4000 HOLES | est. 1989

BLACKBURN

roversfanzine. bigcartel. com • @ roversfanzine

SCOTT SUMNER

FAVOURITE COVER Jack Walker took full control of Rovers in 1991. Investment alone doesn’t guarantee anything, so the key part of the club’s rapid rise was Kenny Dalglish – attracting him to a Second Division side was... well, bonkers. It would be like Pep Guardiola leaving Man City, then being hired as Rovers manager a few months later. The cover reflected this crazy and uplifting time at the club – suddenly, there was no need to protest about the state of the toilets.

STANDOUT MOMENT Publishing Issue 100 this year. We were also shortlisted for the Football Supporters’ Association’s Fanzine of the Year Award in 2018. Though Doncaster’s

Popular Stand won that year, it really meant a great deal to us – there are still so many excellent fanzines keeping old- school and fan- led journalism alive. MEMORABLE PLAYER/ MANAGER INCIDENT

With Darwen Council’s policy on honouring the borough’s citizens, Blackburn had faced criticism for snubbing sporting heroes such as Bryan Douglas and Carl Fogarty. One of our contributors wrote a spoof story in 2002 about a proposed Mount Rushmore- style memorial to Jack Walker in a public park. ‘ Devil’s Rock to be Uncle Jack Memorial’ somehow found its way into the hands of the council, who were duped into believing the planned tribute was real!

MOST IMPORTANT STORY In early 2009, we made a plea to improve the dying atmosphere at Ewood, and suggested flooding both ends of the stadium with cheaper tickets for home fans. Not long after, the club took our advice and over 25,000 of us ( for a Sky game) enjoyed its impact when we beat Wigan 2– 0 to all but guarantee safety. Goals from Benni Mccarthy and Ryan Nelsen probably had a slightly bigger part to play, but still: ‘ It was 4000 Holes Wot Won It’.