WEST HAM v BLACKBURN
Rovers launch their new season undefeated pre-season with hopes that they can improve on last season with a full term under Mark Hughes. They have great expectations with the new signings keen to help make it a top ten finish. - no predictions here! (12th August 2005)
See BBC preview (click the link)
GOOD LUCK ROVERS.

Friendly - what friendly?? Blackburn 4 - Espanyol 0
The scoreline doesn't tell the story - and despite goals from Reid (38) Pedersen (43) and two from new boy Shefki Kuqi (49, 54) it was the two red cards for Espanyol and the injury to Matt Jansen that took the headlines. Albert Riera had already seen red for pushing over Paul Dickov on 30 minutes - then just a few minutes after coming on as a sub, Matt Jansen was brought down by keeper Idriss Kaneni (RED) and the injury looked bad. The whole game came to a halt, and the atmosphere in Ewood changed as a stretcher took off the popular striker. Despite the long break in play, no injury time was added and the game finished 4-0. Both Matt Jansen and Mark Hughes talked exclusively to RADIO ROVERS, the manager saying "We are touching wood at the moment, but we think he's OK. It was a terrible challenge, pre-season friendlies are supposed to be for the benefit of both teams, its a chance to play your football and get your fitness, but I think they came with entirely the wrong attitude towards the game. I just thought it was a poor challenge, but thankfully we hope Matty is ok."
Jansen the told the station - he thought he'd be fine - he was stunned and shocked by the challenge - but didn't think there were any broken bones. What should have been a great curtain raiser to the new season, left fans concerned and shocked by the challenge and attitude of the the visitors. Matt revealed that KAMENI had visited him in the dressing room to apologise for the incident.
So Rovers end their pre-season unbeaten and prepare for the real think next Saturday away at West Ham.(6th August 2005)
Follow all Blackburns pre-season games and results on this sites Special section
roversco.uk (report) AND rovers.co.uk (reaction)

Grimsby 1 - Blackburn 2
ROVERS made it three pre-season wins in a row with a narrow 2-1 victory over Grimsby at Blundell Park this evening. Rob Jones had given the home side the lead on twenty minutes, but Dominic Matteo levelled with a header five minutes later, and Matt Jansen completed the scoring just after half-time.(2nd August 2005)
Blackburn will complete their pre-season fixtures at Ewood Park this Saturday against RCD Espanyol [LIVE COVERAGE ON RADIO ROVERS 1404am & rovers.co.uk]
Follow all Blackburns pre-season games and results on this sites Special section
rovers.co.uk (full report) bbc.co.uk (report)

Swancy City 1 - Blackburn Rovers 4
Blackburn enjoyed a pre-season 4-1 win at Swansea City's New Stadium. Swansea put the Morten Pedersen headed Blackburn into a half-time lead from Paul Gallagher's cross. Brett Emerton centred for Steven Reid to nod home, then Michael Gray pounced on a mistake for 3-0. Swansea pulled a goal back from Andy Robinson's free-kick, but Blackburn struck again through Matt Derbyshire. (30th July 2005)

ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Matteo (sub Gray 70 mins), Todd, Mokoena (sub McEveley 75 mins), Reid (sub Taylor 80 mins), Emerton (sub Douglas 73 mins), Savage (sub Tugay 46 mins), Kuqi (sub Derbyshire 63 mins), Gallagher (sub Gresko 70 mins), Pedersen (sub Flitcroft 63 mins). Subs not used: Drench.
Follow all Blackburns pre-season games and results on this sites Special section
rovers.co.uk (full report) AND bbc.co.uk (report)

Real Mallorca 0 - Blackburn 2
Ryan Nelsen scored his first goal in a Rovers shirt as Blackburn chalked up their first victory of the summer with a 2-0 win over RCD Mallorca. Two first-half goals ensured victory against the La Liga side. The first came on 11 minutes as Steven Reid scored from a free kick - the second courtesy of Nelson, on the end of a superb Pedersen corner to head home. (26th July 2005)
Follow all Blackburns pre-season games and results on this sites Special section
bbc.co.uk (report) rovers.co.uk (full report)

1860 Munich 1 - Rovers 1
Blackburn launched their German pre-season tour coming from behind to draw 1-1- with 1860 Munich. The home side took the lead after 56 minutes - but with just 2 minutes of normal time left - Paul Gallgher secured an equaliser for Rovers.
Rovers next fixture is at Kirchdorf in Tirol, against Real Mallorca on Tuesday 26th. That match kicks-off at 6.00pm BST. (23rd July 2005)
Follow all Blackburns pre-season games and results on this sites Special section
roversacrive.co.uk report ) pre0506

