Ready Steady - GO!
The Lancashire Evening Telegraph report that Blackburn Rovers may be ready to sell the player once believed to be a massive goal scoring asset. The paper say the Mark Hughes will be prepared to part with England Under 21 international to leave Ewood Park for a fee of around £1.5 million.. And his former club Huddersfield could also be quids in. The Huddersfield Examiner say "Town would get 17.5% of any profit should he move on from a sell-on clause in his transfer. Sunderland offered £0.8m to Town before Stead went to Rovers for £1.25m."
Stead didn't find the target 'till March of this year (at Everton) and failed to score at Ewood - accept in the Tony Parkes testimonial. All in sharp contrast to his fantastic start with Andy Cole which many believe helped keep Rovers in the Premiership after his move in 2004. (27th May 2005)
thisislancashire.co.uk (stories updated daily) ichuddersfield.co.uk (report)

Rovers dates for your diary.
It looks like Rovers could have a big curtain raiser at Ewood Park on the weekend of August 6th/7th 2005.
rovers.co.uk report that Mark Hughes and his team are considering various options for what's become a traditional way to herald the new term..

A few years ago, A.C. Chievo Verona came to Blackburn and David Thompson 84th minute goal saw Rovers the 1-0 victors. In 2002, the visitors came from Lazio, and again it was the home side who won the contest. For Rovers, a Paolo Negro (og) after just 34 seconds, with Dwight Yorke and Henning Berg providing 2 more to see a 3-2 win. It's hoped that once again a top European team will be here for the big day. (24th May 2005)

rovers.co.uk (full story)

New Contract for Matt Jansen
Blackburn Rovers have announced a new one year deal with the club - with a further one year option. The news will delight Jansen fans who hope that Matt can rediscover his form that saw him as top scorer the season before he was so badly injured in a road accident. No 27, was signed by former manager Brian Kidd in January 1999. He cost £4m and has since made 177 appearances for the club, scoring 57 goals. Last week Manager Mark Hughes said that he hoped the striker would back with the club - after an extended break - for the start of the new season.(23rd May 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (report)

Matt to play on at Rovers??
Matt Jansen fans will be delighted with the news that the Rovers favourite could be back for the start of the new season.
Manager Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Lancashire "He was struggling to cope with the demands and the pressure of the game" as a result Matt has gone on a break - but the manager says "We hope as a result of listening to people, we'll get him back - that's the aim."
It looks likely he'll be on a 'pay-as-you-play' deal. (18th May 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full report)

Rovers bid goodbye to Short and Nissa Blackburn Rovers have announced the departure of veteran defender Craig Short and Nils Eric Johansson. Mark Hughes pays tribute to both players saying that in Nissa's case Rovers couldn't guarantee him games next season which he knew he's want. Of Craig Short the Manager told rovers.co.uk "Craig has been an absolutely magnificent player for the club and a great team-mate of my own as well. He's been an absolute credit to his profession and his family and whatever is ahead for him he deserves every success. He has been such a great servant. " Craig Short told BBC Radio Lancashire he will play on somewhere else for at least another season. "I fancy going to play in Australia - that's no secret. But if it's not Australia, I'll definitely play another year in this country somewhere." (18th May 2005)

CRAIG SHORT

NILS ERIC JOHNANSSON

rovers.co.uk (full story) bbc.co.uk (full report)

Ewood Parkes - Tony celebrates in style
13,000 fans and some of Rovers biggest ever stars turned out to honour Tony Parkes at Ewood.
With Kenny in charge of the Pakes XI - and Mark Hughes looking after the current crop, the final score of 7-3 only tells part of the story. It was all about memories and magic. rovers.co.uk has a full match report
and a picture special; As the final whistle blew everyone stood to saluted Tony, who was obviously emotional as he came onto the pitch to accept their cheers.
.
Tony - thanks and all the very best for your future. (17th May 2005)
TEAMS
ROVERS: Friedel (sub Enckelman 38 mins), Nelsen (sub Taylor 46 mins), Todd (sub Kane 46 mins), Short (sub Byrom 74 mins), McEveley (sub Barr 58 mins), Mokoena (sub Harkins 46 mins), Douglas (sub Peter 58 mins), Johnson (sub J Garner 72 mins), Stead (sub Derbyshire 58 mins), Tugay (sub Stopforth 66 mins), Gallagher.
PARKES XI: Flowers, Grayson, Hendry, May, Hird (sub Donnelly 46 mins), Ripley (sub P Dalglish 46 mins), Cowans, Atkins (sub Miller 69 mins), Gallacher (sub Patterson 69 mins), Newell (sub Speedie 46 mins), Shearer (sub S Garner 80 mins).
rovers.co.uk (rmatch report) rovers.co.uk (picture special) rovers.co.uk (reaction)

Spurs 0 - Blackburn 0 ... And the season is over. Don't believe that the scoreline meant a boring draw - Brad Friedal made some fantastic saves, and Rovers also dominated periods of play. But at the close Mark Hughes was happy enough with the point - but even more so with the survival in the top flight for another season. Also good news that after a run of poor results, the defence returned to their best and as the Manager told the clubs official website "We weren't going to come here and just lie down, we've not done that all season. I thought we played ok in the first half, Freddie Kanoute was a problem to us with his ability in the air and his flick-ons, so we needed to address that at half time, we sorted that out. We came out in the second half and apart from a few goalmouth scrambles and a couple of balls into the box I thought we were very comfortable in the second half."

