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Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers were formed in 1875 following a meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a football club to play under Association rules. Their first game, took place at Church on December 11th 1875. The club's colours were influenced by the fact that several influential club members were Old Malvernians. However, the green and white quartered shirts became light blue and white under the influence of the Cambridge educated members of the club.

A hat trick of Cup victories was achieved in 1885-86 when Rovers retained the trophy once more following a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich in the final.

The late 1890's brought a decline in Rovers performances in both league and cup. In 1896-97 the club slumped to 14th place in the league and followed this up by finishing 15th in the next season. More lean years followed as the club concentrated on improving facilities at the ground.

Once completed, funds were released to recruit new players including Jimmy Ashcroft, the England international goalkeeper from Arsenal and centre-half George Chapman from Hearts.

Following the end of World War One, the recommencement of the Football League and the return to normality it signposted was welcomed by the public at large.

The man Rovers turned to, to rescue them from the doldrums, was non other than the original Mr Blackburn himself, Bob Crompton. Gradually Crompton's influence as unofficial manager, began to permeate the club and slowly but surely fortunes on the field improved as the club finished 12th, 7th and 6th during the first three years of his reign.

Rovers were relegated to Division Two following the disastrous 1935-36 season. A good start that brought four wins in five games merely papered over the cracks and as their form deserted them Rovers only managed four more wins in their last 23 games.

After World War II the Football League began again in earnest for the 1946-47 season. The man charged with leading Rovers back to the promised land was Eddie Hapgood, the former Arsenal player. The situation was somewhat different to that encountered after the First World War in that Rovers were no longer the wealthy, influential club they had been then.

Two more promotion near misses, in 1955-56 and 1956-57, when the team finished fourth on each occasion only served to underline the depth of talent at the club. The gradual strengthening of the team as young players such as Ronnie Clayton, Bryan Douglas Roy Vernon and Peter Dobing were introduced and gained experience.

The 1965-66 season proved to be an absolute disaster for Rovers. The club began their season later than everyone else because of a polio outbreak in the town which meant they were already bottom of the table before they kicked a ball.

In 1991, Jack Walker was the catalyst for a change in Rovers fortunes on a seismic scale. With the team once again struggling in the league Don Mackay was shown the door and Kenny Dalglish was appointed in his place. The Scot, who had left Liverpool several months earlier, was charged with leading Rovers back to the promised land and this time a lack of resources would not handicap the Blackburn manager.

In 1992, Rovers became one of the founder members of the brand new Premier League. The signing of Alan Shearer underlined the scale of the club's ambitions, they were not there just to make up the numbers. Almost inevitably the following season was an anti-climax, a serious injury to Alan Shearer cut off the goal supply and Rovers eventually finished 7th.

The sale of Alan Shearer to Newcastle during the 1996 close season came as a bombshell to the fans and was indicative of the break up of the championship team. During the 1996-97 season itself Blackburn slumped to a disappointing 14th position.