Just got this mail from the club ROVERS GET 30,000 TICKETS ROVERS have been allocated 30,797 tickets for the FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday April 16th (kick-off 12.15pm). Full details of the ticket application process (along with a booking form) will be contained on a special information leaflet which Rovers intend to distribute at the turnstiles at this Saturday's Premier League fixture with the Gunners. However, early information, reveals prices at:- £25, £35, £45, £55 (there are half-price concessions in the family enclosure). Tickets are likely to arrive at Ewood Park by the middle of next week and will go on sale to Season Ticket Holders from Good Friday. Rovers supporters will occupy the North End of the stadium - a repeat of the glorious Worthington Cup triumph in 2002.

Nope thats the Saturday before (9th). As I have said before- they where holding out on Newcastle because they wanted MU on the Saturday at the initial KO time (17-15) so as to get the prime time TV audience etc - this has now backfired. How the hell are you supposed to really enjoy a build up to the game - its bad enough at a normal league game Now its a battle of moral for a lot of Rovers fans and in the good words of the Clash ' should I stay or should I go?'

Well their intent on making sure evrybody can see it is working as the majority will be watching it on telly So much for the extra seats Early signs show its not gone down well with the Gooners fans either on the Arsenal Mania MB Looks like even the big club and Premier League Champions don't envisage selling all the tickets UP YOURS FA!!

I did Den - mentioned about Jansen being away from the club in Rehab but didn't say where Also went into discussion re the contracts of players that are due up and that he is due to sit down with MH over Eatser re these and also re next season even though they know what they want/need. He commented upon the gap getting wider re the distribution of of funds in the game and how hefeels only the 3 usuual suspects have a chance of winning the title now adding Newcastle and Liverpool as only another two possible giants to compete. Also about the game last night and how we would be different to last season. The full interview is the BBC Radio Lancashire site - VIEW FROM THE BOARDROOM

Good result - got be happy with the point - would have taken it before the match and we got what we went for. Rather than boring, I found it a very interesting tussle from a Blackburn view - although could understand for the neutral. As we all know, Hughes has to work with what he has at the moment but we seriously need to sort out our attacking ways - otherwise we will get found out sooner rather than later. Do we have the ability to play differently?- If the ref had given the penalty (how did he not for the pull on the shirt?) could we have got a result - I doubt it. Thought as others Mokoena had his best game - MGP looked liked he had taken on the Blackburn curse now of 'Thou shalt not take a good corner or freekick whilst an established first team Rover' Emerton - was just Emerton - cut in turn around and do the hokey cokey Johannson - looked liked he was auditoning for a part in Bugsy Malone Flitcroft - was just the ususal ruffle a few feathers Flitcroft Stead- thought he did excellent under the circumstance - no decent balls but worked is socks off and laid on a a good few balls can't understand him being subbed unless he is being rested for Saturday Reid - thought he had an excellent game and probably should have scored at the start of the second half - our driving force. Matteo - somebody already mentioned about him looking fast for some reason - great tackle towards the end Todd & Horatio - Its already been said Neill - Had is usual 5 min nap but did ok otherwise Gallagher - ?? Friedal - think he was there - saw him having a cup of tea and a prawn sarnie in the boxes Anyway another point towards salvation and hope for next season.

Ah speeeeeedie... That's why I took the liberty of contacting the IMUSA - just waiting to see if they reply at the moment. Anyway gave them a link to here Just to update - I got a reply from IMUSA 'Stuart Yes we have had a few of those. Thanks for contacting us its nice to know we have wider support. I had a mail from some one who was trying to set up a Blackburn ISA, did it ever happen? FYI a little bird tells me your semi may be switched to Villa Park on the Sunday. Mark' I have mailed back re the ISA and the source

Yep understand the cave bit just interpeted differently ... whoops Still ll bureaucratic nonsense at the end of the day though - although I do agree with your comments Its that galling fact though that the FA have us over a barrel - problem is I am seriously considering not going should it be a 12 noon kick off - and I don't think I will be the only one.

