Good away win - on the day Alan Curbishley announced the end of an era at Charlton
Charlton 0 - Blackburn 2
Charlton fans were stunned when their chairman announced that after 15 years, Alan Curbishley was about to take charge of his last ever home game. The news could have seen his team lift their game, but it was Rovers who dominated the full 90 minutes, and probably deserved far more than two goals. Blackburn had slipped into 7th place after Newcastle drew at Birmingham City (sending them down) - but the three points - with a game in hand - see Rover back into a UEFA place.
A long throw in from Pedersen, and short range header from Reid gave Rovers the lead just before the break. The visitors dominance continued into the second half, and the pressure resulted in a Chris Powell own goal with an hour played.
There was some bad news for Blackburn Ryan Nelsen picking up an injury and having to leave the game after 50 minutes. But Mark Hughes will be more than pleased with a return to form after Blackburn only collected two points from twelve in the previous four outings.
Mark Hughes told roverc.co.uk "We were excellent from start to finish, we were always on the front foot and penetrated really well down the flanks. We got our goals at good times for us and saw the game out quite comfortably. It is a big three points for us given the situation we are in. We were really mindful of what we had to do today, we were excellent."
Next up it's newly crowned Prem Champions Chelsea at Ewood on Tuesday night - live on RADIO ROVERS. (29th April 2006)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

Gally Back at Blackburn
Paul Gallagher has had a great season at Stoke City. Despite coming back to Brockhall for treatment, the Rovers youngster has made all the headlines in the potteries - Top scorer with 12 goals in 35 starts. Now Mark Hughes has recalled the local lad to finish his season back at Ewood. rovers.co.uk report that with just one game left for Stoke - Gally might well play his part in the push for Europe and the last few games of the season. (24th April 2006)
football.co.uk/stoke (HIS FULL SEASON at Stoke city) rovers.co.uk (Gally gets recall) bbc.co.uk (more)

End of an Era ... Shearer retires ... Thanks Alan
With news this weekend that former Rover Alan Shearer has had to call time on his playing days, BBC Sport has added a selection of 'photo's to their website which might bring back a few memories. Picture number two shows Alan with the late Jack Walker when Rovers took the title ...
And a delve into the RADIO ROVERS archives unveiled Alan asking the fans for their support as the season came close to a close (CLICK HERE to HEAR the clip).
ALSO as a personal tribute to a man who's 30 plus goals each season he was at Ewood will never be forgotten, your can also listen to a RADIO ROVERS 'promo' from that unforgettable era, as Alan and the lads under Kenny's guidance kept 'the dream alive' of a Premiership title (CLICK HERE for 'THE DREAM)
PLUS - 'A little something for you' with a few of Sharer's goals from the 95/6 season (CLICK HERE to LISTEN) .... Enjoy and thanks Alan!!!

Dickov - Off???
Reports in Manchester suggests that former Man City man Paul Dickov might be considering a move back to his old club. BBC sport say that despite offers of a new contact at Ewood, his agent Phil Smith says "It makes sense to look at any offers clubs want to put to him. Any player in his position would want to do the same. But with courtesy to Blackburn, they have to be the first consideration."
The Rovers striker is only under contract 'til the end of the season, and the club were talking about a new deal a few weeks ago. Smith told bbc.co.uk We're used to the situation with Paul; he always attracts interest because of the type of wholehearted player he is, his goal scoring record and his playing record. We'd be surprised if there wasn't interest in him." (22nd April 2006)
bbc.co.uk (full stroy)

Savage score his first for Rovers - but still no points at St. Andrews
Birmingham City 2 - Blackburn 1
It was probably ordained - Robbie Savage would return to St. Andrews and score against his old club. But on a night when survival was at the front of all Birmingham minds - the West midland outfit struck a serious blow against Rovers European hopes. For the home side out of the bottom 3 - for Rovers only 2 points now from 12, and a pack of players just 3 points behind. After a poor first half the game and Rovers came to life after the break, and looked the most likely to score - but against the run of play Nicky Butt gave Birmingham the lead on the hour mark. But Blackburn didn't waste much time in going for the equalizer, and it was the former Brum favorite Robbie Savage who slotted home on 78 minutes. Sadly for Rovers other chances didn't fall their way, and Mikael Forssell off the bench to give the home side the winner with just 4 minutes to go.
Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk:- "Very disappointing I have to say, We never really got to grips with the game at any stage. It was only when we got back on level terms did we start to get in the ascendancy and look like we would go on and win the game at that point. But once again we switched off at the other at the other end."
Rovers remain 6th and have to wait 10 days for their next game against Charlton away. (19th April 2006)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

