In 1989, a forty-year old Billy Joel was in the studio conversing with a twenty-one-year-old friend of Sean Lennon apparently, reminiscing about significant events in his life-time. From this, the seeds of “We Didn’t Start The Fire” were sown and the song was released in September, eventually reaching number seven in the UK charts.

Also in September 1989, but this time in Blackburn, a new football fanzine was launched called “4,000 Holes”. It is not known as to whether Billy Joel sent in contributions under a pseudonym.

Anyhow, inspired by these two events, it seemed opportune to celebrate the 100th issue of 4,000 Holes by creating a Rovers version of “We Didn’t Start The Fire”. So settle down, fire up the YouTube karaoke version and enjoy a good old sing-song and a reminisce simultaneously!

And yes, the syllables do match, so it does scan. Here we go...

The 60s

John Barton, Barrie Hole, Don Martin, Jim Beardall

Relegation, desperation, dropping to the third

Eddie Quigley, Billy Wilson, Eamonn Rogers, Keith Newton

Ken Furphy comes on board, showing that he cared

The 70s

Gordon Lee takes the reins, Rovers start winning games

Graham Hawkins, Tony Parkes, Beamo blasts it o’er the bar

Teddies on the Riverside, going up won’t be denied

Stuart Metcalfe, Roger Jones, Plymouth Argyle Goodbye!

I’ll always be a Rover

Fire was surely burning 

Since the world's been turning

I’ll always be a Rover

In a blue and white kit

No point trying to fight it

Jim Iley comes then goes, Third Division goodness knows

Basil Rathbone, Derek Faz, Crawford scores again

Arnold, Tony Parkes, Dunc McKenzie, making sparks

Howard Kendall, Blues are going up

The 80s

Saxton, David Mail, John Lowey, Norman Bell

Colin Randell, Glenn Keeley, Simon Garner scores again

Noel Brotherston, Simon Barker, Gennoe

Jimmy Quinn, Rovers win, trouble on the terrace

I’ll always be a Rover

Fire was surely burning 

Since the world's been turning

I’ll always be a Rover

In a blue and white kit

No point trying to fight it

87 FMC, whole of Blackburn to Wembley

Vince O’Keefe, Ainscow, Hendry with the winning goal

Play off glory three straight years, Palace/Courtney causing tears

Don Mackay, what a guy, sad we had to say goodbye

The 90s

Uncle Jack, Kenny back, television, and press pack

Plymouth lose 5-2, much to look forward to

Ray Harford, comes on board, Blackburn Rovers football

New signings, stronger side, children of the Riverside

I’ll always be a Rover

Fire was surely burning 

Since the world's been turning

I’ll always be a Rover

In a blue and white kit

No point trying to fight it

Southampton, Shearer, title getting nearer

Ripley, Batty, Cantona goes potty

Shearer scoring just for fun, Sutton worth £5million

Tim Flowers, bottle, “Blackburn beats Newcastle”

Wilcox, Tony Gale, West Ham heroes cannot fail

MU play, draw away, what else do I have to say

I’ll always be a Rover

Fire was surely burning 

Since the world's been turning

I’ll always be a Rover

In a blue and white kit

No point trying to fight it

The 00s

Souness signs, Andy Cole, down in Cardiff scores a goal

Matty, Sparky, hold aloft, trophy

Duffer, Dunny, feeling fine, dancing on the touchline

Friedel is our Superman, if he can’t save it no one can

The 10s

Owen Coyle, going down, Tony Mowbray comes to town 

Danny G, Bradley D, goals, scored, victories

King of Ewood Fleetwood goal, Corry Evans on the ball

Charlie Mulgrew heads one more, listen to the Rovers roar

I’ll always be a Rover

Fire was surely burning 

Since the world's been turning

I’ll always be a Rover

But when we are gone

Will it still burn on, and on, and on, and on?

I’ll always be a Rover

Fire was surely burning 

Since the world's been turning

I’ll always be a Rover

In a blue and white kit

No point trying to fight it

I’ll always be a Rover

Fire was surely burning 

Since the world's been turning...

*This article was originally in Issue 100 of 4,000 Holes in February 2020. Please support the continued existence of the fanzine by considering a subscription or buying the occasional copy. Thank you.