Todd gets three match ban.
ROVERS say that captain Andy Todd will not be appealing against the violent conduct charge issued by the FA following last Wednesday's match with Spurs at Ewood Park. He will now miss the forthcoming matches against Bolton on 11 September, Newcastle on 18 September and the Carling Cup tie with Huddersfield Town. (30th August 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

10 pounds for Town in the Cup
Rovers have confirmed that the second round Carling Cup tie at Ewood Park against Hudderfield Town will be played on Wednesday 21st September at 20:00hrs. The club also say that prices for the tie have been 'slashed' to £10 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and just £3 for juniors.
Rovers.co.uk report that "Tickets for this fixture will be on sale from Tuesday 6th September. Season Ticket Holders have until close of business on Saturday 10th September to claim their own seats. Ticket Office opening hours for Saturday 10th September are 9am until 12.30pm. Season Ticket Holders who have applied for the Home Cup Scheme will be sold their tickets automatically. These tickets will be sent out from Tuesday 6th September 05." (31st August 2005)
rovers.co.uk (full details)

Gally goes to Stoke ...
Also out on a season loan is Rovers Scottish International Paul Gallagher . The Stoke City website says that the 21 year old will go straight into the squad to play Norwich City this evening (Monday August 29th 2005)
The Potteries side also tried to sign Jay McEverley - but as reported below, he's opted for Ipswitch Town.. City's Director of Football John Rudge: "We are very happy to get Paul. He is a young striker of potential and we think he can do a very good job for us in the Championship. He will be in the squad tonight, although he has not had many games recently so that means he may start on the substitutes' bench. We came very close to signing McEveley as well."
stokecityfc.com (registered site - full story)

Jay goes out on loan - to Ipswitch Town
Young Rovers defender James McEveley has gone on a season loan to Joe Royal's Ipswitch Town the Manager says "He has got a lot of experience for a young lad and he's a good athlete,"
Jay seemed to make an instant impact for Rover against Manchester United when he had no problems dealing with David Beckham. His chances last season were limited, and now Rovers have decided that the loan deal is the best way to develop the youngster. When at Burlney Jay picked up a serious injury, and missed several months, he's also been loaned out to Gillingham.
James told the BBC "I've had offers to go elsewhere but once I found out that Ipswich wanted me my mind was made up straight away" (29th August 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Rovers go down 1-0 at Villa
A much changed Blackburn side saw Villa new man Milan Baros become an instant hero, as he claimed the only goal in Rovers second defeat of the season. The goal came after just 10'30 when Kevin Phillips passed for an 18 yard strike. Blackburn made little impact in the first half, but after the break the play went very much their way, everything BUT a goal. Matt Jansen came on and almost made an instant impact, then later in the half Jemal Johnson played some lovely football, but couldn't find the target. Shefki Kuqi had a couple of very good chances but Rovers failed to find the equaliser. (27th August 2005 )
rovers.co.uk (minute by minute report) bbc.co.uk (full rport) goals0506 (all the goals this season)

SECOND Round Draw - 27th September 2005
BLACKBRUN get a home tie with Huddersfield Town

(full Draw)
Watford v Wolves Wycombe v Aston Villa Wigan v Bournemouth Charlton v Hartlepool Fulham v Lincoln Yeovil v Millwall Doncaster v Man City Blackburn v Huddersfield Leicester v Blackpool Rotherham v Leeds Norwich v Northampton Scunthorpe v Birmingham Sheffield Wed v West Ham Burnley v Barnsley Grimsby v Tottenham Cardiff v Macclesfield Mansfield v Southampton West Brom v Bradford Gillingham v Portsmouth Crystal Palace v Coventry Barnet v Plymouth Shrewsbury v Sheffield Utd Sunderland v Cheltenham Reading v Luton
(Games to be played 19/20/21 September)
carling0506 (THIS site Cup page) rovers.co.uk

