Modi Shes his mum, look at the signature

Updated 19th June 2003. Blackburn Supporters will know within the next few days whether Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso, will be wearing the Lancashire clubs colours next season. It is understood that discussions between Blackburn and Amoruso are ongoing with Amoruso's agent, Andrea D'Amico, stating that a decision will be made within seven days. However following Arsenal's confirmation yesterday that they are not interested in signing the player an announcement could be made about Amoruso's move to Blackburn before the weekend. Graeme Souness has met up with Amoruso in Italy this week in a bid to finalise the deal. Amoruso is reported to have told the Daily Record: "I was really impressed by Graeme Souness. I don't know him well but I can see already that he is a very straight man and very open - the kind of guy who says things to your face - and that's the kind of manager I like to work with. "He has to speak to his chief executive to sort out some small details but it looks like it will be finalised by Thursday and I will be signing a three-year deal with Blackburn."

Whilst Blackburn Rovers have already announced Pre-Season Friendly games against :- Washington DC. Wednesday 23rd July, Blackpool Wednesday 30th July, Wigan Saturday 2nd August Bray Wednesday 6th August. Unofficial reports today would indicate that they will play Serie A club Chievo, on Monday 11th August. After Chievo announced that they will play Middlesbrough and Rovers as part of their summer tour.

With the fixture lists due to be released on Thursday 19th June, Blackburn Rovers are still the centre of speculation on who will be lining up for them for them next season. Graeme Souness has revealed Birmingham City are on the brink of agreeing a £5.5m deal for England midfield man David Dunn, which is understood to involve an initial down-payment of £4m plus additional payments. Although Rovers supporters could be disappointed with the possible loss of local hero Dunn there appears to be happier news relating to winger Damian Duff, with Souness being quoted as stating. "There is nothing at all happening with Duff at the moment, As far as I am concerned he is staying with us." Souness has also revealed that after agreeing a fee believed to be in the region of £1.25 million, with Rangers, he hopes to wrap up a move for Italian defender. Lorenzo Amoruso, within the next week. Meanwhile, Northampton have signed Rovers academy player Marc Richards, who whilst out on loan last season helped Swansea avoid relegation. For all the Transfer Rumours, check out the messageboard, by clicking on the following link. no registration required to read the messageboard Click here for Transfer Rumours

It would appear that Blackburns young left back Jay McEveley is now a fully qualified member of the first team squad. After a season when first team regulars, Duff, Dunn, Berg, and Short, just to name a few, missed games due to hamstring problems, the young defender has now had to withdraw from the England U21 squad. You guessed it, hamstring injury.

Blackburn Rovers supporters today found out, what sponsor they will be wearing on their shirts next season. Rovers Chief Executive John Williams today announced that the club has agreed a two year sponsorship with the health plan providers HSA. John Williams is quoted as saying. "We received great interest from a number of parties but felt that HSA simply offered the best match," he said. "We are delighted to welcome them on board at what is a very exciting time for the club after our sixth place finish in the Premiership."

After the weekend media speculation regarding Damian Duff being unhappy with the transfer fee that Blackburn had placed on his head, quotes by Damian to the Irish Examiner are now being reported by various media. Duff has put the record straight by telling the Irish Examiner: “Anything I say now there is an angle on it. I made one small comment and it was twisted out of all proportion, blown all over the papers and television. “I am truly in the dark about what might be happening. I think the player is always the last to know. At the moment I just consider it paper talk. “I haven’t talked to the gaffer about it. I am happy where I am at the minute and that’s a Blackburn Rovers player.” Meanwhile after returning from loan periods at Sheffield United and Cardiff, John Curtis and Alan Mahon wait to see whether these clubs will offer permanent contracts or whether they will have to wait to see if there are other enquiries for their services during the summer months. Henning Berg who didn’t have his contract extended by the Rover’s is reportedly in talks with Norwegian side Valerenga, whilst Keith Gillespie also released by Rovers is considering a number of offers.

