rog of the rovers

The Ultimate 150 Rovers List Part Seven: The Early Premier League and Jack Walker Era - 1992 - 2000 Poll runs from - 26th November to 3rd December 2025 Some additional notes - Though any personal feedback is greatly appreciated Dates determined by when the player or manager left the club. Kevin Moran - The inspirational Irishman captained Rovers to promotion before laying the foundations for the success that followed. David May - The academy product built his career in the late 80s before a fine first full campaign in the Premier League in 1992 whet the appetite for Rovers fans hoping May would have a long career in Blue and White. The player had other ideas an joined rivals Man Utd. May would end with plenty of medals, but not many appearances for United. Sir Kenny Dalglish - 'King' Kenny joined the Walker Rovers project after a brief retirement from Liverpool. Dalglish transformed the fortunes of the club, culminating in the Premier League title in May 1995. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee. Mark Atkins - Premier League Champion 1995 - The poster boy of 'under rated hero' of 1994/95. The title the crescendo of his 7 years at Rovers. Remains a firm fan favourite. "Super Atko, Super Atko, woah woah" Ray Harford - Harford joined Dalglish as Assistant Manager in 1991. The two would orchestrate the success that followed, with Harford credited with the majority of the coaching during that period. An unsuccessful spell as Boss saw his time at the club come to an end as he followed on from Kenny in 1995/96. Bobby Mimms - Goalkeeper as Rovers clinched promotion into the Premier League at Wembley in 1992. Mimms would remain first choice the following season before losing his place to Tim Flowers. An able deputy Mimms featured four times as Rovers won the Premier League in 1995. Mike Newell - Premier League Champion 1995 - Playoff Winners 1992 - A crucial piece in the 1992 promotion season, including scoring the winning penalty at Wembley. Champions League hat-trick in 1996 as Rovers beat Rosenborg. Alan Shearer - Premier League Champion 1995 - Arguably the best Rovers' player ever, certainly in living memory. Explosive striker with a rocket shot, great in the air, great everywhere. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee. David Batty - The combative Leodensian looked to be the final jigsaw piece for King Kenny as his form in 1993/94 lead him to win the Player of the Year award and England honours. He would however miss the majority of the title campaign thanks to a broken foot, famously refusing a winners medal. His Rovers career is perhaps best remembered for his infamous fight in Moscow with Graeme Le Saux. Graeme Le Saux - Premier League Champion 1995 - Cultured full back was also capped for England during his time at the club. The messy incident with Batty in Moscow a sad end to a fine spell at the club. Sven Goran Eriksson - The would be Rovers boss for all of two months. The then Sampdoria boss Sven would go on to huge success in Italy with Lazio before finally coming to these shores to manage the England national team from 2001-2006. A sliding doors moment in the clubs history. Roy Hodgson - Hodgson took the reigns after Sven politely declined the opportunity to come to Ewood. Under Roy the Rovers flew out of the traps in 97/98 sitting top at Christmas with Hodgson twice named 'Manager of the Month' for August and December 97. The second half collapse carried into the start of the 1998/99 season where Hodgson's reign came to an abrupt end with rumours of 'losing the dressing room' thanks to his intense 'European' (now standard) methods. Stuart Ripley - Premier League Champion 1995 - 2 England Caps - Flying right winger a key cog in the Premier League title machine, with 5 assists. Colin Hendry - Premier League Champion 1995 - 'Braveheart' also won the Full Members' Cup in 1987 as a striker with the winning goal at Wembley. Rock in the heart of the defence throughout the title season, his performance away at Goodison against Everton in the title run in epitomised his desire and courage. Important headed goals at Leeds and Aston Villa also crucial to the title victory. Tim Sherwood - Premier League Champion 1995 - Captain of the title winning team, overcame a tough start to his Rovers career to become the leader of the Champions. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee. Tim Flowers - Premier League Champion 1995 - 10 England Caps - Man of the match performance on VE Day at Ewood against Newcastle the crucial final push to Premier League glory. Just don't talk to him about 'bottle'. Jason Wilcox - Premier League Champion 1995 - 3 England Caps - 'Bolsar Boy' shrugged off his early critics to enjoy huge success at Ewood, 7 assists in the title winning season feeding the SAS from the left wing. Chris Sutton - Premier League Champion 1995 - The other, less heralded, half of the fabled SAS. Sutton's contributions that season and beyond put him firmly on this list. Carried his scoring prowess to a Premier League Golden Boot in 1997/98. Creating another fine partnership with Kevin Gallacher, SAS and GAS. Kevin Gallacher - A vital winning goal against Crystal Palace (h) in 94/95 his telling contribution to the title success as a recurring leg injury hampered his early Rovers career. A prolific partnership with Sutton in 1997/98 fired Rovers to a top 6 finish and back into Europe. A regular fixture at Ewood since retirement with both the club and Radio Lancashire. Jack Walker - Took control of the club in January 1991 and his legacy lives on to this day. The successes that followed were down to the vision and ambition of the local lad done good. Rovers Hall of Fame inductee. The easiest vote on this list. Jeff Kenna - Premier League Champion 1995 - Signed during the title campaign the Republic of Ireland international made over 150 appearances for Rovers. An unlikely scorer against Crystal Palace during the title season his only goal for the club. Henning Berg - Premier League Champion 1995 - League Cup Winner 2002 - Norwegian international - As a player enjoyed huge success at Rovers, just be sure to ignore his ill fated spell as boss in 2012. Robert Coar - Made Chairman by Jack Walker after the death of Bill Fox in 1991. Coars tenure as Chairman over the next two decades saw Rovers reach historic heights. Now in an Honorary role he is still visible in the directors box on a match day. Others - Gordon Cowans, Alan Wright, Paul Warhust, Tony Gale, Lars Bohinen, Billy McKinley, Brian Kidd, John Filan, Kevin Davies.

