Fade to Gray ..
Times up for Rovers defender
It's emerged that Blackburn will not offer Michael Gray a new contract when his current one runs out at the end of June. The former Sunderland man was brought in by Graeme Souness, and went to Leeds United on loan earlier this year. SKY Sports say that his last match was his 73rd appearance for Rovers, "...came in the team's 6-2 defeat at Arsenal in December."
We wish him well. (31st May 2007)

Blackburn 3 - Reading 3
6 goal thriller sees Rovers into Europe - Intertoto
It was Benni McCarthy who was ready to open the scoring & try to catch up Didier Drogba for the 'Golden Boot'. Sadly that wasn't to be, but the goal started a thrilling match with Rovers conceding as many as they scored. Seol Ki-Hyeon headed home Readings first, before Rovers Player of the Season (in the fans vote) David Bentley made it 2-1. Three minutes later Kevin Doyle made it 2-2 and game on again for Blackburn ... Mark Hughes decided it was time to make some changes, and first to come on was Matt Derbyshire (for Chris Nonda) .. within a minute he was in on goal and Rovers had the lead again 3-2.But with 15 minutes left to play Brynjar Gunnarsson made it 3-3 - and despite plenty more chances - that's how the season ended. The stats show 50/50 possession and a virtual tie too for shots on target - so the draw was probably a fair outcome. And more importantly, thanks to results elsewhere, Spurs, Everton and Bolton took the three UEFA slots, and Blackburn claimed the Intertoto place finishing 10th with 52 points.
Mark Hughes told RADIO ROVERS "It has been a decent season given the problems and the players that we've had missing - certainly in the early part - I think we've coped with that really well, we are all delighted."
The players and Management took a lap of honour in the rain to say thank you to the fans - and they were rewarded with a standing ovation.

Ahead of Kick off two fans traveled all the way from Cape Town in South Africa to watch the match. Craig Madeley originally from Blackburn & a Rovers fan, brought his friend across the globe to watch his adopted team Reading. Craig hadn't seen Rovers in action since the late 90's, and for Stuart it was a first visit to Blackburn. Both boys joined Gerald Jackson 'live' on RADIO ROVERS before the match. They also talked about Benni and Aaron and of course their South African pedigree! We hope they had a great afternoon.
Below some 'photos from the final day of the season - with the players parade & our special studio guests. (13th May 2007)

Rovers Parade 1 (Click to enlarge)	Studio Guest from SA (Click to enlarge) [Craig Madeley, Gerald Jackson & Stuart McDonald]	Rovers Parade 2 (Click to enlarge)

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, & CHECK BACK FOR TRANSFER & OTHER STORIES
rovers.co.uk (reaction) ALSO bbc.co.uk (report)
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Tottenham 1-1 Blackburn
Rovers miss out on automatic European spot
Benni McCarthy added to his season tally with a superb header after a wonderful Pedersen cross on 31 minutes, his 23rd of the season, and the first half ended with a 1-0 advantage to the visitors. Chris Samba should have made it two after the break, but found the woodwork. Spurs seemed to find some purpose, and it was now Rovers under pressure. This time it was Jermain Defoe who found the way through a less than convincing defense making it 1-1. Robbie Keane should have given the home side the winner, but managed to find the post. It was a miserable night in the Capitol, and never stopped raining - perhaps that effected the play - but nothing less than 3 points were needed for Europe, and Blackburn only managed 1. And to crown their disappointment, Jason Roberts saw two yellow cards and was sent off deep into injury time.
Mark Hughes felt the draw a fair result: "I thought we were excellent in the first half. We were getting up to the ball, trapping Tottenham in areas they didn't want to be and breaking off tackles won in midfield and were creating chances. So we'll take the point and hopefully if we win at the weekend that will be enough for us. The only disappointment on the night was the sending off of Jason Roberts, I felt it was unnecessary and it has just taken the edge of things."
The Intertoto is still a real possibility and as the boss said, Rovers will want a win on Sunday, at home to Reading to round of the season.
rovers.co.uk (reaction) ALSO bbc.co.uk (report)
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Chris could stay
Nonda offer of a permanent move
SKY sports report that Mark Hughes seems keen to keep loan striker Shabani 'Chris' Nonda. He's scored 8 goals this season - 7 in the league, and now the Rovers Manager has told The Sun that a transfer could be on the cards. "We'd like to get him here permanently. He's one of those players I feel will come through a lot stronger next year."
Chris joined Rovers on a season-long loan from Roma last Summer, and Sparky now has the option to make the deal permanent for £2million. (9th May 2007)
skysports.com

