Speedie got a hat trick. What a player he was.

 

This was when inflatables were all the rage. A few bananas, and a massive crocodile. Funny what you remember 25 years on.

 

One guy next to us on the terraces, having made the long trip that morning presumably, simply couldn’t bear to watch. He decided to sit on the terracing for the entire second half and missed the lot. That’s where we were at the time though – we wanted promotion so, so, much. And of course we finally did it that season, and in some style, at Wembley after those two absolutely epic games against Derby County. Here’s the 3-1 win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-olyk5XCIg  

 

The coach took hours to get back, we ended up back in Blackburn at something like midnight. Mr G’s nightclub emporium just wasn’t the same sober let me assure you.

 

Saturday 02 January 2016 - Carlisle United 0 Plymouth Argyle 2 – Ewood Park

Then of course there was this game. Carlisle was flooded so they moved it to Ewood you’ll recall. I went in the away end – i.e. Nuttall Street enclosure, Darren End side. This was Argyle’s last visit. They won with two goals from Ryan Brunt, who now plays for Argyle’s arch rivals exeter. They can just pack that winning at Ewood in right now.

 

And so on to next week’s game. First and foremost fair play to any Argyle fan making the long journey. A 9 to 10 hour round trip if their lucky I’d imagine.

 

What of the teams and form?

 

Well we know about Rovers of course. And do bear in mind that this has been posted before the win / draw / loss / postponement at Oldham.

 

Argyle aren’t doing very well. They took a single point in League 1 in September and also lost their last league game before Saturday (11th). They did however beat exeter on penalties a couple of weeks ago. But one win all season means they are surely due another soon. As is the BRFCS way, my advice is to get your money on their main striker to end his goal drought on Tuesday. That’s Jake Jervis by the way. He has two goals to date.

 

Prediction? 5-2 to us of course. Although I don’t see how Argyle will get two. Or us five for that matter. So, while not inevitable it’s just bound to happen :P

 

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bob fleming World Cup

bob fleming

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10 minutes ago, meadows said:

In actual fact Bob we didn’t need to win the Plymouth game to make the play-offs in 92. 

Even had we lost that day we qualified 

Was it a case of had we lost and the other team(s) won we'd have missed out though? 

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bob fleming World Cup

bob fleming

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9 minutes ago, meadows said:

At start of day a possibility. But they didn’t. A defeat would still have seen us qualify. 

Ah... there you go then. We certainly didn't travel as though it was a dead rubber. It was a fair following that day.

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Tom World Cup

Tom

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Thanks for this Bob, I've just due to this thread realised we are playing on Tuesday.

I was meant to be in London for work but I'll find a excuse to swerve it :) 

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USABlue World Cup

USABlue

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12 hours ago, bob fleming said:

Tuesday October 17 2017 7.45pm

 

It’s probably about time I did this preview. Or rather I’d rather it wasn’t if you know what I mean. Argyle, you see, have been below us (OK, occasionally on a par with us – read on) for as long as I can remember, in fact longer than I can remember, and possibly just before that as well. That’s just the way it’s been, no disrespect to them here.

 

So we’ve ended up in Division 3 and we get to play them after they were promoted last year and we… well we all know about us, we did the opposite.

 

There have been some fairly significant games between the clubs over the years. The first that I’m aware of goes down in folklore I think it’s safe to say…

 

Saturday 15 February 1975. Blackburn Rovers 5 Plymouth Argyle 2

I was five. I wasn’t there. Chances are, neither were many of you (prepare to be proven wrong bob!). 

 

In case you haven’t seen it before this is a great read…

https://www.brfcs.com/mb/index.php?/forums/topic/13810-rovers-5-plymouth-2/

 

The Argyle keeper clearly had one eye on the future and chucked five in.

 

Saturday 12 October 1991. Blackburn Rovers 5 Plymouth Argyle 2

Let’s fast forward 16 years to this game. Could it be true? Was it really happening? Kenny Dalglish?!??

 

Yes, yes it could. I couldn’t believe it and neither could you I expect. 

 

Hither: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfvjGTbEdo0

 

(Good result for Hearts there by the way).

 

Goal scorers: Moran, Garner x2 and Speedie x2.

 

Saturday 02 May 1992. Plymouth Argyle 1 Blackburn Rovers 3

Fast forward again. The wheels were coming off in spectacular fashion. We needed to win this one to get into the play offs after at one stage looking like running away with it. Unfortunately for Argyle I seem to recall they needed to win as well to avoid relegation.

 

Speedie got a hat trick. What a player he was.

