MATCHES

2020: Middlesbrough 1–1 Rovers Lewis Travis drove forward, exchanged passes with Adam Armstrong and slotted past Aynsley Pears to give Rovers the lead, but Boro levelled in the 75th minute.

2017: Rovers 1–2 Leeds United An identical fixture to one 22 years earlier. Elliott Bennett equalised late on but Pontus Jansson snatched a winner for Leeds as the end of Owen Coyle’s reign loomed.

2014: Rovers 2–0 Blackpool David Dunn and Grant Hanley goals took Rovers up to 8th in the Championship, but that’s the highest position Gary Bowyer would finish in as manager.

2012: Rovers 0–2 Newcastle United Another home defeat as Rovers headed towards relegation under Steve Kean.

2006: Rovers 4–3 Manchester United One of the greatest matches ever seen at Ewood. Rovers went into a 4–1 lead with a David Bentley hat-trick on the day after he had signed permanently and held on after a late United comeback.

2004: Rovers 2–3 Chelsea Garry Flitcroft gave Rovers an early lead before two Frank Lampard goals. 19-year-old substitute Paul Gallagher equalised in the 87th minute but Glen Johnson smashed in a spectacular late winner.

1997: Rovers 2–1 West Ham First half goals from Kevin Gallacher and Chris Sutton helped Tony Parkes to another crucial three points in the quest to avoid relegation. A very young Rio Ferdinand came on a sub and grabbed a consolation. 

1995: Rovers 1–1 Leeds United Tim Flowers was sent off in the first minute, Alan Shearer scored a penalty but Gary McAllister equalised late on. Arguably Shearer’s best Rovers performance in his unforeseen role as a lone forward – he received a rare 10/10 from Peter White.

1992: Rovers 2–1 Swindon Town Rovers consolidated top spot in the Second Division with goals from Colin Hendry and David Speedie. Surely automatic promotion would be secured?

1986: Rovers 2–2 Hull City Alan Ainscow scored two goals in two minutes on his Rovers debut.

1975: Rovers 0–1 Peterborough Rovers’ only home defeat of the Third Division Championship winning campaign, as Peterborough completed a league double in front of 12,323 supporters.

1958: Derby County 0–3 Rovers Ally MacLeod and Peter Dobing (2) gave Rovers a convincing win at the Baseball Ground in the Division Two promotion campaign

TRANSFERS

2012: Ryan Nelsen was released from his contract and signed for Tottenham on a six-month deal the following day.

2016: Jordan Rhodes joined Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £9m, after scoring 85 goals in 169 appearances for Rovers.

BIRTHDAYS

Alan Fettis, born 1971 (aged 53). Northern Ireland international goalkeeper, now a coach at Middlesbrough.