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The Rovers Fan Column

By Anthony Corke, Blackburn Rovers fan, 24th June 2003
Heskey & £8m For Duff? - Have your say in the footieNews chat room

Well, whats happened to Rovers since I last wrote a column…. Here goes….. Finishing in a UEFA Cup place, Rovers fans can enjoy travelling to some Norwegian part-timers field somewhere, and don’t bank on a win! (Remember Trelleborgs?) Beating Everton to 6th place was a fantastic achievement, as now the league is set to 3 divisions- the top 5, the mid-table lot and the relegation fighters, that means we finished top of our group… not bad, eh! I can see us doing much better, not for many seasons to come- the top 5 will dominate, and steal Dunn (good riddance), Duff, and probably Freidel in a couple of seasons to come. And although Amoruso and other foreigners you’ve never heard of will arrive this summer, we’ll never be able to compete with the likes of those two red teams who I will not mention. From now till the start of the season, I’ll have a ‘transfer rumours’ paragraph in this column, listing the unbelievable and totally out-of-this-world transfer stories I’ve heard this week! The big one this week is Duff on his way to Liverpool, a swap deal for Heskey and ₤8m? I can't see this happening, unless Cole or Yorke go, and Souey has already told the media that Yorke will not be sold. And that damn Real Madrid stealing our chance to sign Beckham – but the ₤25m bid beat ours ‘we’ll give you Freidel, the Darwen End, half a curly wurly and a packet or Wotsits’ bid, which was a shame. This column will be updated WEEKLY now I have more time to myself, so keep checking back, won't you! Come On You Blues! Tony Corke.

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By Anthony Corke, Blackburn Rovers fan, 2nd November 2002
Can Rovers finish in the top 5 this season? - Have your say in the footieNews chat room

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Rovers carry on their fantastic run winning all 3 points at Highbury! Arsenal’s terrible run continues, David Seaman getting most of the blame. Edu scored for both sides in the 1st half before Yorke chipped the ball over Seaman’s head in the 51st minute to get the all important winner. 11 minutes from time captain Garry Flitcroft was sent off for a second bookable offence, but it made no difference as Rovers held on to the win. This week commences the first leg of the Battle of Britain, when Rovers play Celtic up in Scotland in the UEFA Cup. And over the last few weeks after great wins over Newcastle and Arsenal, beating or drawing with Celtic isn’t out of our hands? In other news, Graeme Souness received a 3-match ban and a £15,000 fine this week for receiving a red card earlier in the season. Alleged bad language was used by Souness and he was banished to the stands, although Souness still disputes that he did not swear! And the fantastic news that Tiny Taylor and Tugay have signed new long-term contracts contract at Rovers gives us a possibility of a great future! Taylor, who is a player from Rover’s own fantastic youth scheme, has proved his worth as a 1st team player this season! Cheers,

Tony Corke

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By Anthony Corke, Blackburn Rovers fan, 20th October 2002
Can Rovers beat Arsenal in their next league game? - Have your say in the footieNews chat room

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Before the game, I would have been happy with a draw, I suppose 5-2 will have to do! :)

Dabizas used his hand to block Yorke's shot on the 4 minute mark- hardly giving time for the Rovers fans to warm up! The referee immediately gave the red card and Dunn slotted home from the spot. Dunn put Rovers 2-0 up just five minutes later. Egil Ostenstad held the ball up before spreading it out to Gillespie, who in turn played the ball in for Dunn to hammer home his second underneath Given.

Dunn required lengthy treatment after appearing to be caught in the face by Bellamy. The Wales international was quick to protest his innocence and referee Wiley agreed the clash was accidental. Three minutes later Newcastle reduced their deficit from the penalty spot. Neill nudged Shearer in the back as they challenged for Nolberto Solano's deep cross, and Shearer calmly dispatched the penalty for his 300th goal at club level.

Newcastle got their second from a Robert corner that found Shearer who was unmarked in the area - and he headed home from 10 yards.

Thompson fired in a corner from the right which fell to Dunn who snapped a shot at goal but it ricocheted off a Newcastle defender and fell beautifully for Martin Taylor – a Geordie himself - who wasted no time in slotting home.

