In a repeat of last seasons corresponding fixture, when Short gained Rovers a point, this time it was Dwight Yorke's turn to earn Rovers a point in injury time against Bolton at the Reebok. With the game only 2 minutes old referee Andy D'Urso awarded a penalty after Lucas Neill had fouled Okocha. Djorkaeff (penalty) and ex- Rover’s miss fit Kevin Davies’s goal from 6 yards had given Bolton a half time lead where Rovers didn’t appear to have woken up. However manager Graeme Souness must have had a few choice words at half time, with Matt Jansen scoring with a blistering right foot shot, within 5 minutes of the restart of the game. There is an old saying “A game of 2 halves” and Rovers where now in command with Yorke and Thompson going close. On the hour mark Souness replaced (Matty is Back) Jansen with Andy Cole, and soon after changed to a 3 at the back formation bringing on Grabbi and Reid, for Fltcroft and Gresko. Reid’s debut however was short lived, following a reckless tackle he was given a straight red card by ref. D’Urso Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, N'Gotty, Laville, Gardner, Nolan(, Frandsen65), Campo, Okocha(Giannakopoulos83), Djorkaeff, Davies, Pedersen(Barness76). Subs not used: Poole, Jardel. Booked: Nolan, Davies. Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Taylor, Amoruso, Gresko (Grabbi75), Thompson, Tugay, Flitcroft (Reid75), Emerton, Yorke, Jansen (Cole 60). Subs not used: Kelly, Johansson. Booked: Neill, Flitcroft, Emerton, Thompson. Referee: Andy D'Urso Attendance. 27,423 Final Score 2-2.

Stopwatch Details. 2 mins: Djorkaeff's penalty 1-0 25 mins: Davies 2-0 50 mins: Matt Jansen 2-1 88 mins: Steven Reid sent 94 mins: Yorke 2-2 (final score)

A last minute equaliser by Dwight Yorke, gave Rovers a 2-2 draw against Bolton this afternoon. Match Report Click Here

Rovers have made a formal bid for Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. It had been reported earlier today that the 25-year-old Scotland international had indicated that he wanted the leave Rangers. Rovers chief executive John Williams has confirmed on the official Rovers web site : "I can confirm that we have now made a formal offer to Rangers." Former Rangers manager Graeme Souness added: "I have known Barry Ferguson since he was about 12 years old. "I have admired him as a player for years and he is one I believe would do really well in the English Premier League. He is a player I would love to have in my team."

Blackburn Rovers Chief Executive John Williams has confirmed on the official web site that Rovers have made an official bid for Rangers captain Barry Ferguson. Link to Official Site You may have to register for entry.

After last weeks 5-1 defeat of Wolves it would normally be accepted that a manager would retain the same line up, however manager Graeme Souness may be tempted to start with last weeks 2 goal substitute Andy Cole, but the question then would be who out of Yorke and Jansen would partner Cole up front. Souness also has summer signing Steven Reid back after injury, however it would be assumed that Reid will only make the subs bench. Bolton will choose from: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Laville, N'Gotty, Gardner, Giannakopoulos, Okocha, Campo, Nolan, Djorkaeff, Pedersen, Davies, Jardel, Facey, Frandsen, Poole, Barness, Charlton. Referee. Andy D’Urso.

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness has virtually named the full first team squad of players, including summer signing Steven Reid, for tomorrows visit to Bolton. His final selection will be chosen from:- Friedel, Gresko, Taylor, Amoruso, Neill, Thompson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Emerton, Yorke, Jansen, Cole, Johansson, Todd, Kelly. Grabbi, Gallagher, Reid, McEveley, Ostenstad.

Blackburn Res beat Manchester United Res 2-0 away last night thanks to goals from Ciaran Donnelly and Egil Ostenstad. At leaste two members of this site attended the game, along with the media who were there to see Brazil midfielder Kleberson first run out for United. For reports from our members who attended the game Click Here