Simon Barker to get a 'Honour Cap' from the club. Currently 14th out of 23 on our vote!

I have extremely vague memories of being at my aunt and uncles to watch the Rovers vs. Derby Co. Playoff Semi Final, it was on ITV? I remember my dads excitement/nervousness walking back to where we lived in Beardwood. The first game I have some memories of being at was the Playoff Final itself at Wembley. Worth reliving, I dont know how 38 year old me would have coped with Newell missing the second penalty with just minutes to go....they always put you through it don't they?! A reminder the poll closes at midnight.

The “offside” goal too! What an awful decision that was, thank goodness it didn’t cost us in the long run!

As the section draws to a conclusion, time for another classic match highlights.

Keep tuned for next Wednesday Andy! The 90s options are STACKED!

Weekend bump with (arugably) the highlight of the 1980s as Rovers lifted a trophy at Wembley. Where you there? Did you think that was as good as it was going to get? The first of four visits to Wembley in the following eight years.

One for @Herbie6590?

First images of Birmingham City's new stadium (no it isn't AI) Looks great, though their owner and ownership model is American 'Soccer' Ownership at its most cringeworthy.

Only 5 league games for Rovers. I was only 1 at the time he joined so obviously never saw him play. A broken leg away at Plymouth Argyle did for him? Future Rover Nicky Marker? My uncle told me the tale of travelling all the way down to Devon with his mates in a minibus rented from Aspdens Coaches. After losing 0-3 they got back to the mini bus and set off home. Whilst in traffic they met with some of the Argyle fans walking home who proceeded to smash in the side window and crack both the front and rear windows also, meaning they had to drive seven hours back to Blackburn in March with the wind swirlling through the van! Furthermore they sent the mate who'd hired the van into Aspdens on the Monday morning in the feint, perhaps forlorn hopes of getting their deposit back 🤣😂

Thanks for that spot. I must have missed him out on my various lists. He’s in now in the ‘Jim Arnold’ slot. Jim had 0 votes at the time of the edit. If you want to vote for him then vote on ‘Others’

Second half of the classic Leicester City (h) 19th March 1988

The poll is limited to 24, so Others cover a range of players, but I'll take your vote to be for Ardilles. If anyone else wants to vote for Ossie then click 'Other' and add a note in the comments

He's in the honourable mentions part at the bottom. A worthy name to throw out, who agrees?

Lewis Miller playing in New York til at least 3:30am UK time on a Wednesday morning. Let’s safely assume he gets a flight back to Manchester sometime Wednesday afternoon/evening Eastern Standard Time, meaning he’ll arrive back into Manchester early Thursday morning having missed a nights sleep. Should he be starting Friday night at Deepdale? He probably will because of injuries, but it’s a huge ask.