Morecambe 2 - Rovers 2
Rovers opened the 2005-6 pre-season campaign with q 2-2- draw at hot and sunny Christie Park.
Mark Hughes managed to give most of his first team players a chance to perform and the match saw Summer Signing Shefki KuqiI score his first Rovers goal. The game also saw a debut for Criag Bellamy who featured in the first 45 minutes - Kuqi - in the second.
Rovers striker Paul Dickov opened the scoring after 25 minutes from the penalty spot, but Michael Twiss levelled just after the break. Shefki Kuqi finished with 19 minutes left, but the visitors were denied a win when Jimmy Kelly levelled.
Follow all Blackburns pre-season games and results on this sites Special section
rovers.co.uk (full report + pictures ) bbc.co.uk (brief report) pre0506

Bellamy - a Blackburn Boy!
Rovers have beaten a number of clubs and swooped for out of favour Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy. After his much publicised fall out with former Rovers boss Graeme Souness - Bellamy has been linked with his former Wales Boss as a 'logical' move. Talking to rovers.co.uk, Craig said "I'm happy to be here, I want to get on and play football, its been a tough period for me but I'm joining a club where the people know me and I'm looking forward to working with them. There's a lot for me to improve on ... I want to be a better player, Mark Hughes, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki all know that."
Mark Hughes told the site:- " A player of Craig's ability doesn't come to the marketplace very often, we are happy that we've been in a position to get someone of his undoubted ability into the football club. Craig is a renowned striker and he is proven at this level and he's going to be a very good player for us."
The BBC say that the 25-year-old Welsh forward agreed terms on a transfer thought to be just under £5m. (7th July 2005)
rovers.co.uk (Craig Bellamy) rovers.co.uk (Mark Hughes) bbc.co.uk (more) skysports.com (more)

Bye Bye Nissa.
Nils-Eric Johansson has departed Blackburn for Leicester City. The Swedish International was out of contract at the end of last season - so The Foxes have snapped him up 'on a free'.
Nissa told the BBC "The whole place is built for the Premier League and it is our job now to put the club back where they belong."
Rovers paid £2.7 for the player in 2001 (6th July 2005)
bbc.co.uk (story)

Nerlson gets the all clear
Blackburn Rovers are delighted with the success of their bid to get a full work permit for New Zealand star Ryan Nelsen. Already offered a new contract (for the next three years) the club still needed to go to appeal to get the right for the defender to stay in the UK and play here.
Rovers.co.uk quote Manager Mark Hughes:- "It is excellent news. Ryan was magnificent for us after arriving in the January window, establishing himself as a major figure in our plans. Prior to the work permit hearing we had already talked to him in detail about a new three-year contract and now we can set about the job of finalising all of that. I am delighted the matter has been resolved." (5th July 2005)
rovers.co.uk (full story) bbc.co.uk (more)

Rovers get 4 SKY games.
Blackburn have already been given a series of four games on SKY SPORTS in the adjustments to the fixtures for the new term announced today.
The games will be:-
Sun 11 Sept: Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers (k/o 4pm)
Sat 22 Oct: Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City (k/o 12.45pm)
Sun 18 Sept: Blackburn vs Newcastle (k/o 2.00pm)
Sat 14 Jan: Blackburn vs Bolton (k/o 5.15pm)
(5th July 2005)

skysports.com (all 88 live games on SKY)

Benni still keen on Blackburn move
BBC Sport report that South African striker Benni McCarthy is still keen on a move to the UK and the Premiership - possibly to Blackburn Rovers. However his agent Rob Moore says "He'll carry on to the end of his contract if he is not transferred this summer. If there are no developments with Blackburn this week that window of opportunity will permanently close."
In Rovers favour is news that McCarthy's threat to reject future offers if Porto refuse to sell him to Blackburn. (5th July 2005)
bbc.co.uk (sport)

