There's Only One Simon Garner.

[Alan75]

If ever there were a player who could be classed as a working class hero, the name of Simon Garner would spring to mind in the thoughts of Blackburn Rovers supporters.

Although the younger generation of supporters, who have been brought up on Premier League football, never saw him play, they are fully aware of his contribution to the club.

In today’s mercenary world of footballers, Simon is one the last of a dieing breed of players, who virtually spent all his life as a professional footballer at one club. A player who mixed with the local community and wasn’t afraid to join the supporters for a pint in a local pub after the game and chat about his and the clubs performance of that day.

This Sunday the generation that watched him play, and the younger generation who have been educated in the folklore that is Simon Garner have the opportunity to pay their respects to the player who holds the record as the clubs top goal scorer. Even with all the stars that have passed through Ewood Park since Jack Walker re-established the club as a driving force there is still only one player from past days whose name is regularly chanted by the supporters home and away.

At Ewood Park this Sunday Graeme Souness’s Worthington Cup Winner will play Kenny Dalglish’s Championship Winners. And even though certain players will miss the event due to prior engagements or injuries, the main chant known to young and old will be “There’s Only One Simon Garner”.

Sundays event will also give Rovers supporters a second opportunity to honour the current team, who qualified for the UEFA Cup last Sunday and to give the academy players a round of applause after they won the U19 Championship this week in the final against Aston Villa.

Tickets for the game will be available right up to kick-off with prices ranging from £12 for adults to £6 for juniors

Kick off 4pm Sunday 18th May 2003.