Off Side goal costs Rovers points
Blackburn 0 - Liverpool 1
Mark Hughes says"The decision on the goal changed the shape of the game from our point of view" and to be honest THAT was the story of the match. Rovers started brightly and seemed to have most of the first half possession, but when Robbie Fowler scored his fourth goal in five games, it marked the only real chance in the match. Talking on RADIO ROVERS, Hughes spoke of the build up to Fowlers' controversial goal, saying he believed that it should NOT have stood. "The player (Cisse) is clearly offside, he's made a move towards the ball so whether he touched it or not he's interfering with play." And according to Sparky "It's a disappointment because you know that if you go behind against Liverpool, the way they set up these days they are going to protect what they've got."
In fairness to Liverpool, their defense did its job, and Rovers failed to get behind their back four or create any true threat. Blackburn stay 6th but have collected only 2 points from 9 in recent games. For the record 29,142 fans made it the biggest crowd of the season at Ewood Park, 29,271 watched Blackburn v Newcastle at Christmas 2004. (16th April 2006)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

Zurab Rovers latest deal ...
Blackburn have today confirmed that on loan defender Zurab Khizanishvili has signed a contract that keeps him at Ewood Park 'till Summer 2009. Pictured with Chairman John Willaims, the young Georgian told ROVERS.CO.UK "Everything is finished, I'm now a Rovers player and I'm really happy to stay here. It was a dream come true to play in the Premier League and to be part of a top six club. It is a very friendly club and I was happy to sign, I'm looking forward to being here for a few years."
Zora came on loan from Rangers, and has already notched up 26 appearances. (10th April 2006)
rovers.co.uk bbc.co.uk

Bellamy Brace - but only 1 point at Portsmouth
Portsmouth 2 - Blackburn 2
Rovers took the lead twice - but Portsmouths determination for servival in the Premiership helped them to a 2-2 finish. Brad Friedel proved to be Rovers most influential defeder - with the home side testing the Blackburn keeper over and over again. For Rovers - Craig Bellamy continued his wonderful form with superb goals in each half.
Blackburn move back to 5th with 54 points ahead of the big Man U Arensal clash tomorrow (Sunday1 16:00) (8th April 2006)

rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

Three New deals at Ewood Park ..
Rovers.co.uk report tat Tugay has now signed a new deal with the club, and has agreed a one year contract to keep him with Blackburn Rovers until next summer.
There's also news about a deal for goalkeeper Peter Enckelman - a one year contract extension which takes him up to June 2008.
Blackburn have also announced that young Irish defender, Tony Kane, has agreed a new two year deal extending his stay until June 2008. (7th April 2006)

Valuable point at home to Wigan - Kuqi back on target
Blackburn 1 - Wigan 1
Rovers Manager Mark Hughes believed that they did enough in the second half to take all three points - but in the end the Rovers unbeaten home run continued with a 1-1- finish in the latest North West derby It was Wigan who drew first blood after Brad Friedel saved a shot by Lee McCulloch and Jason Roberts scored from the resulting corner (53 mins). Shefki Kuqi came off the bench to score his first goal in 2006 in a half that Blackburn dominated - a John Filan fumble from a Steven Reid shot The point keeps Rovers in the top 6 on level points with Arsenal (53) who have a game in hand.
Mark Hughes told RADIO ROVERS "I think in the end we are happy enough with the point. I was pleased with the reaction after we went a goal down to come back, we showed the belief, we got the ball down, spread the play a lot better than we did in the first half and were a lot better for it."(3rd APRIL 2006)

rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

Jack and Condi (and RADIO ROVERS sign!) CLICK for bigger picture	Jack and Condi AND That Shirt CLICK for bigger picture	Jack and Condi and Brad CLICK for bigger picture

'Photo Call
Jack Straw shows Condoleezza Rice round the ground!
With many thanks to BBC NEWS 24 - here are just three shots taken from the remarkable few hours that saw US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visiting Ewood Park with Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw. All American Network TV was there - rarely have Blackburn Rovers featured on CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS! Of course the BBC and SKY also provided a great view of inside Ewood and Dr. Rice recieved a coveted no. 10 Rovers Shirt, posed in front of the RADIO ROVERS sign! PLUS of course a chat with American keeper Brad Friedel.
Dr. Rice told journalists "if Blackburn is the centre of the world, the Blackburn Rovers must be the centre of the centre!"

CLICK ANY 'photo for the 'bigger picture' or HERE for the BBC photo gallery