Part of our last promotion winning team, he deserves the accolades, it’s not his fault we’ve been decimated by abhorrent owners. Have a word with yourself.

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES 24 NOVEMBER 1973 WILLINGTON CUP FEVER Willington miss chance of an early lead! WILLINGTON 0 v BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 Having a tough run up to this game Willington were unbeaten in last 11 games helped by a gale-force wind, did most of the attacking in the early stages of their home FA Cup tie with Blackburn, and should have gone ahead in the sixth minute when Brian Newton put Holden through. But the home centre forward failed to control the ball with only the goalkeeper to beat. Teams: WILLINGTON: D ROXBY J SUDDES J FOSTER J PEARSON J FENWICK H MURRAY B NEWTONJ HUSSEY T HOLDEN D NEWTON T COCHRANE Sub B DIXON BLACKBURN ROVERS: JONES HEATON ARENTOFT GARBUTT WADDINGTON FAZACKERLEY NAPIER METCALFE ENDEAN PARKES FIELD Sub O'MARA Referee: Mr C E Seel (Carlisle) Linesmen: Mr A R Jorden Mr R Pallister (Mboro) Attendance 4500 Willington opened up on the attack on the left, where D. Newton's cross didn't reach the goalmouth because of the wind. When Blackburn moved forward a free kick by Arentoft went across the home goalmouth with Napier vainly trying to make contact. There was a thrill at the the other end where Holden found a gap, but he couldn't get his shot past Jones. Parkes put the ball into the home goalmouth and Roxby cleared, though under pressure from Napier. A quick switch saw Holden quickly descend on the Blackburn goal, but he put his shot wide. A well judged centre forced Heaton to concede a corner. Home pressure was building up and a strong shot by Cochrane was not far off target. a good move started by Suddas gave the Blackburn defence an uncomfortable moment, for Jones, at full length, could only push away Newton's cross and Heaton had to complete a hurried goalline clearance. A Foster free kick was headed out and met by Fenwick, who put his shot over the bar. The visiting defence was again in difficulty after another free kick taken by Foster, and a corner was conceded . The home goal was jeopardised when Murray allowed himself to be dispossessed by Field, who went forward with the ball and ultimaltely Endean forced the ball round the upright, with Roxby challenging. Another Foster free kick was capably dealt with by Jones. Another unproductive corner was gained by Willington when Heaton diverted a ball put into the goalmouth by Cochrane. It was prodominatly Willington on the attack, and a speculative ground shot by Capt Suddas went wide. Half-time: 0-0 Straight after the interval Blackburn descended on the home goal and Roxby had to quickly clear from Metcalfe. It was Willington's turn to be stretched in defence, and two corners were safely negotiated. Field set up a shot for Endean, which he sent harmlessly wide of the post. B Newton got Willington moving forward and the attack was sustained by Hussey, whose shot finished in the side netting. Clever play by Napier got Blackburn on the attack and a long range shot by Garbutt travelled fast past the post. A fine shot by Metcalfe was put over the bar by Roxby.

He’d walk into the Rangers side that lad 😉

Boooom @DeeCee

Billy Hamilton, Kevin Brock, Aldridge and Houghton when I think of Oxford. Very good side mid 80’s, went on to bigger and better things whilst we couldn’t quite make that next step to promotion until 92 and the rest is history.

Sri Lanka digging in here, 247-6 and lead by 125. If they can get to a 200 lead, it gives them something to defend. No Mark Wood for the rest of the game either.

Here is the last time we played Oxford at home, a great day, Ewood almost full to bursting, such a wonderful sight to see, Doncaster away to win promotion wasn't bad either! Rovers 2 Oxford 0

Rangers are a far better side man for man that we are. It’s our worst side since mid 80’s too.

Yet most Rangers players would walk into our side, if we could afford the wages….

Simon bloody Mann and another Southerner slagging off Manchester again on Test Match Special, it’s every time they come up here. If you don’t like it chaps, don’t come, I’m sure staying down South and hiding under your beds will be more productive. On the cricket itself, England on easy street and have Sri Lanka 66/4 in the sun at Old Trafford.

They were NEVER fit and proper owners, this despite passing the awful test applied by our governing body. VENKYS OUT - NOTHING ELSE MATTERS

I don’t like this new barrister, he’s no pace and doesn’t get into any attacking positions. This is what happens when you sell your best barristers and replace them with legal aid…..

Spot on. Why on earth would you change things, we’ve brought on millions under the current setup.

We all said the same when they pulled out £7m for Diaz! Long term investment that they let walk for free, madness. No one can second guess these morons pal.

Just see the just giving page from Wilsdenrover above, many thanks 👍

Toss up between Richard and Noel, I’m going Richard 👍 He hates the limelight, struggles with fame, but writes amazing songs.

I’m not on Facebook, can you share a different link to support this Abbey 👍 If not, private message me your details and you can donate for us. Cheers pal

If we don’t bring in more bodies of sufficient quality we’ll probably find ourselves in another relegation scrap. The first 11 could keep us clear of the bottom half, but we all know come Nov/Dec when injuries kick in, all clubs rely on those squad players and we will be found wanting. We’ll bring a few loan players in last minute, but what sort of impact they’ll have is anyone’s guess. It shouldn’t be this way with the horse trading we’ve done in recent years, but with no ambition and no plan from our owners and leaders we just bumble along hoping for the best, it’s scandalous frankly. Venkys out - Nothing else matters

He’s just gone up another level for this:

I’m in the area, but swore I’m not going again under these abhorrent owners. Things get real tomorrow, a real test for this side. Hopefully a 1-1 for the travelling fans Just looked at tickets in the home end, not many left, £41 in the main stand, let’s see if the beer takes effect and heart rules head. Safe trip everyone.

As it looks like Sammi is about to depart for pastures new, I can't help but feel both sadness personally and happiness for the lad himself to be honest. The way he's conducted himself has been exemplary, non of this "I'm not playing, I might get injured crap" that we've witnessed over the years, just good honest graft and do you job, what a superb attitude the lad has and he deserves everything that is coming to him. For me he goes in the same bracket as Speedie and Bellamy, both had small but significant cameos at Ewood and will always be remembered fondly, even if they are unaware themselves of the status the fans hold them in. Over the years I've never been happy seeing players leave, especially players that make us a better team, but with the current 'ten bob ownership' and sever lack of ambition, I have no problems with him leaving, I'd do the same in his shoes. I wish him all the best in his next endeavour, good luck Sammi, thanks for the memories. Venkys Out - Nothing else matters.

It sold out in no time, why the hell didn’t we ask for more tickets?

One or two in the home ends for this one, don't tell anyone....

Even with sensible owners and a decently run club, teams in Championship are really up against it with spending power like this.

I've been mulling over the best kit debate, miy favourite has always been the Kendall era kit 79/80/81, this is very similar and equally as good, I'm torn to be honest.