A hot sunny warm afternoon in Lancashire brought out the fans, for Blackburn’s first game of the season, and with Wolves playing their first game in the Premier League, they brought a large contingent of supporters with them. Wolves supporters being allocated the upper tier and part of the lower tier of the Darwen End. Although new summer signings Lorenzo Amoruso and Brett Emerton where making their Premier League debuts, the player that got the biggest cheer from the Ewood faithfull when the team was announced was Matt Jansen, who made his first Premier League start since his road traffic accident more than 12 months ago. Unlike previous seasons against lower clubs, Blackburn stamped their class and premier league pedigree on the game from the whistle, and did not drop their standard to the level off the opposition. With Rovers in rampant mood they attacked the Wolves from the start, with Emerton linking well with Lucas Neill, and his ability to make telling crosses from the dead ball line at will, the first goal was inevitable. Around the quarter hour mark an Emerton corner was headed home by Ameruso, who had evaded the advancing Wolves keeper to rocket his first goal for the club in to the back of the net. Prior to the half hour mark Rovers had gone further ahead, when Thompson and Jansen exchanges passes allowing Thompson to volley past the Wolves keeper from 25 yards. Wolves attempted to get back in to the game before half time but Brad Friedel was still displaying the form that had made him the top premier league keeper during last season. Half time 2-0. The second half kicked off in similar vein, and a fine movement between Emerton and Tugay resulted in Yorke putting the ball in the back off the net, only to have the linesman to rule it offside. Rovers undaunted soon capitalised on a shaky Wolves defence within 10 minutes of the kick off with Yorke side stepping to allow Emerton to score from 25 yards. With Rovers in command and against the run of play, Wolves pulled one back when Iverson was first to a rebound off the post to blast the ball past Friedel. With around 16 minutes left of the game Souness substituted Jansen with Andy Cole, who wasted no time in claiming his first goal of the season within 5 minutes of being on the pitch, after fine work by Tugay. Then grabbing his second of the afternoon with only 3 minutes of the game remaining. Having gained a 4 goal cushion Rovers were now in total command, with players having time to wave back at the crowd as the fans chanted out their names. For once the atmosphere at Ewood was electric, with the majority of the ground in full vocal support throughout the game, without “Get in to them” being chanted once. The best chant of the afternoon being “Have you been to Tommy Balls”, a chant directed towards a Wolves substitute who had a pair of fluorescent crimson boots. Full Time 5-1 Rovers: Friedel, Gresko, Martin Taylor, Amoruso, Neill, Thompson (Grabbi 80), Flitcroft, Tugay, Emerton, Yorke, Jansen (Cole 74). Subs not used: Johansson, Todd, Kelly. Booked: Thompson. Wolves: Murray, Irwin, Craddock, Butler, Naylor, Newton (Camara 86), Cameron, Ince, Silas (Blake 59), Iversen, Sturridge (Luzhny 73). Subs not used: Rae, Oakes. Booked: Blake. Attendance: 26,270. Referee: J Winter (Cleveland).

Summer signings, Lorenzo Amoruso and Brett Emerton became instant hits with the Blackburn fans as they both scored on their premier league debuts this afternoon. Blackburns other goals were scored by David Thompson and Andy Cole who scored twice after coming on as substitute. Final Score 5-1. Match Report

Nine months of joy and hope. Nine months of pain, frustration, nail biting, sleepless nights, arguments, sacrifices, time off work, long days and nights travelling the length and breadth of the country, excuses to the other half and those cold, wet winter nights frozen stiff. Nine months of hell gathered around radios or watching teletext waiting for the final scores to come in. Yes the football season is back, like tribal warriors football supporters will bring out their colours, partake in ceremonial ale house gatherings before entering the coliseums to encourage their gladiators to victory against the opposition. After months of rumour and gossip, tomorrow night throughout the country supporters will again be discussing referees, fouls, goals, and tv coverage of the days games. Tomorrow sees Blackburn take on newly promoted Wolves at Ewood Park, and those supporters who didn’t attend the pre season games will be able to assess the calibre of the majority of manager Graeme Souness’s summer signings. Manager Graeme Souness has named a squad of 18 players, including Australian Brett Emerton, who has had his one game suspension rescinded by the Dutch Football Association, however Rovers will be without injured new signing Steven Reid and Rovers veteran Craig Short. Blackburn will select from, Friedel, Neil, Taylor, Amoruso, Todd, Johansson, Gresko, Emerton, Tugay, Flitcroft, Thompson, Yorke, Cole, Jansen, Ostenstad, Grabbi, Kelly, Gallacher. Wolves manager Dave Jones will select from, Oakes, Irwin, Naylor, Butler, Craddock, Ince, Luzhny, Newton, Cooper, Silas, Rae, Iversen, Blake, Sturridge, Camara, Cameron, Okoronkwo, Ingimarsson, Proudlock, Clingan, Murray. The referee for the game is Jeff Winter.

