oooops !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cheers roverite,

Dont know what the younger element are like these days. But I found a cracker 30 plus years ago. She had been well educated, knowing that men go out for a drink everynight, that they go to football every weekend, that they expect their dinner on the table when they come home and that there is a clean shirt ready at all times. And she was, is a Rovers supporter. Oh she's not bad looking either.

Match Report by Scotty What a fantastic result! It was completely inconceivable that we would win 4 on the trot after the Leeds game but we have and are now officially safe. Marvellous. The team news before the game was good and bad. The bad was that Short was missing from the team that beat Everton along with the hamstrung Amoruso. Babbel and Johansson came in. The good news was the "names" missing from the United team. No Keane, Scholes, Van Nistlerooy, Ronaldo or Saha. We adopted the same formation that has served us so well recently, playing three deep-lying narrow central midfielders with Tugay further forward orchestrating play. I'd hate to see us play this way for a whole season, it's not the best thing to watch every week, but it's certainly got us results just when we really needed them. We were the better team in the first half. We competed for everything in midfield, denied United any space and defended well when we had to. Not that we had to much, I can only think of one or two United opportunities and they were half-chances at best. We, on the other hand, looked more threatening and created a few decent chances. Stead, Cole, and Flitcroft all could have put us into the lead before Cole thought he had just before the break. He expertly chested a cross down from the left and perfectly executed a lob over Howard into the net. Sadly, the linesman ruled it out for offside. I didn't think it was at the time and the TV replays proved inconclusive. Still, 0-0 at half-time was OK and we were still on course for the precious point we needed to guarantee safety. United came more into it in the second half. They dominated possession and gradually began to exert some sort of sustained pressure for the first time in the game. In turn, our defence got deeper and deeper and our forwards became more and more isolated, meaning that we quickly lost what little ball we had. Thankfully though we continued to defend well. I can only think of one clear-cut chance that United managed to create during this spell - a snap shot from Giggs that Friedel saved well. As the half wore on though, and spaces started to appear, we began to look dangerous on the break. Tugay was becoming increasingly influential, as were the overlapping runs of both full-backs. We just lacked the required quality in the final third that would open up their defence. Or at least we did until the 85th minute. Gallagher, on two minutes earlier as a replacement for Cole, picked the ball up on the edge of the United area. He exchanged passes with Stead and then, just as it looked like the move was about to fizzle out, played a superbly delicate pass inside the full-back for Stead to run onto. Stead's lofted finish from an acute angle was composed, breathtaking, and exactly what we've come to expect from him. Class. Ewood was having kittens. The noise was deafening, the sun was shining and everything was right with the world. Unfortunately, the team seemed to get a bit carried away as well as they proceeded to forget how to defend during that last five minutes. United, suddenly playing with real urgency at long last, won a couple of needlessly given away corners, took them short without a Rovers player in sight, and created their two best chances of the game. Thankfully, joyously, they both went over the bar when they really should have scored - Fletcher and Forlan the culprits (although Forlan's would have been ruled out for off-side anyway). And that was that. We won and Ewood rejoiced. It wasn't a great game, United were as poor as I've ever seen them and we weren't that much better, but we deserved the win all the same. Our forwards were excellent throughout, Cole especially looked a class act again, and Stead's goal was superb. He seems to get better as the game goes on. Gallagher's contribution from the bench was also vital. Our midfield worked their socks off with Tugay, my man of the match, outstanding and our defence coped easily with their attack. Johansson again looked a top centre-back and should keep his place in the team. On the negative side I didn't think that Andresen had a good game. He lost the ball too often and only got away with it because he had two other central midfielders alongside him to pick up the pieces. Based on what I've seen of him so far I don't think he'd be good enough as one of a central midfield pair. Neill as well was guilty of giving the ball away but he looked better than in recent weeks. We've won 4 on the trot by smothering midfield, defending well at the back, and by having two forwards who are starting to look like they are forming an understanding. It's not pretty to watch but it's been mighty effective and all credit has to go to the manager and the players for turning the season around. Let's hope we can keep the run going for the last two games and see where it takes us.

