Michael Gray - signs new deal
Blackburn Rovers have announces a new two year contract for defender Michael Gray - who believes Blackburn IS the place to be. The former Sunderland man told ROVERSWORLD "I'm really really pleased that everything is finalised. It's been an on going process and we had to make sure it was right for myself and everyone else involved . We got there in the end and I'm thrilled to be staying on. You can see the place is buzzing, we've just had a tremendous season and we're going to try and take it a step further next season. I want to be a part of that."
You can see an exclusive interview with Gray only on ROVERSWORLD (subscription service) (26th May 2006)
rovers.co.uk (ROVERSWORLD)

City is is then ....
As Expected Manchester City have signed Paul Dickov on a two-year contract. BBC Sport quote the City Website - "Blackburn offered me a great deal to stay - two years - and they were going into Europe. But I just felt the chance of coming back here was too big a pull for me. It's fantastic for me. I never wanted to leave in the first place."
Rovers released Dickov last week (see below) with the return to Manchester always on the cards. (26th May 2006)
bbc.co.uk (full story) mcfc.co.uk (more background)

Todd keen to stay at Ewood Park
SKY SPORTS report that Rovers captain Andy Todd is keen to continue his stay at Blackburn - with two years left to run on his current contract.
They quote Todd's agent on rumors of 'words' between the player and his Manager (Mark Hughes) ... with Peter Harrison quick to quell any talk of any possible departure.
''There is no bust-up and Andy has two years left on his contract, he is looking forward to playing in Europe.''
Manchester City and Wigan, along with Portsmouth, had been possible clubs in for Todd. (21st May 2006)
SKY SPORTS (full story)

Dickov Off ... and probably to City?
Blackburn Rovers have confirmed one of the worst kept secrets at Ewood Park - Paul Dickov will not be returning to Rovers next season. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph quote Chairman John Williams on his departure:- "Paul has been released by the club after he decided not to accept our offer of a new contract. I don't think there was any problem with the terms we offered him, it was more of a football decision. We'd like to thank Paul for his efforts over the last two years, and we wish him all the best for the future."
Sources in Manchester have expected the Scot to return to the Blue side of the City for some time, to join up with his old club again.
Paul scored 17 goals in his 61 Rovers appearances. Signed by Graeme Souness for a just £150,000 from Leicester City two years ago, he became popular with the fans during his time at Ewood. His departure will mean Mark Hughes could be in the market for two new strikers this summer. (19th May 2006)
lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk (full story)

Bellamy to stay at Rovers ???
Mark Hughes seems 'quietly confident' that Rovers star striker Craig Bellamy will still be just that next season. Hughes is quoted in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph as saying "We want to keep our best players, not sell them."We're a top-six side and looking to kick on. I'm more than confident that Craig will be here next season." He scored 17 goals in 26 league and Cup starts after joining Blackburn last Summer from Newcastle United. Craig's been linked with more and more top clubs since his performances for Rovers started to grab the headlines. (15th May 2006)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Stanley v Rovers for pre-season curtain raiser ... and there's more!

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed their first friendly of the Summer, with a very special night in Accrington. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph report that just ahead of a tour to Germany, Rovers will help launch Accrington Stanley back in the the football league at the newly renamed "Fraser Eagle Stadium" on Wednesday 19th July, kick-off 7.45.
Stanley chairman Eric Whalley says "John Williams has told us that all the big names will be involved so that it helps us to sell tickets."

Rovers are to take in a high profile German tour to help their preparations for UEFA football next season. The Telegraph report that Manager Mark Hughes is planning to take his side on a 10-day training camp at the end of July. They've set up friendlies against Bundesliga high-fliers Hamburg on July 22, and against Greek champions Olympiakos on July 28. (13th May 2006)


lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk (full story STANLEY) lancashireeveningtelegraph,co.uk (full story - GERMAN TOUR)

Post match Mark Hughes joined his players for a lap of honour, and the fans stayed to show their appreciation for what's been a superb season. Talking exclusively live on RADIO ROVERS, the Manager said "I think the game typified our season, a lot of the qualities that we've had to show this season came to the fore. As always we dig in and we get the performance, we never looked like losing even though we were a man less." And Sparky told reporters:- "The players were magnificent as they have been all year. It has been a season of hard work and achievement." And to preview next season, Blackburn played their final game in their new home shirt. Sponsored by Bet24, the blue and white top still caries the LONSDALE name. Rovers complete the season with 63 points from their 38 games; 19 wins, 6 draws, 13 loses, and a goal difference of +9 and 13 home wins! (7th May 2006)

ROVERS new home shirt

See you again next season - and keep checking for transfer news during the summer at www.gjmedia.co.uk

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

Three more years for Sparky ..
SKY Sports report that following Tuesday nights 1-0 win over Champions Chelsea - to secure 6th spot and European Football next season ... Mark Hughes has signed a new 3 year contract to keep him at Ewood 'till 2009.

SKY say Mark had been linked recently with the vacant Newcastle job, but has always indicated his desire to remain at Ewood Park. There are no related stories or official confirmation (as yet) from rovers.co.uk
The SUN quote Morten Gamst Pedersen on the Manager:- "We’ve got one of the best young managers in the game and a lot of good players — young players who are still improving and are eager to get better. If we continue to work hard and stick together then we can become a very good side." (3rd May 2006)
rovers.co.uk confirms contract and quotes the Manager as saying "I am excited by what is happening with Rovers and am very happy to pledge my future to the club. We have enjoyed a great season and I am looking forward to being part of the club's success going forward."
Rovers Chairman John Williams told the site "Mark ticks all the boxes for us, he is well liked by the playing staff and very popular with our fans. His record speaks volumes. I am delighted with this development, it is excellent news for the club."
Mark Bowen and and Eddie Niedzwiecki have also signed new deals (4th May 2006)
skysports.com (full story) the sun.co.uk (full story) rovers.co.uk (full story) bbc.co.uk (full story)

ROVER BACK IN EUROPE
Blackburn 1 - Chelsea 0
It was the culmination of a fantastic season - as ROVERS guaranteed their place in the UEFA cup next season with a 1-0 win over the English Champions at Ewood Park. Chelsea made 8 changes from the side who took the tittle at the weekend, and Rovers with without Ryan Nelsen and Andy Todd for a changed back four. But Rovers did everything possible to put pressure on the Londoner's in the first half, and were eventually rewarded with as goal from a superb Robbie Savage free kick that seemed to find the back of the net. Robbie was booked for his celebration before Steve Reid was credited with the final touch and the goal.
The second half saw much more of Chelsea, but Rovers defense managed to keep them out to secure the win. The whole of the Blackburn end got to their feet to show their support, and all sides of the ground joined in an historic Ewood night reminiscent of eleven years ago!
Mark Hughes told RADIO ROVERS "Everybody is delighted, it has been a huge effort by everybody. Obviously the guys who put the shirts on will get the plaudits and rightly so, but there is a huge support staff behind them, everyone from the training ground to the offices everybody pushing behind them and we got our reward today. Sometimes you don't get what you deserve but this year thankfully we have, it is a huge effort and a great achievement."
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506