Not what I've heard/ and read previouslyPhilipl Slagged us when we played Celtic and also when we played Arsenal earlier this season - this is the first thing I've seen/ heard from him that has given us any credit

Caved in? Be fair...there is nothing Rovers can do about this. It is the FA Cup and it is ultimately up to the FA where and when it stages the game. Who said anything about caving in? Think I am being fair just referring to fact that why attend a meeting FFS if there is nothing they can do? If Rovers don't feel they can do anything - why should the fans consider turning up at 12 and probably having to set off at ridiculous times and have to consider more expensive options of travel.

Yep and very good of him to reply However, as I have said to StuW on PM I get the feeling Rovers have given in already

Ah speeeeeedie... That's why I took the liberty of contacting the IMUSA - just waiting to see if they reply at the moment. Anyway gave them a link to here

Same could be said about us also Paul Would appear the players feel confident and Hughes as come out with a 'ready for anything' sort of statement - our ticket is still in the tombola so we have a chance. Most Rovers fans appear to feel confident we can beat Arsenal and before the draw they where who I wanted as I felt it was our best chance of getting tot he final - don't know why but now I'm not so sure. Anyway, we are there and regardless of what day/time/planet we play on we still have as good a chance as Arsenal in 90mins or more.

Im out at Newport as well. Duff/Stu Cardifff is very easily accessible from Newport and is on the trainline and trains run regular - going in is not a problem - just the getting back after if anything like when we played Spurs. The nightmare scenario is if both games are on the Saturday - what do they expect - MU and Newcastle fans to wait whilst ourselves and Arsenal fans go into Cardiff first? .... yeah right! GAV - Feel your comments are a bit out of hand here - and as what other have said- it might be a one off but we have as much right to complain as anybody else and there is no better time to do it IMO.

speeeeeeedie I have posted on Boards for the other 3 to see what sort of reaction Have registered for the Red Issue but not had confirmation for Access yet The IMUSA are cetainly taking issue with it but for teams like MU and Newcastle for those that don't go there will be others who take their place - unlike us, as with what we have seen at home if somebody doesn't go its very unlikely we will have the numbers to fill the places. MU have the numbers regardless and Newcastle being geordies will just go anyway Arsenals fans would appear to be more peeved now with all the mention of the 12 noon kick off

Don't doubt your help Paul OnFA CUP PETITION the same sort of topic -see this if yo don't know about it already

Hi Paul Did the concerns get raised? Point about the FA not acting in the Interest of the fans etc Boycotting not the word - cost and chance is the game - do we risk or do we not and hope we get through?

speeeeeeedie!!!!!!!!!!

Here we go folks got my reply- make of it what you will but to me it is all about Money and reading between the lines the replenishing of funds for their wasting of monies on the ' New Wembley'. At least they replied anyway Thinking of a reply at moment but will just hang fire for the minute - have been trying to get on the MU Board (Red issue) but waiting for access at minute - also posted on Geordie board At least they replied anyway Dear Supporter, Many thanks for contacting The Football Association. We appreciate there are arguments for and against any venue we use for the semi-finals in terms of capacity, accessibility, neutrality and location. Over the last few years the decision on semi-final venues has consistently attracted criticism, even though these are the ones now being touted in many of your e-mails as the preferred venues (Villa Park and Old Trafford) Travel time to and from games has been a major cause of complaint for both these venues so it is not something that is exclusive to the Millennium Stadium. We based our decision on the following; -With a capacity of 74,525, it is significantly larger than both Villa Park (42,602) and Old Trafford (68,210) which have hosted the Semi-Finals in recent years. -The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff's ability to stage games of this size. Cardiff has also proved to be a very popular venue for fans in the past -Revenue generated due to the fact that at least 30,000 extra fans will be able to attend these games. It's an unavoidable fact that as the major funding body in football we have a responsibility to the long term future of the game, this future needs funding. What should be highlighted is that The FA is a not for profit organisation and has invested over £150 million in grass roots football over the last three years. We appreciate that like the Millennium Stadium, there are arguments for any of the venues mentioned in the e-mails fans have sent through. Nevertheless, the decisions on venues always attract criticism from certain quarters as it's impossible to pick a venue that perfectly matches the needs of the various stakeholders in an FA Cup Semi-Final. We fully appreciate your comments and your concerns and these will be circulated to the relevant decision makers in this organisation. Thank you for taking the time to write. Yours sincerely, Jonathan Arana Senior Customer Relations Manager The FA