Rovers confirmed their Premier League status on Saturday with a late winning goal against Manchester United, by Ewood Park’s new hero Jon Stead. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Babbel, Johansson, Gray, Andresen, Flitcroft, Tugay (Emerton 90), Douglas, Stead, Cole (Gallagher 84). Subs not used: Reid, Yorke, Enckelman. Booked: Flitcroft, Gallagher. United: Howard, Gary Neville, Silvestre, Brown, O'Shea, Phil Neville, Butt (Bellion 70), Djemba-Djemba (Fletcher 81), Giggs, Kleberson (Forlan 77), Solskjaer. Subs not used: Spector, Carroll. Booked: Solskjaer. Attendance: 29,616. Referee: M Dean Click here for Scotty's Match Report

Meanwhile Rovers’ manager Graeme Souness is waiting to find out whether Rovers’ players on international duty, will return injury free. Martin Andresen, was on Norway’s score sheet when they beat Russia, 3-2, and Vratislav Gresko played for Slovakia in their 1-1 draw with the Ukraine. Meanwhile Steven Reid played the full 90 minutes for the Republic of Ireland in their 0-0 draw with Poland. A game that saw Jonathon Douglas, make his International debut, coming on in the 81st minute for the Republic.

With less than forty eight hours to go before Rovers’ entertain Manchester United at Ewood Park, the news broke this afternoon that Lorenzo Amoruso's season could be over. After being a major influence since returning to the first team after a lengthy injury, Amoruso is reported to have damaged his hamstring in training and could now miss the remaining three games of the season. Meanwhile.......................

Gails mum, would be my best option these days anyway......

Well, if I cant find you lot you will see me. I'll be with the Mrs wondering round looking like a billy no mates. If you see us then give us a shout - the first one to do wins a pint. If it helps, I'll be the one in the Blackburn Rovers shirt No way, the last time I went walking round a pub asking women if they were with someone, I got into a bit of trouble.

Cocker The Blues usually gets quiet an hour after the final whistle, so I cant see any problem getting in. More than likely we will arrange a meet up in some corner area. There are bound to be someone wearing the brfcs.com badge. or maybe we can get Paul to walk around with a sign on a stick. change wording to Im with BRFCS.com

lovely???someones been telling you porkies matey I rest my case! If Abbey is going I certainly won't! GUTTED Heck Abbey, your going to have to do some smooth talking now.

My thoughts as well, a topic that I recently wrote about on another site. extract from :- BUYING SUCCESS ! Something that bugs a number of Rovers supporters, including me, were the comments back in the early nineties and the continued comments by the media that Rovers bought the Championship with Jack Walkers money. Whilst Uncle Jack financial involvement did pave the way for better days at Ewood Park, recent events at Chelsea puts into perspective the achievements of Rovers back in the mid nineties. Compared to Chelsea's financial benefactor Abramovich, Uncle Jacks financial involvement was minuscule, however he didn't set about the task of reviving the club as if he was a kid in a sweet shop. Looking from the outside, the big difference between Abramovich and Uncle Jack, is that one appears to treat his involvement as a financial investment or hobby, whilst the others involvement was to full fill his boyhood dream of re-establishing his club in the top flight of British football. Personally I feel sorry for Chelsea manager Ranieri, the pressure placed on him by the continued press speculation linking new managers with the club must be unbearable; so it is inevitable with the wealth of talent at his disposal, he is bound to tinker with the team to achieve success in order to maintain employment. Whilst hindsight is a wonderful thing, looking back at Rovers, it is clear that they built a team, that played regularly together, creating a team spirit that bonded with the supporters, who knew barring injuries or suspensions who would be playing in specific positions. I wont go into the numerous transfer dealings and policies of Chelsea that is the domain of the Chelsea correspondent, however in comparison when Rovers commenced their revival Dalglish brought in a limited number of players to strengthen specific positions within the team. Maybe if he had strengthened the team further after winning the championship, we may have maintained our position as a force in the premiership. To many football is a business, but pumping millions into a business doesn't guarantee success if you don't have the right business plan or product. Under Uncle Jack's guidance Rovers developed a business plan and Dalglish was given time to develop a product. Maybe one day the media will give Rovers the credit for their achievements, however, I doubt it, when all said and done, we are a small Lancashire town who had the cheek to challenge the mighty so called big clubs.

Link Rovers Official Site Match Report You may have to register first to read report

I knew what you ment joey, some people could have miss understood though

joey_big_nose I dont believe phillipl suggested either of the above alegations. Those are your interpretations and I presume are hypathetical queries.

Link to Boro Official Site Match Report You may need to register

Rovers' defender John Fitzgerald scored a last minute equaliser to give the Republic of Ireland's U21 a share of the points against Poland. Final Score 2-2. Rovers’ striker Paul Gallagher inspired Scotland’s U21 side to a 2-2 draw away to Denmark last night. Although he didn’t get on the score sheet he inspired the team with a battling spirit, and assisting in Scotland’s first goal, scored by Clarkson. Gallagher earned himself a yellow card at the start of the second have following a tussle with Denmark’s Sorensen. After an excellent season Rovers' youth team lost 2-1 to Aston Villa on Sunday in the semi final of the U17 national league play offs.

