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INCE
RETURNS .... TO THE DONS
MK get their man back
Blackburn Rovers may not have had much
luck last season with Paul Ince - but the former Manager certainly
was a hit at MK Dons. And news tonight confirms that Ince is
to return to the club and have a second spell as their manager
of the league one outfit. Paul brought Keith Andrews to Blackburn,
but despite his success at the lower level, wasn't able to convert
that to the top tier. The Don's Chairman Pete Winkelman told
the club's website "He enjoyed incredible success
during his first spell with us and showed himself more than
worthy of a shot at the Premier League. His achievements and
the manner in which he left meant we had to see him before we
even considered anyone else and it was obvious straight away
that the chemistry was still there. He remains one of the most
talented young managers in this country and I'm enormously excited
about what he can help us achieve."
ALSO IN THE NEWS TONIGHT
Rovers had been linked with a possible move for ex Newcastle
striker Michael Owen, but Big Sam said he had far too many injuries
... However following mass press speculation last night, the
29 year old ex Liverpool player has agreed terms with Manchester
United! The BBC Sports website Says he was surprised to be asked:-
"I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue
Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have
breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that
he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment's thought. This
is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with
both hands."
MEANWHILE AT ROVERS
There's further speculation that Sam might be trying to attract
the once £30 million man Christian Vieri. He's now 35,
but was "rated as the world’s
best striker, coveted by all the big clubs in world football,
and his international record for Italy stands up to most with
23 goals in 43 games" It's a funny old game!
(July 3rd 2009)
bbc.co.uk
(Paul Ince) ALSO bbc.co.uk
(Michael Owen) AND sport.co.uk
(Vieri)
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STEVEN
N'ZONZI |
FOUR
YEARS FOR Z'ZONZI
French Star is number four
As suggested on Monday - Backburn have now completed the
signing of the youngster dubbed 'The new Viera'. Steven
N'Zonzi has joined Rovers for an undisclosed fee and was
with relegated French side Amiens last season. Big Sam
had promised to find replacements for many of the key
players who departed at the end of last season - and with
the 20 year old midfielder, another slot could have been
filled. He'll still need to find a striker to replace
Roque - but it's still 6 weeks 'till the new season starts,
despite the fact that this week sees teams return for
pre-season training.
Rovers.co.uk say that roversworld will have an exclusive
interview with the new boy on the website very soon. Welcome!
(June 20th 2009)
rovers.co.uk
(full story) AND bbc.co.uk
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LARS
JACOBSEN |
FROM
EVERTON TO EWOOD
Danish Defender latest signing
Blackburn Rovers have announced their latest signing - 29 year
old Lars Jacobsen from Everton. He's the third player to join
the team this summer, with news last week that Gael Givet had
made his loan permanent and Elrio
van Heerden back at the start of June. Lars is the first choice
right full back for the Danish national side, and spent last
season with Everton where he had a one year deal. However he
seems to have been beset with injury and failed to play until
the final few months. He's joined Rovers on a two year deal
and the BBC say he'll 'fill the gap
left by the departure of Andre Ooijer '
Jacobsen already has 22 international
caps, and the Rovers website say that if he has a good season
with Rovers he should be able to look forward to a place with
Denmark at next years World Cup. Welcome (June 29th 2009)
rovers.co.uk
AND bbc.co.uk
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STEVEN
N'ZONZI |
NEW
VIERA ON HIS WAY TO EWOOD
French midfielder Steven N'Zonzi
SKY Sports reports that Big Sam
looks to have beaten other Premier League clubs to doing a deal
with Amiens to bring Steven N'Zonzi to Blackburn this Summer.
According to SKY, the 20 year old midfielder has already been
labeled as the next Patrick Vieira! They say Rovers had been
linked with the youngster earlier in the month. The Daily Mail
say he's likely to cost around 500,000 Euros. Portsmouth Were
also keen of the player, but Rovers seem to have won the chase
with Sam Allardyce agreeing personal terms with N'Zonzi. (June
29th 2009)
skysports.com
(full story)
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RUUD
WAN
NISTELRO0Y |
RUUD
BOY FOR ROVERS??