 

This was when inflatables were all the rage. A few bananas, and a massive crocodile. Funny what you remember 25 years on.

 

One guy next to us on the terraces, having made the long trip that morning presumably, simply couldn’t bear to watch. He decided to sit on the terracing for the entire second half and missed the lot. That’s where we were at the time though – we wanted promotion so, so, much. And of course we finally did it that season, and in some style, at Wembley after those two absolutely epic games against Derby County. Here’s the 3-1 win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-olyk5XCIg  

 

The coach took hours to get back, we ended up back in Blackburn at something like midnight. Mr G’s nightclub emporium just wasn’t the same sober let me assure you.

 

Saturday 02 January 2016 - Carlisle United 0 Plymouth Argyle 2 – Ewood Park

Then of course there was this game. Carlisle was flooded so they moved it to Ewood you’ll recall. I went in the away end – i.e. Nuttall Street enclosure, Darren End side. This was Argyle’s last visit. They won with two goals from Ryan Brunt, who now plays for Argyle’s arch rivals exeter. They can just pack that winning at Ewood in right now.

 

And so on to next week’s game. First and foremost fair play to any Argyle fan making the long journey. A 9 to 10 hour round trip if their lucky I’d imagine.

 

What of the teams and form?

 

Well we know about Rovers of course. And do bear in mind that this has been posted before the win / draw / loss / postponement at Oldham.

 

Argyle aren’t doing very well. They took a single point in League 1 in September and also lost their last league game before Saturday (11th). They did however beat exeter on penalties a couple of weeks ago. But one win all season means they are surely due another soon. As is the BRFCS way, my advice is to get your money on their main striker to end his goal drought on Tuesday. That’s Jake Jervis by the way. He has two goals to date.

 

Prediction? 5-2 to us of course. Although I don’t see how Argyle will get two. Or us five for that matter. So, while not inevitable it’s just bound to happen :P

 

I thought you were older than that, what a day that 5-2 victory was back in 75 one of my favourite all time.  Early morning shenanigans by the Plymouth fans sion tempered down as it seemed like a call to arms for Blackburn nutters, I saw people on the Blackburn end that day I'd never seen before or since.  Beamo missed a penalty did he? Was a penalty or a sitter, memory very fuzzy.  I thought it was all over then but what a second half performance.  Don't remember much but was told it was.  I do remember not getting home till Sunday morning and me Saturday tea still sitting on top of the oven and me mum mad as a wet hen. But mum' you don't understand.  I think it was the last Saturday tea she ever made.

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arbitro

arbitro

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Thanks Bob, some great memories. The game in 1975 remains pretty fresh in the memories of most of us and I really don't there is too much of the rose tinted spectacles about it. A crowd of us Darreners went in the Darwen End but we were moved by the police into the Darwen End Enclosure which was easily accessible for the Plymouth fans to tease us as they raced into a 2-0 lead. After the third goal for us the tables were well and truly turned and a steady procession of Plymouth fans were escorted past us as they were ejected or arrested. Happy times which nobody can tarnish.

It will be another tough game with the visitors defending in numbers and uncompromising. Mowbray spoke about a way to beat teams who come to defend, I hope they have found the formula by next week.

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blueboy3333 World Cup

blueboy3333

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On the BRFCS link in the preview there are the list of names that played for Plymouth that day that later became part of Rovers history. i.e Saxton, Furnell and Randell. Thinking back I seem to remember Craig Skinner might have gone there back in the 80's (watched him once for the Ressies, thought he was better than Wilcox, I'm still available for scouting for Burnley) along with Anthony someone or other who left a few years ago and who was part of our reserves also. Graham Coughlan was another and maybe even Keith Hill. Andy Morrison is perhaps the best known. His book is a real eye-opener. Not to be messed with!           edit forgot Nicky Marker

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arbitro

arbitro

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7 minutes ago, meadows said:

The Plymouth fans arrived very early morning. I think the law then stated that a (solo) driver had to have X amount of rest between outbound & return journey...hence our coaches would often leave the Boulevard at around 11pm/midnight and arrrive In places afar like Southend at some ungodly hour

Amazingly, the old bill had asked for them to be dropped around Darwen Circus about 8am in the belief that they would float down to the ground and hang around for 5/6 hours

Of course they didn’t and had the wherewithal to clamber aboard buses into Blackburn. 

I was working Saturdays in Woolys and would virtually be first man In in the mornings when Rovers were at home, often working something like 6.30am till 2.30om and get the bus to Ewood. 