Short Sheffield move ...
Craig Short has found another year of football at Sheffield United. At the end of the season, Craig told Radio Rovers that he hoped he'd get another year before he retired. Now 37, the move to Blades reunites the veteran defender with Neil Warnock who previously managed Short at Scarborough and Notts County. Warnock told the Blades website "I am delighted to get Craig. I've known him a long time and know what he can do."
Good luck Craig - and thanks! (29th June 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Who's Park??
Rovers new Chairman - John Williams - has hinted that the name "Ewood Park" could be a money spinner for the club. Sponsor's names for sports venues are now well established - "The Reebok" at Bolton - "The Walkers" at Leicester, and of course the Manchester Arena started life as "The NYNEX" and is now "THE MEN Arena"
Mr. Williams is quoted on miiror.co.uk as saying "Changing the name is definitely something I'd consider if it helped our ambitions." (29th June 2005)
mirror.co.uk (full story)

John Williams is Rovers new Chairman.
Blackburn Rovers have announced a reshuffle at Ewood Park that sees former Chief executive - John Williams - becomes the clubs Chairman.
The new board also see announcements of:-
Vice-Chairman: David Brown
Managing Director/Secretary: Tom Finn
Finance Director: Martin Goodman
Director: Robert Coar
Director: Richard Matthewman
Mr. Williams issued a statement in which he said "To be asked to become Chairman of the club is a great personal privilege. Even though in reality my job will not change that much I am nevertheless excited about taking on the challenging times that lie ahead." (28th June 2005)
rovers.co.uk (statement) rovers.co.uk (announcement)

Done Deal - Shefki Kuqi
Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the signing of striker Shefki Kuqi from Ipswitch on a three year contract.. The Finnish International told rovers.co.uk - "It was always my goal to play in the Premier League ...I was really pleased from the first time I heard of Blackburn's interest.... I'm really pleased and delighted to be here. As soon as I cross the white line, I don't care who I play against, I just go out to do my best and if I do that I know I can do a good job, and hopefully the fans will like that."
He also says that once he'd talked to Mark Hughes "a big hero" he knew Blackburn was the right place to come. Shefki is Rovers first signing of the Summer (28th June 2005)
rovers.co.uk (full story) bbc.co.uk (more)

Shefki Kuqi deal closer - as Rovers agree personal terms
bbc.co.uk report that Ispswitch striker Shefki Kuqi is set to have a medical on Tuesday "before completing his Bosman-style free transfer move." Quoting BBC Radio Lancashire - they say personal terms have been agreed, after he rejected a new two year deal at Portman Road. For the Championship side, Shefki scored 22 goals last season, and 32 in 86 league and cup appearances after his move from Sheffield Wednesday in 2003.
Blackburn have yet to confirm the details, but Kuqi looks likely to become the first Summer signing. (27th June 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

This time for SHEFKI KUQI ??
Blackburn have confirmed their interest in out of contract Finnish striker SHEFKI KUQI. He's been to Rovers before - on trail- but Graeme Souness decided at the time that he wasn't the man for him. Rovers' chief executive John Williams now says that Mark Hughes had talks with the Finn's representatives: "Mark is interested in Shefki because he feels he could give us something different. We have spoken to his people but we have not made an offer as yet."
Various sites have linked the 28 year old with Blackburn since in the past few weeks - now the (free) transfer is looking more likely. (21st June 2005)
skysports.com (full story)

Benni now no go ..
Despite all the speculation - it now looks likely that Benni McCarthy will NOT be joining Rovers this Summer. ITV Sport. They quote John Williams today as saying "We do not have an agreement, Porto knew what they wanted and presented their conditions to us but they did not have the idea of going any further." he went on "I made a great effort to sign the player, but we did not obtain him, therefore we have to leave it and look at another solution" And Rovers have withdrawn their bid ....
Meanwhile there's more positive news about former Rover Andy Cole, with Worldfootballs.com saying that Mark Hughes has been given £750,000 to complete the deal. Cole. (15th June 2005)
itv-football.co.uk (Benni) worldfootballers.com (Cole)

Sunderland Sign Stead
On June 1st Blackburn accepted the financial offer tabled by newly promoted Sunderland for Jon Stead. Today (Mon 13th June 2005) they completed the deal and agreed a fee £1.8 million for the young striker. BBC sport quote the Sunderland FC website where Stead confirmed .. "I had a choice between Sunderland and Charlton, I spoke to both and had a look around. It was just the feeling I got when I came here."
At Rovers, he scored 24 goals in 76 league and cup games after starting his career at Huddersfield. Along side Andy Cole he seemed to flourish - but the past season saw a fallow period for the player.The 22-year-old has signed a four-year deal after 16 months at Ewood Park.
Rumours continue to circulate about a return to Ewood for Andy Cole, who seems unsettled in the South, with his family still based in the North West (13th June 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full story) safc.com (more)