FINAL TABLE 2004-5 Season CLICK for FULL view

bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

Brilliant come back as Rovers claim the FA Premier Academy League trophy!
It's the sort of game that dreams are made of - Rovers youngsters were 1-3 down as the extra time board was show, Coventry had just gone down to 9 men. The men from the FA had already prepared the trophy with the visitors colours - but it's not over 'till it's over!!
Five minutes were added, and 3 more goals needed fro an unlikely victory. Joe Garner scored to make it 2-3 (91'00) Joel Byrom made it 3-3 (92'00) and then Garner made it 4-3 as the seconds ticked away. Almost 800 fans witnessed one of footballs greatest ever come backs, and Mark Hughes was on had to present the medals and the Trophy to Rovers young team. So ten years after the senior side became Premiership Champions - the Under 18's had their night of glory - and a great way to end the season at Ewood Park.(May 11th 2005)

FULL MATCH REPORT AND PHOTO'S ON THE ROVERS WEBSITE rovers.co.uk

FINAL SCORE Blackburn Rovers 4 - Coventry City 3
MATCH STATS: Att. 791
GOALS ROVERS: Kieth Barker 53'08 Joe Garner 91'00, 94'00 Joel Byrom 92'00.
COVENTRY: Paul Mcruik 64'52, Vijay Sidhu 77'00 Luke Jones (og) 80'00.
RED Cards: Stuart Wall (sub) and Craig Reid (sub)

Two Red cards - NO points - as Rovers go down 1-3 in final Ewood tie.
For the final home game of the season, and with Andy Todd missing through injury, veteran defender Craig Short returned to the starting 11 and was also handed the captain's armband. Thing started well with 5th minute goal and a first goal of the season for Lucas Neill. The things went badly wrong ... Steed Malbranque scored the equaliser, Brian McBride made it 2 for Fulham, and Rovers had a Robbie Savage penalty saved (his first ever miss from the spot). What was becoming a bad tempered affair was next to see Luis Boa Morte booked for unsporting behaviour, and Craig Short seeing red and dismissed for violent conduct. Minutes later am Rosenior was also dismissed for violent conduct!
Steed Malbranque got his second to make it 1-3 and Rovers suffered their worst league defeat since the trip to Chelsea last October. Mark Hughes told reporters "We had a bright start, got our noses in front but we allowed them back in the game with a poor goal. But we can't beat ourselves up. Overall we've got to be delighted with the season we've had - it's been a huge effort by everybody."
There is one more BIG game at Ewood - May 17th for the Tony Parkes testimonial. Ten years after the title came to Ewood, many of the Championship side will play under manager Kenny Dalglish one more time. Details are on the rovers website www.rovers.co.uk (8th May 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

Final home game this Saturday at Ewood ...
Mark Hughes will be hoping for a big finish to the season at home this weekend with the visit of Fulham. The Londoners' midweek match with Newcastle saw the Tynesiders pick up all three points (1-3) and overtake Rovers in the Premiership - pushing then down to 14th place. Rovers wanted a top 10 finish to Mark Hughes first season in charge - which make the Fulham and final game at Spurs (15th May) 'must wins'.
There's full live coverage from Ewood on Radio Rovers from 11:00 BST on Saturday morning, and a special Rhythms of the Blues with Rovers veteran defender Craig Short (13:30 BST).
Tune in to 1404 kHz am in Blackburn - or log on via roversworld at rovers.co.uk. (4th May 2005)

Flowers - Shearer to join Tony's BIG day ... Rovers.co.uk report that Tony Parkes testimonial game on May 17th can already confirm two of the biggest names from the last decade. Parkes is putting together an all-star line-up who'll take on a current Rovers squad on the big night, can already name Alan Shearer and Tim Flowers. "To get confirmation from Alan and Tim is a great start. They were both huge stars with Rovers and they had no hesitation in agreeing to play. We hope to release more confirmed names in the next few days."