Benni still a happy Rover
"I'll stay as long as they want me ..."
Despite press reports at the weeeknd linking Rovers top scorerer Benni McCarthy with a move to former champions Chalsea. The Sun quote Benni as saying:- “Blackburn showed a lot of faith in me and got me here when other teams didn’t, so I’m very grateful. I’m not worrying about what’s being written in the papers, I’m just enjoying every single minute of my football. To come to the Premiership and become a crowd favourite in your first season is just amazing. I’ve got that here and don’t see any reason not to be grateful for what the team’s done for me. If the club decide to sell me, or whatever else they want to do with me, it’s their call, not mine. I’m just a player.”
(8th May 2007)
Thesun.co.uk (full story)

Rovers v Reading - 'live' on Radio Rovers
Final Sunday - not to be missed
This Sunday, another Premiership season comes to a close, with Blackburn at home to Reading. As Always there's exclusive full match commentary available via the club website *rovers.co.uk and across Blackburn on 1404 kHz am.
Tune in from 11:00 am BST for the build up to the game, and a look back at what's been a remarkable season. Your calls, emails and texts all welcome - with thoughts on season 2006-7 and your hopes for next term. (7th May 2007)
*Requires subscription

Newcastle Utd 0 - Blackburn Rovers 2
Benni makes it 22 & Jason, 5 out of 5!
It could have been far more - 4 at least - but Rovers were happy to settle for a comprehensive display and 2-0 result at St. James's Park. Newcastle have won their final home game almost every season, but not this year. A number of marginal off side decisions went against Blackburn, and perhaps the opening goal was close - but McCarthy was on hand to connect with a Stephen Warnock cross and claim the opener on 14 minutes. The chances kept coming for Blackburn, and they might have had two more before the break, but 0-1 it remained. Tight at the back again in the second half, and not too much for Brad Friedel to worry about. Then on 72 minutes, it was the always dangerous David Bentley who crossed from the right hand side of the box, and Jason Roberts headed home - game over. Derbyshire, Gallagher and Nonda all came off the bench towards the end, and Mark Hughes was delighted with the efforts from all departments. The Manager told reporters that finishing in the top seven and gaining a Uefa Cup spot was still on: "The results today have sent a number of clubs back towards us. If we can win our last two games we can get very close to the top seven, though no-one believed me when I said we could do it a few weeks ago. We've hit a rich vein of attacking form, we're on a great run of form and are playing exceptionally well now."
Benni McCarthy has made the best season return for a Rovers striker since the days of Alan Shearer, and for Roberts it's now 5 in 5 outings.
Now on 50 points - Rovers have a game in hand and are only 4 away from 7th place. They play Spurs (53 points) in the rearranged fixture on Thursday night before the final match, next Sunday at Ewood against Reading, who lost to relegated Watford this afternoon. (5th May 2007)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) ALSO bbc.co.uk (report)
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Sergio Signs for another 3 years
German youngster at Ewood 'till 2010
rovers.co.uk have announced a new deal for midfield maestro Sergio Peter. The contract could keep him playing for Blackburn for a further three years.
He's still only 20, and made 16 first team appearances this season after coming through the Brockhall academy.

There's also speculation today about the future for TUGAY - who is quoted as being keen to stay for two more years at Rovers.
BBC Sport have Tugay saying:- "I think I can continue for two more years at this level. I am hoping to stay as the Premiership is where every player wants to be. The club has become like a second family to me. I am happy both on and off the pitch. There has never been any reason for me to want to leave here." (3rd May 2007)
rovers.co.uk (Sergio) AND bbc.co.uk (Tugay)

Bellamy Rovers Return???
Could former striker make a move to Ewood
The Lancashire Telegraph believes that former Newcastle and Blackburn front man Craig Bellamy might well be heading out of Anfield The striker who scored 17 goals last term for Rovers was left out of the Liverpool starting 11 who played Chelsea - although he did come on late in to extra time. [Liverpool beat Chelsea 4-1 on penalties to make the Champions League final.]
The Telegraph say: "BLACKBURN target Craig Bellamy appears to be edging closer to the exit door at Liverpool after he allegedly admitted he wants to quit Anfield this summer. Former Wales international, Malcolm Allen, claims the striker confided in him at the weekend, and during that conversation he said Bellamy cited his lack of first team opportunities under Rafa Benitez as the reason he wants out." ... "Speaking on BBC Wales, Allen, who was reporting on Liverpool's game at Portsmouth, said: "I spoke to him (Bellamy) before the game here on the pitch and he told me it has been a very disappointing year for him, that he hasn't got a working relationship with Rafa Benítez, that they hardly speak to each other at the moment, and that the situation has become clear that for his own sake, and for his own career, he wants to play consistently, he wants to play in the first team week in, week out, and he hasn't been getting those opportunities at Liverpool." (1st May 2007)
lancashiretelegraph.co.uk (Full Story)