Shortly after opening it was panic stations as people arriving for work described hordes of Argyle fans marauding around and providing a threatening presence

The store was closed for a time as rumours of a large possee intent on looting and pillaging whatever they could get their hands on spread and I think a window or two got smashed around town 

If you go into the Reference Library the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for that day, printed about 2-3pm has on the front cover a graphic pic of a Rovers fan getting a kicking on the Boulevard,..manna from heaven for the Editor 30 yards away in his office who would have despatched his snapper over the road to record the carnage 

Ironically the unfortunate lad was just by the Telegraph stands by the phone boxes as he seemed to be enjoying the worst of the exchanges 

 I vividly remember meeting my pal Brian off his bus from Great Harwood later and walking along Bolton Rd in pretty calm order, think they had been rounded up and marched to the ground by then. Similar after, no trouble but a huge crowd of jubilant Rovers fans heading back to town on foot. 

The match itself was fantastic. Watching Lee’s side when it cranked into gear was like watching a tank batallion crush the resistance into the mud. 

Mike Hickman was star man for me that day, an absolute beast of a midfielder who wasn’t quick but opponents would bounce off him like they did off Jonah Lomu In his prime

What a shame it was never filmed. It was FA Cup 5th or 6th Round Day As i recall and any televised highlights on either channel would be Cup matches

Had it not been, Granada might surely have dipped into Div 3’s Match of the season for the Kick Off match 

So much of that era passed unrecorded on film.  Now every game at virtually every pro or semi pro level is preserved for posterity. 

 

I recall seeing a photo in the Telegraph of the statue of Queen Vic on the Boulevard painted green Jim. For years after the remnants of PAFC spray painted on the route to Ewood was still there. It was strange that after the game we didn't see any Plymouth fans. We were expecting lots of trouble but it was like they had vanished into thin air.

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den9112 Premier League

den9112

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2 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

On the BRFCS link in the preview there are the list of names that played for Plymouth that day that later became part of Rovers history. i.e Saxton, Furnell and Randell. Thinking back I seem to remember Craig Skinner might have gone there back in the 80's (watched him once for the Ressies, thought he was better than Wilcox, I'm still available for scouting for Burnley) along with Anthony someone or other who left a few years ago and who was part of our reserves also. Graham Coughlan was another and maybe even Keith Hill. Andy Morrison is perhaps the best known. His book is a real eye-opener. Not to be messed with!           edit forgot Nicky Marker

Product DetailsJust ordered it

 

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JAL World Cup

JAL

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Excellent preview Bob don't think your dad could prevent any of those five goals back on that joyful day in February 75. A game that lives long in the memory as the Green army took us all by surprise not only in the town but on the pitch early doors, only for Rovers and its supporters to regain full and total control over Argyle and their Green army.

For any of the younger supporters I'd liken the 75 game to the Derby play off game at Ewood when we was two down early doors only to come back and demolish the opposition.

 

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Tyrone Shoelaces

Tyrone Shoelaces

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This was the game that represented a real turn around in our fortunes after a good few years in the doldrums. A terrific game played in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd that generated a tremendous atomosphere at a time when we were becoming used to the sort of atomosphere we see at Ewood  these days.

I'd got the bus over from Rochdale but I don't recall seeing any trouble in town or on my way up to the ground. My abiding memory of the game was that Plymouth starting off like a house on fire with their twin strike force of Paul Mariner and Billy Rafferty giving us a hard time up front. We got more into the game after about half an hour. Second half I was stood on the Blackburn End watching wave after wave of Rovers attacks rain down on the Darwen End. 

We played a 4-3-3 system then with Beamish, Hickman (  a central striker not a midfield player ) and Don Martin up front with Metcalfe , Oates and Tony Parkes in midfield. The front three ran Plymouth ragged in the second half once the midfield had got a grip in the centre of the pitch. All three strikers scored as we took command of the game. We were very direct that day playing fast attacking football that Plymouth just couldn't handle. They looked a very dispirited bunch at the end of the game.

Walking back into town for my bus home I thought we'd finally turned a corner and we were on the way back as a force in Lancashire football. From that point we only lost one game as we strode to promotion, going up as champs.

Some really good players in that team -  Roger Jones in goal, Andy Burgin, a classy full back, Graham Hawkins a rock at centre half, Metcalfe's cleverness on the right side of midfield, Tony Parkes hard work and goals on the left, Don Martin an elegant player up front.

I reckon if that team played our current team they'd win easily, about 3-0 I reckon. Only Champagne Charlie would be certainly good enough to get a place. Samuel may have been good enough to get the No 9 shirt in place of Hickman and maybe Smallwood in place of Oates.

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