Loan Keeper joins Rovers from Watford
With the transfer window almost closed, Blackburn have signed up Watford 22 year old keeper Richard Lee on a season loan with an option to make the move permanent. Lee will wear squad number 30. Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "He will get the chance to train with us and work with the likes of Brad which can only be good." The youngster comes highly recommended and has previously worked with Kevin Hitchcock when he was Watford's goal keeping coach.(26th August 2005)
rovers.co.uk (full story) bbc.co.uk (more)

Rover 0 - Spurs 0
It wasn't for the want of trying - but Rovers could only pick up a point at Ewood on the back of Saturdays exciting win over Fulham. Spurs left star names on the bench, and Blackburn ended the game with ten men after Lucas Neill picked up a second Yellow card on 76 minutes.
BBC Sport Said of the game "Tottenham's bid to return to the top of the table was scuppered after a fractious stalemate with Blackburn"
Rovers.co.uk said "It was the least Rovers deserved as they continued to take the game to Martin Jol's side. As the players leave the field to great applause, the home fans let their feelings known to referee Dermot Gallagher. "
Blackburn now have 1 win, draw and loss from the first three games and are 11th in the league with 4 points.
rovers.co.uk (minute by minute report) bbc.co.uk (full rport) goals0506 (all the goals this season)

Two BRILLIANT goals & Three valuable points!
Rovers 2 - Fulham 1
Rovers sorted out last weeks little problem at West Ham, and entertained the Ewood faithful with a great game of football this afternoon. Morten Gamst Pedersen scored Rovers first after 14 minutes, and the 20 minutes from time Tugay secured the win for Blackburn. Both strikes were true gems, and worth of goal of the season - and there should have been more, with Bret Emerton and Man of the Match Lucas Neill both coming close.
After the early lead, it was a surprise that the interval came at 1-0, but Rovers were rocked by an early second half shot from Brian McBride which levelled the score. Despite a much improved Fulham performance after the break, Rovers were determined to recover their advantage, and Pedersen took the corner which provided Tugay with his winning scorcher. Last term Tugay only managed to get on target once (in the FA cup) so perhaps expectations that we'll see many more of his wonder strikes may be low, but with 8 last year fro 'The Gamst' surely there are many more fine finishes in the locker from the young star.
Post match Mark Hughes said "It was important we bounced back after last week and we controlled the game apart from the 10-minute period after they scored. "The quality of Morten Gamst Pedersen and Tugay's goals was exceptional and they will take some beating. "We had the measure of Fulham and were more than comfortable. We didn't allow them to get a foothold in the game."
Only 16,953 saw the wonder goals and the win - hopefully many more will see another success on Wednesday night at Ewood. (20th August 2005)
rovers.co.uk (full report) bbc.co.uk (full rport) goals0506 (all the goals this season)

ON-AIR for the new season
This Saturday (August 20th 2005) Blackburn launch their Ewood Park campaign against Fulham. Last weeks 3-1 defeat in London wasn't the best of starts for the new term - but Mark Hughes is confident that his boys in blue (and white) will rise to the challenge in front of their home fans. And the other boys in blue - have added duties too - with increased security this season. Stadium Manager John Newsham told the clubs official website:- "we are proposing to search all bags and we trust that our supporters will accept and understand our reasons. We would request that supporters do not bring bags with them unless absolutely necessary and it would also help if people were to arrive at the ground a little earlier than usual."
Tune into Radio Rovers on 1404 am or vial rovers.co.uk (worldwide) for the build up to the game - full match commentary and exclusive post match reaction. Have your say on the 'phone 44+(0) 1254 26 14 13 - By text 88442 (the words ROVERS RADIO + your message and name) or by email to touchline@radiorovers.com.

WEST HAM 3 - BLACKBURN 1 (RED card for Paul Dickov)
Blackburn got off to worst possible start in the 2005-6 campaign losing 3-1 and having Paul Dickov sent off with a straight RED.
Despite taking the lead after a Morten Pedersen Corner was put away by captain Andy Todd (18 mins) - the bright start was not to last. 3 goals for Premiership new boys West Ham in the second half sees Rovers well and truly beaten and in 17th place on the wirst day of the season. (13th August 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full report) AND rovers.co.uk (full report)