Rovers fourth goal was another scrappy effort. Given made a good save from Gillespie's header but the ball bounced off Griffen before trickling over the line.

Taylor's second on 74 minutes was Rovers 5th, and there was no way Newcastle were going to get back into the game!

Next comes Arsenal in the league, who won't be easy to beat, even though Everton finally ended their unbeaten run today, maybe that's a good omen!

Cheers,

Tony Corke

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By Anthony Corke, Blackburn Rovers fan, 18th October 2002
Should Shearer be booed on his return? - Have your say in the footieNews chat room

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Shearer returns! This week sees the return of Alan Shearer to Ewood, and to be honest, I feel the booing from some hostile Rovers fans is over the top. I think we should give him a warm welcome back, which gives him less of a reason to get on the scoresheet! The bad news is Andy Cole will not be starting the game against his old club, a hamstring injury keeping him out, and Damien Duff also with similar problems. David Dunn has recovered from injury and is back in the squad. I think the big news for Rovers this week was the comeback of Matt Jansen, scoring in a reserves game, the first competitive game since his near fatal motorcycle accident, which could have cost him his life. His vow to come back better than ever shows how his ordeal has give him a boost, and I'm sure Mr Souness and Mr Erikkson will be keeping a close eye on his progress. And with Cole out for the Newcastle game, Jansen could be back in Premiership action 3 months earlier than expected! My prediction? A 2-1 win, with Jansen bagging a goal! Come On You Blues! Cheers,

Tony Corke

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By Anthony Corke, Blackburn Rovers fan, 27th January 2002
Can Rovers beat Spurs to win the Worthington Cup? - Have your say in the footieNews chat room

It was a Cup week for Rovers this week and it couldn't have gone better!

Well we made it! A fantastic game at Ewood on Tuesday saw Rovers go to their first major cup final in 42 years, when we were beaten by Wolves in the FA Cup final. The great victory was marred by crowd trouble from the Wednesday fans, and believe me, as an ex-steward at Ewood, I know how hostile it can get in the Darwen End of the stand.

The home secretary David Blunkett has launched an investigation into the trouble, the police being heavily criticised for the way they handled the trouble. Missiles were thrown and fans clashed with police when anger flared when Garry Flitcroft made an horrendous tackle on Soltvedt. The red card was shown, now our skipper may sit out of the Worthington Cup final in Cardiff.

Due to us going to Cardiff, the league match against Ipswich will be rearranged. It was scheduled for the day before the final, and will be moved. No set date has been made of yet though.

Now onto the FA Cup 4^th round, and a visit to Millwall. We made 3 changes from the team that played Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday; Alan Mahon, Damian Johnson and Lucas Neill coming in for Curtis, Duff and Hignett.

The match was full of chances, Millwall put up a great fight and had many chances to score – Brad Friedel pulling off some great saves to keep us into the game.

Cole saved the day again, 4 minutes from time. Alan Mahon’s cross found Cole’s head and the back of the net and got us into the last 16. Millwall deserved the replay, if nothing else. Another visit to Cardiff on the cards? Erm, lets wait and see!

Damian Johnson’s days at Ewood are numbered, his contract expires at the end of this season, Rovers have not offered him a new one as of yet. Graeme Souness has made it clear he won't get first team football here. He has decided to search for a new club, so its certain Johnson and Grabbi will both leave in the summer.

This week its back to the Premiership. A tough game at Ewood against Arsenal, and a visit to Upton Park - West Ham hoping to get one back on us for the 7-1 defeat earlier in the season.

COME ON YOU BLUES!

Cheers,

Tony Corke

Ends

Fancy doing what Anthony Corke is doing? - We're looking for a fan of each club to provide a weekly report on the club they support, be it transfer gossip or a match report - its a chance for you to brush up on your journalism skills and get your name on the site - interested? then email your details, the club you support and your first report to info@footienews.com and we'll be in touch!

