STARS WON’T SIGN ‘THEIR LIVES AWAY’

GRAEME LE SAUX cherishes the picture of him handing over the Premier League trophy to late Blackburn owner Jack Walker (above).

It is one of the most iconic photos from that remarkable season when lifelong Rovers fan Walker achieved his dream of winning the title.

Le Saux, now a director with Real Mallorca and successful TV pundit, said: “There’s a lovely photo of me handing the Premier League trophy to Jack.

For me to be the lucky one to hand him that trophy was so special. He had tears in his eyes.

“Jack loved being around the group – we’d be getting ready for the game and suddenly he’d be in the dressing room.

“But he wouldn’t get in the way, like you imagine some owners would.”

Won the treble with Manchester United before returning to Ewood Park in 2000. Came back a third time in 2012 when he lasted 57 days as manager. Has managed in Norway, Poland and Hungary and is boss of AC Omonia in Cyprus.

Blackburn legend made over 330 league appearances in his two spells at the club. Won the treble with Rangers before ending his career at Blackpool. Managed Blackpool and Clyde. Returned to Blackburn and was their Under-21 assistant coach until 2014.

Replaced Tony Gale, who had made 15 starts in the first part of the season. Went on to play for West Ham and Fulham. Was Chris Sutton’s No.2 at

Lincoln and scouted for Brighton and Fulham. Has been West Brom’s head of recruitment since 2018.

He was Alan Shearer’s main supply line and joined Southampton in 1998. He set up a physiotherapy and sports injury clinic when he retired. Graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a first in Law and French and is now a qualified solicitor.

The team’s unsung hero deputised for the injured David Batty for virtually the whole campaign. Went on to play for Wolves, Doncaster and Shrewsbury before managing Stalybridge Celtic and

Came through Blackburn’s youth ranks and was the longest-serving first team player in their title-winning side. Went on to play for Leeds, Leicester and Blackpool before doing some media work when he retired. Is now Manchester City’s academy director.

Signed for £5.5m in 1994, he proved to be the last piece in Blackburn’s title-winning jigsaw, scoring 15 league goals that season. Had an unhappy season with Chelsea after a £10m move in 1999, before having great success in Scotland with Celtic. Managed Lincoln between 2009 and 2010 and is now a media pundit with BT Sport and the BBC.

The other half of Blackburn’s famous ‘SAS’ partnership – Shearer and Sutton – he scored a Premier League record 34 goals in 42 games that season. Joined Newcastle for a world record

£15m in 1996 and became the club’s and the Premier League’s record goalscorer. Briefly managed Newcastle when they were relegated in 2009 and is now one of the BBC’S football pundits.

Became director of football after the title win before leaving in 1996 and had spells at Newcastle and Celtic. Returned to Liverpool as manager in 2011 and was sacked the following year, despite winning the League Cup. Became a non-executive director at Anfield in 2013, had a stand named after him in 2017 and was knighted in 2018.

Made his fortune in steel and bought full control of his hometown club in January 1991, hiring Dalglish that October. Spent £25m building their title-winning side and another £20m rebuilding Ewood Park. Died aged 71 of cancer in August 2000.

Restart. Watford captain Troy Deeney (above) and West Ham’s Mark Noble (below) spoke up and raised concerns to place serious doubt over whether the Premier League can restart.

There have been underlying concerns about whether clubs and players would be insured, and players and the PFA want urgent answers. The Premier League insist the form is not a medical disclaimer but merely confirmation players have fully read all the guidelines and will follow protocol on the return to training.

Some players spoke up about wanting to return but there was a strong feeling on the video conference call, which took more than two hours, that more answers are needed before signing up. It is now down to the players on the call to pass on the information to their team-mates.

The Premier League will have talks with the FA, EFL and Government today. There is then a meeting on Monday when clubs are expecting a vote about returning to action. Some clubs are facing up to the prospect that not all players will report back, even if training starts next week, ahead of the first game potentially being played on June 12.

The Government also put out a 14-point plan on a safe return to training for elite sport and insisted that the decision should be a “personal one”.