If we are to believe all the stories emulating from the media, Blackburn’s manager Graeme Souness wont be having a holiday with his family this summer. All leisure time will be cancelled as he attempts to rebuild a team ready for next season, his summer being tied up in negotiating transfers and creating a team plan to accommodate all the player’s that he is reportedly interested in signing or selling. After stating that Brad Friedel has been his best ever buy, and that Friedel is worth between 12 –15 points a season, Friedel is now on United and Arsenals shopping list. In defence it would appear that central defenders are the flavour of the month, with the club being linked with Aston Villa’s Alpay and Ranger’s Lorenzo Amoruso. Blackburn’s left back problems appear to have been resolved, if the club can agree personal terms with Gresko, following agreement of a reported £1.5 million fee between Rovers and Parma. In midfield transfer speculation has been simmering for some time regarding Damian Duff and David Dunn, with Birmingham reportedly offering £5.5 million for the latter who rejected a 2-year extension to his current contract last week. Quotes attributed to Dunn yesterday, would suggest that he hasn’t resolved differences with his manager following a well documented fall out earlier in the season. Amazingly elsewhere it is reported that Dunn will discuss transfer speculation when he returns from holiday. Damian Duff as in previous years is being linked with United and Liverpool, with various permutations being linked with the transfer of Irelands player of the year, the latest being Hesky moving to Blackburn. However from press releases yesterday, it would appear that Duff himself is quite happy to stay at the Ewood Park club. Speculation regarding incoming midfielders to the club makes Millwall’s Steven Reid favourite, with his team mate Tim Cahill also in the frame. Interest in Chelsea’s Jody Morris appears to have cooled off following reports of excessive wage demands by Morris. Meanwhile Blackburn’s captain Gary Flitcroft will sign a 2-year extension to his current contract this week. Although there have been links suggesting Blackburn are interested in Sunderland’s Kevin Phillips, it would appear manager Graeme Souness is happy with his current strike force. For more transfer speculation and what the fans think check out the message board, you dont have to register to read topics, just click on the links. Click here to enter the message board

IMPORTANT DEADLINE FOR SEASON TICKET RENEWALS Saturday 24th May (today) - Direct Debit application deadline. Saturday 31st May (next week) - Claim your own seat application deadline. The ticket office will be open from 9am - 4pm on both Saturday's. Please note the ticket office will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May. Further information on the Official Web Site. Rovers.co.uk ticket office

Following yesterday’s news that David Dunn had declined an extension to his current contract, Blackburn Rovers today announced that their captain Gary Flitcroft has agreed an extension to his contract. The hard tackling midfielder was originally only offered a one-year extension to his current contract that still has 12 months outstanding, however he held out for a better offer and will now be contracted to the club until 2006. Rovers have also announced that Dean Saunders has been appointed as the club's new first team coach, whilst Phil Boersma will now work with the reserves.

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed that David Dunn has indicated he does not plan to extend his contract with the club. However Rovers chief executive John Williams is reported to have told BBC Radio Lancashire: That this is not the end of the matter as far as the club are concerned. It is well documented that Dunn and manager Graeme Souness fell out earlier in the season after Souness had criticised Dunn, for appearing to listen more to outside influences, which corresponded with Dunns loss of form and injury problems. Which coincidentally corresponded with Dunn being over looked by the England manager. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph quote Graeme Souness as denying that Dunn has been given an ultimatum of “sign or leave”. Souness has stressed that Rovers have in essence offered Dunn an extension to his existing contract, which still has two years to run. Link to LET Report.

Although Blackburn Rovers have finished the season without any silverware in the trophy cabinet, they have finished the season in 6th place, equal to their previous highest position in the Premier League, back in the 1997-98 season. After winning the Championship back in 1994-1995. A review of the season month by month is now posted on the message board. Click here for link to message board. Review of the Season.

If ever there were a player who could be classed as a working class hero, the name of Simon Garner would spring to mind in the thoughts of Blackburn Rovers supporters. Although the younger generation of supporters, who have been brought up on Premier League football, never saw him play, they are fully aware of his contribution to the club. In today’s mercenary world of footballers, Simon is one the last of a dieing breed of players, who virtually spent all his life as a professional footballer at one club. A player who mixed with the local community and wasn’t afraid to join the supporters for a pint in a local pub after the game and chat about his and the clubs performance of that day. This Sunday the generation that watched him play, and the younger generation who have been educated in the folklore that is Simon Garner have the opportunity to pay their respects to the player who holds the record as the clubs top goal scorer. Even with all the stars that have passed through Ewood Park since Jack Walker re-established the club as a driving force there is still only one player from past days whose name is regularly chanted by the supporters home and away. At Ewood Park this Sunday Graeme Souness’s Worthington Cup Winner will play Kenny Dalglish’s Championship Winners. And even though certain players will miss the event due to prior engagements or injuries, the main chant known to young and old will be “There’s Only One Simon Garner”. Sundays event will also give Rovers supporters a second opportunity to honour the current team, who qualified for the UEFA Cup last Sunday and to give the academy players a round of applause after they won the U19 Championship this week in the final against Aston Villa. Tickets for the game will be available right up to kick-off with prices ranging from £12 for adults to £6 for juniors Kick off 4pm Sunday 18th May 2003.