SHEARER & FLOWERS

rovers.co.uk

2nd goal of the season for Stead - but it's not enough as Rovers loose 2-1 at St. Andrews
In a classic game of two halves - Rovers took an early lead as Jon Stead got his second goal of the season, thanks to a great cross from Brett Emerton . Stead should have scored again just before the interval, but missed a good chance. The second half saw the introduction of Robbie Blake who scored moments later, then with ten minutes left Emile Heskey found the back of the net to score the winner. Rovers looked tired in the second half, and conceded two goals in the Premiership for the first time since Boxing Day against Newcastle at Ewood Park. The result puts Birmingham above Blackburn by a point. (30th April 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

Rovers come from behind to claim valuable point at West Brom
Brett Emerton scored a great goal to bring Rovers level after they conceded to West Brom in a rare first half goal.
Kieran Richardson took the free kick from 20 yards that shot past Brad Friedal to find the top right of the net on 31 minutes. Rovers had chances two - with Jon Stead finding the woodwork. Brett Emerton's shot came on 64 minutes when he collected a cross from Morten Gamst Pedersen. There were excellent chances too for Robbie Savage and Steve Reid, and Mark Hughes told Rovers.co.uk that he felt Blackburn could have collected all three points. "In the second half we came out, I brought Tugay on because I felt we needed his composure on the ball and his passing ability and that worked well. We started to find out players a lot better, and got more width in our play and got more balls in the box. This lead to the goal and it could have led to more. Certainly in the second half we deserved to get back in the game, and on reflection we probably deserved to win the game." (26th April 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

0-0, but Rovers hit 40 points in penultimate game at Ewood.
Another clean sheet for Rovers - but no goals to celebrate in a 0-0 draw against Manchester City at Ewood Park. Rovers did what they needed to do to reach the magical 40 points this season - but it was the most creative of games. John Stead was close again and Blackburn came out at the start of the second half looking like the more likely to score. In the end they had to settle for a point and hanging on to that 12th place spot in the league
Mark Hughes told reporters after the game - "We never looked in any danger of losing. We felt we had the better of the chances and play but couldn't get the breakthrough we deserved. City were well organised. They kept their shape and got men behind the ball and made things difficult for us."(23rd April 2005)
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

'GAMST' does it again for Rovers. Blackburn 1 - Palace 0
Another goal from Morten Gamst Pedersen gave Rovers all three points and effectively Premiership safety for this season. The goal came just seconds ahead of the half time whistle as Pedersen tucked away a Robbie Savage free kick. Rovers now have 39 POINTS and 12th place - the highest since the start of the season. Mark Hughes was obviously delighted and told Radio Rovers "I've just said to the lads that on November 20th we were bottom of this league. We haven't had a great deal of credit from that point onwards about what we were trying to do and the efforts the players have been putting in. "But we have got there and we've done it comfortably with a month or so of the season to go so now we are looking to move up a few places. I think a few results went for us tonight, so onwards and upwards."
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

Arsenal two strong for Rovers - but 3-0 NO reflection of the game
Rovers went out of the FA cup in the semi-final at Cardiff to a first half goal just before the break - and then two late strikes that didn't reflect Rovers possession of commitment to the game. Post match the national media had a field day at Rovers expense and accused Blackburn of excessive physical play and in general gave a very biased view of the game. Rovers Manager Mark Hughes was surprised and upset by the reaction. (17 April 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full report) rovers.co.uk (reaction - proud of performance) goals0405 (match details) facup0405

Rovers bag all three points and three goals at home to Southampton
Rovers took another step closer to another season at the top level with three great goals and another clean sheet at Ewood ...Morten Gamst Pedersen gave Rovers the lead from a very narrow angle after Aaron Mokoena's long range pass picked him out. Andreas Jakobsson deflected Steven Reid's cross into his own net to make it 2-0 , before he scored the third to secure all the points. (9th April 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full report) rovers.co.uk (reaction) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)

(SORRY FOR DELAYS IN POSTING - HAD THE FLU)

Striker target for Rovers???
SKY Sports report a possible move this Summer for Anderlecht striker Nenad Jestrovic. He's the Belgian leagues top scorer, and at 28 wants a move to England. SKY suggest that a fee of £1.5 million would be needed to bring the International to Ewood, and they quote the players as saying "I don't know who Blackburn are interested in but I would be happy to play for them or teams like Bolton, Portsmouth and Aston Villa because The Premiership is the best championship in the world. I play physical football and I'm strong. They are qualities that will suit the English game." (4th April 2005)
skysports.com (full story)

Another vital point - at Old Trafford. Man U 0 - Rovers 0
After Everton, Liverpool and Arsneal, Rovers completed the run of four really tough games at Old Trafford and collected another vital point in a 0-0 draw. Mark Hughes returned to his former club to get a heroes' welcome from the home and away fans, and his team were rewarded with a clean sheet and another point which the manager scribed as "very satisfying," He went on to tell reporters "we have just come through a period of four games where people who didn't know what we are about would have felt we wouldn't have got any points out of them. We've conceded just one goal and picked up five points for our efforts. So we are delighted with the return given the quality of the opposition."
Brad Friedal made three top class saves in the first half, but had little to do after the break. Rover might have taken the lead in the first minute, but in truth Tim Howard had little to do all afternoon.

Hughes also believes Rovers could have picked up a winner late in the piece - and brought on Paul Gallagher to join John Stead up front . "But we defended our borders and might have even nicked it at the end," Hughes said.

The result give Rovers a 7 point gap to the relegation zone - with other results also going their way. (2nd April 2005)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals0405 (match details) t&t0405 (stats)