By Anthony Corke, Blackburn Rovers fan, 20th January 2002
Should Rovers sell Ciccio Grabbi? - Have your say in the footieNews chat room

It’s a big week for Rovers; an FA Cup replay, a league game versus the champions, then Sheffield Wednesday visits us for the Worthington Semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

MATCH REPORTS

Goals from Ciccio Grabbi, David Dunn and Nils-Eric Johansson saw us knock Barnsley out of the FA Cup, and gives us a date in the 4^th round away at high-flying Millwall. Rovers comfortable display finished off Barnsley, who played well in the first game at Oakwell to take us to a replay.

The player of the match was Ciccio Grabbi, scoring just his 2^nd goal for Rovers, since joining in the summer for £6.75million. His great performance may be too late to save his Rovers career though, as you will read later.

Barnsley battled hard in the first half, their shots on goal were no problem for Alan Miller. Rovers got their first penalty of the season on 45 minutes; Neill being brought down by Barnsley’s Chris Morgan. Dunn slotted home from the spot. Rovers had a lot of chances, Hignett, Taylor and Hughes all missing the target. Once Rovers got their 3^rd slotted in by Johansson, it looked like no way back for Barnsley. They battled on, Dyer getting a consolation goal in the 65^th minute. Rovers kept Barnsley at bay to keep the comfortable 3-1 scoreline. Bring on Millwall!

Now off to Manchester, and a narrow loss of 2-1. We matched United all the way, a great performance by the lads once again!

I can't say Manchester played to the best of their abilities, a controversial penalty is all that separated the teams. A foul on Blanc got Nistelrooy’s eighth goal in eight games and gave them a slender lead going into the break.

Straight after the break we made a return, Craig Hignett linking well with Andy Cole before slotting it past Barthez. Rovers had a chance of taking the lead, Damian Duff going one-on-one with their ‘keeper, but all he could do was fire it straight a Barthez.

Van Nistelrooy then missed a possible winning goal, an amazing scissor-kick came off the underside of the bar. But, it was going to happen; Manchester United are the masters of scoring in the last ten minutes, and they did it on 81, Giggs setting up Keane who put it away.

We battled on, but we came out of Old Trafford with nothing. A season when I finally thought United had lost it; they’re back in the race for the title again.

TRANSFER NEWS

Ciccio Grabbi’s Man-of-the Match display against Barnsley on Wednesday won't save his career at Ewood. His great display could excite the Italian teams who are scouting him. Andy Cole’s arrival at Ewood meant the end for Grabbi, who wants to move back home to Italy. Bologna and Napoli are both interested in the striker, a possible £7m offer has been made, but it is still unknown whether one of the clubs will snap him up, as the Italian transfer deadline approaches fast.

Graeme Souness praised him after the game, but it is obvious that Souey no longer wants his services.

Graeme is going to make a new bid for West Brom’s Neil Clement. He’s already had 3 offers for other players turned down, including one from Liverpool for Djimi Traore.

Souness said "Its no secret were looking for a left-sided defender, and I've tried to sign Clement in the past" West Brom warned off Souness earlier in the season. It is unknown how much West Brom want for the player.

OTHER NEWS

Graeme Souness and David Dunn have rubbished tabloid reports that the two were not talking to each other, Souness saying that it was made up to try to get Dunn unsettled, and possibly moving clubs, as reports have said Chelsea want him. The two spoke together, Souness even saying that Dunn is not for sale, unless he got a "silly offer of over £20million" for the player! Souness said, "He’s the kind of player I was in my day, he reminds me of how I was" He then said, "With my help I can improve him, I want him to stay". David also seemed happy, rubbishing the story and saying that he doesn’t want to move.

COMING UP

The Worthington Cup Semi-final 2^nd leg vs. Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday. Sheffield could have some big names back for this game, Trond Egil Soltvet and Gerald Sibon the main two. Its almost definitely certain that Souness will play the Cole and Jansen partnership upfront, and a 2-1 1^st leg win, then coming to Ewood, isn’t a bad start! It’ll be the first time I’ll see Cole play, I haven’t had a chance to go and watch him yet! So you’ll have my very own match report, directly from the game next week!

And on Saturday it’s the 4^th round FA Cup clash at Millwall. Match report next week! I’ll also have the preview with our league game versus Arsenal.

COME ON YOU BLUES!