As transfer speculation hots up, various sources indicate that Blackburn manager Graeme Souness has made further enquiries regarding Lorenzo Amoruso and that a fee of around £1.25 million is understood to have been agreed between the Rovers and Rangers for the Italian defender. Sources also reveal that a fee reportedly of £1.5 million has been agreed with Parma to sign Gresko permenantly, and that it is now up to the player to agree personal terms with the Rovers. Reports regarding Jody Morris appear to be ill informed as his agent has stated that he is still in negociations with Chelsea, regarding an extension to his contract. Following on from the release of Henning Berg, Rovers have also confirmed that they will not be renewing Keith Gillespie’s contract. Blackburn yesterday denied press speculation regarding Brad Friedels transfer to either Manchester United or Arsenal, insisting that he is not for sale. Graeme Souness recently issued a statement on Friedel's future in which he stressed the American was not for sale. "Brad must be worth 12 to 15 points a season to us because he is such a good goalkeeper. "I just couldn't put a price on his head. If other clubs are interested in him, they have to realise what Brad is worth to us over the next four years of his contract.

After Sundays result by the first team at Spurs, Blackburn U19 hope to finish the season in style, as they take on Aston Villa, in the second leg of the U19 Championship Final at Villa Park tonight. Although Rovers go in to the game with a 5-3 lead from the first leg, Villa showed at Ewood Park that they have an abundance of talent, which should make this game an exciting end of season challenge for the Rovers youngsters. Kick off. 7pm.

In a game that they dominated from start to finish, Blackburn Rovers this afternoon beat Spurs 4-0 at White Hart Lane, to finish 6th in the Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Cup at the expense of Everton, who were beaten by United 2-1 at Goodison Park. Even before Poyet's two-footed lunge on Gary Flitcroft that resulted in a straight red card from referee Andy D'Urso, Rovers had embarrassed Spurs with their style and commitment. For once Cole and Yorke were linking up and exposing the Spurs defence at every opportunity, resulting in Yorke scoring the first on 5th minute mark. With Rovers playing a passing game and dominating midfield, Spurs got more frustrated, which resulted on Poyet’s knee high tackle on Flitcroft in the 30th minute. With the fans aware that Everton had taken the lead, Spurs supporters ensured that the Rovers player were also aware of the situation at Goodison Park, however this tactic appeared to backfire as Rovers continued to pepper the Spurs goal until shortly before half time. A clearance by Perry fell to Hignett who volleyed a first time shot past the despairing Kellor. With the news coming through at half time that United had equalised it was now party time for the Rovers supporters and even the drummer was being appreciated, as the chants went out for “We’re going have a disco” and “Lets all laugh at Tottenham”. Refreshingly “Get in to them” wasn’t even mentioned. At half time Dunn replaced the injured Flitcroft in the centre of midfield. Not ready to rest on their laurels, the Rovers came out at half time to continue their bombardment of the Spurs goalmouth. Resulting in Rovers going 3 up within 3 minutes of the kick off. Rovers broke at pace with inter passing between Duff and Cole, before a cross to Yorke, broke loose to the in coming Duff, who side-footed into an empty net from eight yards. On the hour Rovers went 4-0 up when Yorke laid the ball through to Duff, who skipped round Keller and squared back for Cole to prod the ball home. With Rovers cruising to a victory Rovers supporters were in full voice and their chants for Matt Jansen were rewarded when Hignett was subbed 15 minutes before the end of the game. As Spurs supporters spilled out of the ground well before the end of the game, throwing their season tickets on to the pitch, word went round the fans that United at taken the lead and European football was guaranteed for a consecutive season at Ewood Park. Tottenham: Keller, Carr, Perry, King, Taricco (Ziege 61), Davies, Poyet, Redknapp (Toda 69), Etherington, Sheringham, Keane. Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Bunjevcevic, Acimovic. Sent Off: Poyet (31). Booked: Taricco. Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Martin Taylor, McEveley (Johansson 63), Flitcroft (Dunn 45), Hignett (Jansen 76), Tugay, Duff, Cole, Yorke. Subs Not Used: Kelly, Sukur. Booked: Neill. Attendance: 36,036. Referee: Andy D'Urso.

After a nightmare season Matt Jansen is ready to repay his dept to Blackburn Rovers, who he confirms have been brilliant in helping him recover from his road accident last summer. Matt having returned from a loan spell at Coventry steps back in to the squad to face Spurs at White Hart Lane tomorrow, a selection revealed tentatively in this news section on Thursday. Matt has stated that after the accident the club have been brilliant with him and he now dreams of scoring the winning goal that will take Rovers in to Europe. Rovers squad, Friedel, Kelly, Neill, Todd, Berg, Johansson, Taylor, McEveley, Flitcroft, Dunn, Tugay, Hignett, Jansen, Yorke, Ostenstad, Duff, Cole, Hakan Sukur.

Blackburn have confirmed that James McEveley, who has picked up the Supporters, Young player of the Year Award, has signed a 4 year contract. Just over twelve months ago Everton were debating whether to offer the young defender a contract, now the future looks bright for the young defender, after he grabbed the opportunity given to him by Blackburn Rovers. Since stepping up to the first team as a raw 17 year old against Rotherham in the Worthington Cup, McEveley has been a revelation, culminating with a call up to the England U21 squad.