Think the Geordies will have a shorter one whatever the circumstances

There is no way Arsenal and Rovers fans would be clear of the city before the Utds arrive. Absolute rubbish and the potential for more chaos. Possible Paul but you never know with the FA. I agree and who is to say many wouldn't be staying anyway - in addition the likelihood is they would probably all be arriving earlier anyway to sample the atmosphere. Wherever the information is from there must hav e been some rumblings somewhere as this is also on the Arsenal World MB

WTF is going on?????????????????????????????????? SEMI FINAL

I'll believe it when it's on the FA's web-site. Channel 4 may just be saying that because we were drawn out first. Its possible, my better half said to me it had said we where playing on Saturday on the ews but she couldn't remember which. However, on Radio Lancs last night, a BBC spokesman said a decision will not be made until later this week nad is all dependent upon Newcastle and their involvement in the UEFA Cup. To me this reads, that they definitely had MU pencilled in for the Saturday game, otherwise why wait and just do as normal where whoever plays in Europe plays on the Sunday. Anybody have any link for the Mu representative - tempted to send him a mail in agreement and my feelings. As for getting out of Cardiff - we did the same except we caught the train in from Newport which is excellent getting in - but a nightmare after the match.

paddyk - What's your opinion of the Semi's being at Cardiff?

And here's the reply the FA would give if they were actually being honest... Dear CAPTAIN KAYOS, Thank you very much for your e-mail. You are absolutely right that consideration for the supporters is the last thing in on our mind. Why should the supporters be a priority? We have taken the decision after it became clear that 75,000 fans at the Millenium Stadium would bring in significantly more revenue for us. The four clubs take 65% of the money, and the FA takes a large chunk of the rest. To hold the Newcastle/Manchester United game at the City Of Manchester Stadium, for example, which holds 48,000, and the Rovers/Arsenal game at Villa Park - which holds 42,000 and is a more central location between Blackburn and Arsenal - would not have brought us enough revenue. You're absolutely right that playing the games in Cardiff will lead to increased congestion and strains on the public transport system. But we don't really care about that. It's not our problem. You're right as well that we can change kick-off times, venues and dates whenever it suits us. We usually do that with little consideration for the supporters. On this occasion, it suits the FA to hold both games in the Millenium Stadium. We couldn't care less about FA Cup tradition and the fact that semi-finals should be held on a neutral English venue which is different from the final. Our only consideration is ourselves. I'm sure you'll be aware that the FA has a large amount of expenditure. There's Sven's £4m a year wages. Brain Barwick, the FA Chief Executive also earns a lucrative salary. Then there's the hospitality, champagne and smoked salmon sandwiches that we require for dining guests in London and the luxury first class air travel that we need for foreign trips abroad. (Usually staying at five star hotels.) I'm sure you'll appreciate CAPTAIN KAYOS that all this costs money. The fact that we can boost our coffers by holding the semi-finals at Cardiff suits the FA perfectly. We don't give a damn about supporters. But thank you for your e-mail anyway. Yours, THE FA. Exactly what I think they will reply AESF Coming around to it - it was a bit off the cuff even though I have had the feelings ever since they had the first semis at Wembley - as with most things you tend not to do anything until it affects you directly. At least if I'm not the only one it might jerk the jerks to think about future semi's. Here's hoping Anyway roll on the Arse ....

Eh? Could only have drawn 2 other teams who would have been just as hard and IMO are harder to beat. Personally , I feel Arsenal could be there for the taking especially with the way we are playing at the moment. Saturday should give us a fair reflection hopefully.