Two goals each, for Jemal Johnson and Matt Jansen, helped Rovers Res. to a 4-2 away win against Middlesbrough tonight.

Blackburn's Jonathon Douglas and Steven Reid have been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad, who play Poland this week.

nice of you to offer

Rovers U17's will have a chance for revenge, for their defeat in the FA Youth Cup, when they meet Aston Villa, in the U17 League semi final play off this Sunday at Brockhall. kick off 3pm. Villa qualified for the semi final play off after a convincing 6-0 victory against Sheffield United this evening. Please note kick off time has been changed to 3pm Check with the Official Rovers Site for any further changes.

Good news from the treatment room today. Michael Gray has resumed training with the first team and Barry Ferguson has started training with the reserves.

Now that the majority of members have had the opportunity to read the interview with Tim, I will make my personal observations. Whilst Tim was one of my all time Rovers heroes, after the way that he agreed and conducted the question and answer interview, he has restored a lot of my faith in the fact that some footballers really do care about the game, the team that they play for and the supporters. When I first approached Tim, about the question and answer forum his response was really enthusiastic and even went to the trouble of sending me a hand written note, something I will always treasure, as it was a personal note, not a stereo type letter that had been printed numerous times over. When the interview was agreed, Tim invited my to phone the club and to bring the questions to the ground, however due to recent events at Leicester this was put on hold. In fact I feared that the interview wouldn’t take place as the questionnaire that I left for him, was returned unanswered. As the admin and mods will know I felt disappointed that the questions were returned unanswered, until out of the blue I got a phone call, from Tim. His first words to me being, “Hi Al, have you got time to do that interview before Saturdays game” He could quite easily have forgotten the interview, but he went to the trouble to phone me, that to me says a lot about the man inside the image that we see on the pitch and television. The interview you will have all read, but what it doesn’t portray is the genuine warmness of the conversation, how much passion that he has for the game and how much he appreciates the supporters, not just at Rovers, but at all the clubs that he has played for, although reading between the lines he appears to have a strong affinity with the Rovers supporters and the club itself. Tim Flowers, a player with Bottle and a man with integrity. Thanks again.

It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t clever and not a game for the faint hearted or the football purist. The main objectives for both teams, being Premiership survival and it showed in the pattern of play, with the ball being pumped up field, into row z, or even out of the ground. It was evident, from the start, that neither team were prepared to take any prisoners, however Rovers to their credit, looked the more creative side, forcing Ian Walker in the Leicester goal to make a number of crucial saves. Noticeably a save from Greskos deflected free kick in the first half. The goal just before half time was as a result of some fine work by Cole. A run down the right and a well timed pass to Cole by Neill, stretched the Leicester defence. Gathering the ball, Cole got to the bye line and crossed low and hard across the penalty area. With Stead bearing down on the ball, Leicester defender Dabizas managed to intercept the cross only to see it deflect in to the back of the net. Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Amoruso, Short, Gresko, Andresen (Emerton 68), Flitcroft, Tugay, Douglas, Cole, Stead. Subs not used: Reid, Johansson, Gallagher, Enckelman. yellow cards : Amoruso, Douglas. Leicester: Walker, Sinclair, Dabizas, Heath (Canero 78), Thatcher, Scowcroft, McKinlay (Freund 45), Izzet, Bent, Ferdinand (Guppy 63), Dickov. Subs not used: Gillespie, Nalis. yellow cards : McKinlay. Attendance: 22,749. Referee: R Styles Link to Match Report

Born in Kenilworth, on the 3 February 1967, Flowers joined Rovers from Southampton, for a then record transfer fee for a goalkeeper. During his period at Blackburn between 1993 and 1999 he made 217 appearances, playing 39 league games and a crucial role in the Championship winning season 1994-95. One game of that season that all Rovers supporters will remember, was against Newcastle at Ewood on the 8th May, when Flowers performance was one of the greatest displays of goalkeeping ever witnessed at Ewood Park. A game also remembered for Flowers quote in an after match interview, “We had Bottle, out there tonight.” Last Monday night Rovers players again showed they had “Bottle” when they came back to beat Fulham 4-3, now lets hope they can keep their “Bottle” and get another 3 points tomorrow against Leicester. And hopefully the fans get behind the team, to create an atmosphere similar to VE night. Copyright www.brfcs.com 2004.