Could Brett be going to United??
icNewcastle.co.uk believe that Brett Emerton could be a target for former Rovers manager Graeme Souness. The site say "With Laurent Robert on his way out of St James' Park, United are left without anyone who wants to play out wide apart from young James Milner - and Emerton can play on both left and right"
Alan Oliver of the Evening Chronicle write "I understand that if United were to make a bid for the 26-year-old Aussie which would see Blackburn get their money back they would accept it. "
Oliver also speculates on Rovers signing targets and he says ... "Blackburn say that the only signing they want to make is a striker, but I get the impression that they have given up on Craig Bellamy. Of course, Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was Bellamy's boss when he was in charge of Wales but, with respect to everyone at Ewood Park, I know the fiery striker is looking for a bigger club". (9th June 2005)
icNewcastle.co.uk (full story)

Nelsen signs on for another three years ...
Ryan Nelson has signed a new contract that should keep him at Blackburn Rovers 'till 2008. The news Zealander came to Ewood last January, and made an instant impact. He adapted to the English game in no time, and his former fans in the USA watch progress via the web. Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk : "Ryan was one of my first signings and he performed exceptionally well for us last season. We are absolutely delighted that he has signed a new deal and look forward to him playing a key role for Rovers over the coming seasons."
The player will still need a new work permit, but the club believe that the application should be straightforward. (9th June 2005)
rovers.co.uk (full story) bbc.co.uk (more)

McCarthy might become a Rover ??
Blackburn have confirmed that South African star striker Benni McCarthy could be a target this Summer. SKY Sports quote chief executive John Williams as saying "He is a player we are interested in, we are looking at a number of options."
They also have quotes from the player himself who says "I have heard that Newcastle, Tottenham and Bolton are interested in signing me. But Blackburn are the ones following it up seriously at the moment." (6th June 2005)
skysports.com (full story)

Rover new look and sponsor
Blackburn Rovers have revealed their new sponsor for the next two years - and a new look away strip.
The unique deal sees the name LONSDALE - from Sports World International. Rovers.co.uk say that the famous blue and white halves will have their launch next month. (6th June 2005)
rovers.co.uk (story & 'photos)

King Cole to make Rovers return???
There's plenty of speculation about Summer signings for Rovers - but a number of Sunday papers believe that former Blackburn striker Andy Cole could be due to return to Ewood Park. He was of course team mate to mark Hughes, and left the club during the reign of Greame Souness and The People say "The only reason Cole quit Rovers was his feud with Souness, who left him out of the team in a dispute over the striker's refusal to go on a bonding trip.". Andy's family still live in the North West and the paper say that "Hughes became pals with Cole when they played together at Manchester United and Blackburn and he would dearly love to have him in his side.

In other transfer news, SKY report tat Stoke City look like leading contenders to take on Nils-Eric Johansson. Meanwhile teamtalk.com say the Cardiff defender Danny Gabbidon is now ready to make a move to the Premiership - he's thought to have been a Rovers target fro some time.(5th June 2005)
thepeople.co.uk (andy Cole) SKY.com (Nils) teamtalk.com (Gabidon)

Bellamy for Blackburn???
The Times say that Mark Hughes will step up his interest in Craig Bellamy as it looks likely Jon Stead's move away from Ewood is firmly on the cards. They quote the Rovers manager as saying “I did make an inquiry about Craig Bellamy in January and it is something I will look at again in the summer" (he said recently) "It is Newcastle’s decision as to whether they want to keep Craig, but he is a player I know well from my time as Wales manager.”
The paper say "Hughes will be confident of enticing the player, who would cost in the region of £5 million, to Ewood Park." (June 1st 2005)
thetimesonline.co.uk (full story)

Stead price agreed for Stead
Following last weeks news that Blackburn were happy to received bids for young striker Jon Stead - the club have accepted a bid from Sunderland, and agreed to allow the player to talk top the North East club. Stead's agent John Seasman says "Blackburn accepted a fee and gave Jon permission to speak to Sunderland, Mick McCarthy was pursuing him when he left Huddersfield and was disappointed he didn't sign but circumstances change and Jon wants to carry on his career." Rovers wanted £1.5 million for Jon - with a sell on and appearances clause that could add up over the years. However it's understood that Rovers have only paid £750,000 of the initial transfer fee to Huddersfield - reducing any profit on the deal. Rovers.co.uk say that two clubs are in the running.(June 1st 2005)
bbc.co.uk (fuill story) rovers.co.uk