Rovers’ return to top could be 10 games away
Derby v Blackburn Today, 3pm
IT is almost 25 years since owner Jack Walker wept as Blackburn
Rovers rocked the establishment by landing the Premier League title.
The Rovers benefactor bankrolled the glory days under manager Kenny Dalglish – and stars such as Alan Shearer, Chris Sutton, Tim Sherwood and Colin Hendry.
His reward came in
May 1995 when Rovers edged out Manchester United to clinch their first title in 81 years. There has not been one since.
Instead, there has been relegation, a return to the Premier League, and a further relegation slump right the way down to League One.
Today, as
Blackburn face
Derby in the Championship, there is growing optimism that under manager Tony Mowbray (above), Rovers could claim one of the promotion play-off spots.
The locals have needed persuading, with Ewood Park crowds often less than half of the ground’s 31,000 capacity.
But Shearer hopes the good times will return. “I love coming back to Blackburn, it’s a very special club,”he said.
“I had four incredible years there and absolutely loved it. So much has gone on, good and bad since then. It’s incredible to think that it’s now 25 years since the club won the Premier League.”
Despite drawing their last three games, Rovers travel to Pride Park with confidence. Mowbray said: “Our away form has been pretty good. There is nothing to fear from the games coming up. Everybody appears to be stumbling a little bit.
“How do Wigan go to West Brom last week and win after West Brom have been beating everybody? But that’s the league we are in.
“We’ve got 10 big events to come – Leeds and West Brom at home and, hopefully, we’ll have big crowds for those.”
Mowbray has just completed three years at the club and it’s fair to say his appointment was not greeted with much delight and optimism.
But, slowly, the former Middlesbrough and
Celtic defender has made the doubters eat their words, rebuilding the side after slipping into the third tier, with the emphasis on attack.
His squad is packed with forwards, including Sam Gallagher, Adam Armstrong, Danny Graham, Ben Brereton and Bradley Dack.
To try and bring back the missing fans and trigger interest among the next generation, Rovers have been on a charm offensive.
Parents and their kids have been invited and collected for home games. There are also special offers to attend the remaining games.
Chief executive Steve Waggott said: “With 10 games left and four huge games at home, including the top two, the more support and noise we can create, the better.”