With less than 48 hours to go before the 2003-2004 Premier League kicks off there is disappointing and exciting news coming out of Ewood Park. Premier League Debut Disappointment. It would appear that summer signings Emerton and Reid will miss Saturdays Premier League kick off due to suspension and injury. Rovers are appealing against a notification that they only received last week, that Bret Emerton is to be suspended for one game as a result of two yellow cards he received at his former club Feyenoord. Meanwhile Steven Reid is making steady progress with an ankle injury he received in a pre season friendly at Bray, although the game against Wolves on Saturday may come to soon for the midfielder. Reserves Joy Blackburn reserves kicked off the season with a 3-0 win against Birmingham City reserves at Christie Park last night. Rovers took the lead on the half hour with a goal by Cicco Grabbi, and went 2-0 up midway through the second half with a goal by Ciaran Donnelly, with Jerome Watt making it 3-0 in injury time. International Call Ups. A number of Rovers players have been called up for next weeks internationals. Emerton and Neill have been called up for Australia, who play the Republic of Ireland, who have called up Steben Reid, whilst Tugay has been called up by Turkey, for their game against Moldova. Meanwhile striker Paul Gallagher has been called up to the Scotland U21 squad, who play Norway next Tuesday. Rovers Deny Transfer Rumour. Blackburn Chief Executive John Williams has denied media speculation that claims Rovers have made a bid for the Glasgow Ranger player Barry Ferguson

Report by one of our members yerotsluap edited by Alan75 Was at the game and was thoroughly pleased with the result if not the performance, but then again when the Premiership kicks off next Saturday it will be the result that is the only really important thing. Superb goal by Thommo and a very energetic typical performance from the man. It would be a travesty if he is not back in the England setup within the next couple of months. The midfield generally was quite impressive. Brett Emerton gave a very athletic performance and if he carries on playing like this once he is completely settled then we will have a very fine player on our hands. Flitty was his usual agressive self even provoking a headbutt from Baronio and Tugay stroked the ball around well and looked eager to get the ball back. In defence Vrati seemed to be really fired up and put in an accomplished and aggressive display (including his mini argument with Thommo), Lucas linked up well with Emerton down the right although he seemed to be caught out of position quite a few times. Amo and Tiny looked a good partnership. Had not realised quite what a large obstacle Amoruso was (A bit of thought into the 'shoe shining' goal celebration as well as him and Tugay having matching pony tails). Brad generally had nothing to do but produced one good save from Baronio. The attack was a mixed bag. Yorke looked interested for all of about 5 minutes whilst Jansen looked very sharp (very encouraging) until it came to pulling the trigger. Yorke was replaced by Grabbi who actually looked quite lively, his free kick hit the bar and was followed up by a neat turn and chip which floated just wide. Gallagher came on for Jansen and provided the nod down for Thommo's wonder strike. All in all a professional performance if not a very entertaining one . Team: Friedel, Neill, Gresko, Amoruso, Taylor, Emerton, Tugay, Flitcroft, Thompson, Yorke (Grabbi 61mins), Jansen (Gallagher 78). Unused subs: Kelly, McEveley, Johansson, Ostenstad, Todd.

In their final Pre-season game, Blackburn beat Siere A side Chievo 1-0 at Ewood Park this afternoon thanks to a spectacular goal by midfielder David Thompson 6 minutes before full time. Team: Friedel, Neill, Gresko, Amoruso, Taylor, Emerton, Tugay, Flitcroft, Thompson, Yorke (Grabbi 61mins), Jansen (Gallagher 78). Unused subs: Kelly, McEveley, Johansson, Ostenstad, Todd. Click here for Match Report

Ray Harford History thanks to BBC Sport. BBC Sport - Ray Harford

Former Blackburn manager Ray Harford has died, aged 58, following a lengthy battle against cancer. Prior to taking over as manager Harford was Kenny Dalglish assistant and was instramental in Blackburns rise from the old first division to win the Premiership title in 1995. On behalf of all Blackburn Rovers Supporters we send condolences to Ray Harford's family and friends. Ray Harford - Fans Condolences

With just over a week to go before Blackburn Rovers entertain newly promoted Wolves at Ewood Park in the first game of the season, this Sunday Rovers finalise their preparation for the new season, with a friendly against Italian club Chievo at Ewood Park, kick off 4pm. This will be the last opportunity manager Graeme Souness has to assess his squad in a competitive game before he selects his first eleven for the kick off of the 2003-2004 Premier League Season, so supporters can expect to see for the first time at Ewood, Souness’s crop of summer signings, although it would appear that midfielder Steven Reid will miss the game due to an injured ankle. On the bright side Vratislav Gresko has recovered from his injury, and is available for his first run out in Rovers colours since finalising his permanent move to Blackburn.