After going in 3-2 down at half time, Rovers came back in the second half to beat Aston Villa U19, 5-3 in the first leg of the U19 Championship Final at Ewood Park tonight. With goals from Paul Gallagher and John Fitzgerald in the first half, Alan Morgan and Gallagher (2) scored in the second half to give Rovers the advantage going into the second leg of the final to be played at Villa Park next week.

Whilst many supporters will watch their teams go through the motions of an end of season game, Blackburn supporters travel to London this weekend knowing that victory could guarantee the club a place in the UEFA Cup again next season. Reports would indicate that Blackburn have sold out their allocation of tickets for the game and supporters travelling to the game are reminded that kick-off time is 3pm, not 4pm as printed on the tickets. After failing to gain all three points against West Brom last Saturday, Graeme Souness prepares his players for the final game of the season on Sunday against Spurs at White Hart Lane. Rovers now know that they must rely on Everton failing to collect maximum points against Manchester United, whilst Rovers themselves need to beat Spurs. Souness again has team selection problems with the defence as Short and Gresko are still injured; together with the news released today that Henning Berg will not be offered an extension to his contract. The striker selection should also provide interesting reading, following the news that Dwight Yorke was reportedly dropped last weekend due to arriving late for the West Brom game and the news that Hakan Sukur is not to be offered a contract. With the recent lack of fire from the strikers, Souness may gamble on including Paul Gallagher who has been a revelation in the Youth team and reserves this season, although this may be one game to soon for the youngster, who scored a hat-trick for the U19's in the first leg of the U19 Championship Final against Aston Villa at Ewood Park tonight. The other option at Souness’s disposal is to once again team up the strike force that scored the winning goals against Spurs in the Worthington Cup Final at Cardiff last year.

After failing in his attempt to sign Lorenzo Amoruso from Glasgow Rangers and Frank de Bloer from Barcelona, Blackburn manager Graeme Souness will this week open discussions with Henning Berg. The attempted signings of Amoruso and de Boer have been hampered by the respective transfer and signing on fees, with Souness not being prepared to match Rangers valuation of Amoruso. Souness will now attempt to negotiate a 12 months extension to Bergs contract, after the defender had a change of heart regarding retiring from premier league football, to return to Norway. Souness is quoted by various media sources as saying. “I will speak to Henning later this week to discuss his future, but we won’t be signing Amoruso. He is simply too expensive for us,”

In their final game of the season Rovers Reserves were beaten 2-1 by Bolton at Ewood Park tonight. Rovers only goal was scored from the penalty spot by Marc Richards, who has just returned from a loan period at Swansea. Boltons goals were scored by Farrelly and Shakes.

Yesterday saw former Blackburn keeper Tim Flowers retire from top class football. Tim a member of Blackburns Championship winning team played his 613th game yesterday when he came on as substitute for Leicester for the last 14 minutes against Wolves, the team that he started his footballing career with, at schoolboy level. Since his transfer from Blackburn to Leicester Flowers has had injury problems with his back and has now called time on his proffesional career. Flowers who gained 11 England caps will be remembered by all Rovers supporters for his heart felt speach after VE night against Newcastle when he refused to be beaten and was instramental in making Jack Walkers dreams come true. Bottle, we showed bottle out there tonight a quote that should be pinned to the Rovers changing room wall. On behalf of all Rovers supporters thanks Tim and best wishes for the future. Hopefully Rovers fans will be able to show their appreciation to their Championship winning keeper at Simon Garners Testimonial on the 18th May.

Despite Blackburn manager Graeme Souness’s continued statements that Premiership survival was the clubs main objective for the season, yesterday Souness failed to conceal his disappointment. Following yesterdays draw against already relegated Albion, Souness dropped his mellowed persona to let fly, advise his players in no uncertain terms what he thought of their lack luster display. As many disappointed fans already started to make their way home from the ground, a depleted squad of players made the customary end of season “lap of honour”, conspicuous by the missing Souness. The furious scot even failed to make his customary post match comments on Blackburn’s own tv and radio channels, with assistant manager Tony Parks having to meet the gathered media reporters. Fronting the media Parkes stated "The manager is not very happy about the performance. He is not in a good mood - he's very annoyed and has let the players know his feelings about it. "If you had seen him after the game you would realise how important getting into Europe was.” Whether Blackburn manage to qualify for Europe is uncertain and now relies on the outcome of next weeks games at White Hart Lane and Goodison Park. What is certain from yesterdays furious outburst by the manager, there will be changes sooner than later at Ewood Park. For fans reaction click on message board link, no registration required.Messageboard Topics

Goals by Keith Barker and Joel Byrom gave Rovers U17 a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at Brockhall, this morning, to put them through to the U17's Semi-Finals.