Anyhow all went well yesterday in regards to the supporters. Over 5,000 were in attendance at the Carlisle Grounds.in regards to the game, we didn't play to the extent that we are capable of. A lot of shambolic passing from the midfield, but Reid and Paul Gallager has shown a lot of promise in the short period they were on the field. Yorke did try his hardest, whilst being the but of a chant regarding the new away strip. to which he merely just smiled back. lol. Lucas Neill was very consistant and put in a few telling crosses. Matt i think in all honesty was our best player on the picth, ran his heart out and was denied by the post twice. Thommo and Brett Emerton ran a close 2nd. They both had a great work-rate and Thommo was denyed a further goal by the post and is looking back to his form he had last season whilst fit! I feel that Tugay was basically non-existant and Flitty wasn't his usual self. Nissa again was subject to dogy passes, but made a cracking challenge in the 2nd half. Kelly was pretty solid in goals and made a few good stops, but it'kll be great to have Brad back in between the sticks though! In regards to the injury picked up by Steven Reid, it wasn't serious, just taken off possibly because of caution. He spent quite a bit of time with the physio afterwards though! And thats about that all covered from a great time in Dublin! match report by rover_groo edited by alan75

Thanks to our Reporter at the Ground. Up to date information was available on tonights game in the Chatroom. Full time Score Bray 2-3 Blackburn Blackburns goals scored by Yorke 2 Thompson 1 Reid off injured . Match report to follow.

After yesterdays disappointing display at Wigan, Blackburn manager Graeme Souness will be finalising has plans for the 2003-2004 season in the two remaining friendlies at Bray on Wednesday and at Ewood Park next Sunday against Italian club Chievo. In the coming weeks if rumours are to be believed Souness will attempt where necessary to strengthen the squad, following the departure of first team squad players Duff, Dunn, Hignett, Gillespie, Berg and possibly Curtis, the latter being reportedly on his way to join Hignett and Gillespie at newly promoted Leicester. This week saw the departure of youngsters Neill Danns and Johnathan Douglas on loan to Blackpool, whilst Rovers increased their summer signings when midfielder Steven Reid and defender Vratislav Gresko joined the club. After the friendlies this week, when some of the supporters have seen the new signings the message board is full of comments about those player, plus the performances of existing players. With the money from sale of Duff and Dunn burning holes in the supporter’s pockets the message board is full of speculation and advice on who the manager should bring in to strengthen the squad. Plus there are discussions regarding season ticket sales, the redevelopment of the Riverside Stand and the formation of a fantasy football league. As the count down to the season begins a visit to the message board is a worthwhile event for every Rovers supporter as they prepare for the kick off at Ewood Park on the 16th August against newly promoted Wolves. There is no need to register to read the posts on the Message Board. ClLICK HERE to gain access to the message board

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In a clean but tough encounter this afternoon Blackburn Reserves beat Morcambe in a pre season friendly 2-1. Both Rovers goals being scored by Italian striker Grabbi, one from a well placed free kick and the second when he collected a perfectly placed pass from Ostenstad. The crowd of around 1200 were entertained with an evenly fought game, where Morecambe dominated the first half and Blackburn the second half. Yelldell impressing the crowd with some clean handling and dominance of his area. Morcambe's goal a screamer giving the keeper no chance. The referee finished the game about 5 minutes before the 90 minutes were up following an injury to Rovers centre half Taylor when he was accidentally kicked in the head, and had to be carried off.

Blackburn's Reserves 2-1 win at Morcambe this afternoon was marred by an injury to centre half Michael Taylor. For more on this see Read Entire Article

Miserable performance from Rovers. Wigan kick off their season next week, and it showed. They were quicker to everything, and wanted it more. For rovers, there weren't many plus points. Amoruso did ok, he was strong and used the ball really well. Still not sure about his defensive abilities yet, wont find that out until the season begins. Emerton was ok also. Didn't shine like he did at Blockpool, but it was difficult to shine through that. Like wise Reid, strong runner, and had rovers only chance of any note all afternoon. Surged down the right, only to be kept out by a brilliant stop from wigan's keeper. The minuses, Cole and Yorke. Nothing stuck at all, and they couldn't create one decent opportunity between them. Matty played the second half alongside Gallagher. Gally did fairly well, but looks a little short physically yet. Matty is still that bit short at the minute. Doesn't have that spark about him, but that probably, is unfair on the lad at this stage. It's too early for Matt yet. Match Report by den

Blackburn lost 1-0 this afternoon in a pre season friendly at Wigan. Read Read Entire Article for match details.