Ruud van Nistelrooy amazing link
Various papers and websites have
got hold of the story linking former Manchester United star
Ruud van Nistelrooy with a move to Blackburn Rovers. And before
you think - 'that's man! Big Sam is quoted on BBC Sport:-
"Who'd have thought Bolton would get Anelka? Nobody. It would
be a major coup if I could pull it off." It
certainly would, and BBC Sport suggests that if Real Madrid
could be persuaded to part with the striker, the transfer fee
could be as little as £1.5million .. but with a hefty wages
bill!! Sam says:- "The sort of salary he would be
on at Real Madrid may be beyond us. But maybe he wants to come
and play in England again and take less of a salary - then we'd
be interested."
The Rovers manager also discounts thought
of a move for Michael Owen from Newcastle saying "I
need a striker that's going to be available for 30 games next
season. That's not happened for Michael over the last four years."
(June 27th 2009)
bbc.co.uk
(full story)
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GAEL
GIVET |
GIVET
NOW A ROVERS PLAYER
Gael signs four year deal
Gael Givet came from Marseille on loan
to Rovers last season, and today the club completed the signing
of the defender for a reported £3.5 million. He arrived
at Ewood in the January window and went on to make 16 appearances,
and many admirers. Sam Allardyce told BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE:-
"It is a critical signing and there is more to come from
him. No-one really knew who he was when I brought him in - but
I did. He came in and made a massive contribution".
The signing looked likely some weeks
ago, but now some players have left the Manager is in a position
to spend some of the money. However Big Sam admitted:-
"Some of the money that has been created has gone to the
bank and what money is left will come in for new players. You
don't need to be a football manager to know what we need first
and that is a striker. But we do need to strengthen in other
areas too, including the young professionals - 21 players have
left since I've been here including Aaron Mokoena, Danny Simpson,
Carlos Villanueva, Tugay and Roque Santa Cruz."
You can read more of Sam's thoughts
on the clubs official website (link below) (June 26th 2009)
bbc.co.uk/lancashire
ALSO rovers.o.uk
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PETER
CROUCH |
COULD
CROUCH COME?
Rovers linked with Portsmouth Striker
The Daily Star believes that
Blackburn could be willing to pay up to £10 million to
bring Peter Crouch to Ewood Park. Pompey paid Liverpool £11
million to take the big boy South ... The thoughts of him along
side Chris Samba would frighten more than a few defenses!! Needless
to say, with the departure of Roque and Derbs - the papers will
try very hard to spend Rovers money for them!
Meanwhile SKY SPORTS say that Mattias Bjarsmyr could leave IFK
Gothenburg in favour of Blackburn. With little else to go on
SKY say "Previously the likes
of Birmingham, Blackburn, Celtic and Club Brugge have also been
linked" It's been a hot Mid Summers day ...
and the rumours continue to heat up! (June 24th 2009)
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FRANCO
DI SANTO |
LOAN
LOOKS LIKELY
Season-long loan deal for Di Santo
The Independent reports that
Blackburn Rovers look close to doing a deal that would bring
20 year old Argentine striker Franco Di Santo to Ewood next
season. The paper says that new Chelsea Manager Carlo Ancelotti,
will agree to the release on loan for a season. The London club
seem keen to give the youngster a chance to get some serious
Premier League Experience. The paper say that a deal was all
but secured before Guus Hiddink's departure ... and that it
should be in place before Rovers kick off their campaign against
Manchester City. (June 24th 2009)
theindependent.co.uk
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MATT
DERBYSHIRE |
MATT
MOVES OUT
Olympiakos sign Derbs
The official Blackburn Rovers
website have confirmed that Rovers favourite Matt Derbyshire
has completed his move back to Greece where he had a great loan
spell last season. Matt has signed a four year deal with the
Champions - and it's a great chance for him and his young family.
He's been at Rovers since 2003 (see below) when he signed aged
just 17 from Great Harwood Town. We wish him every success for
the future. (June 23rd 2009)
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ROQUE
SANTA CRUZ |
SANTA
SIGNS FOR CITY
Four year deal for Rovers striker
As expected Manchester City have
completed the signing of Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers.
He's signed a 4 year deal reuniting him with Mark Hughes who
brought him to Rovers from Germany. In his two years at Ewood
the Paraguayan scored 29 goals from 70 appearances. His Rovers
contract would have run 'till 2012, but he made it clear last
season that his heart was away from Blackburn. Big Sam was less
than impressed with some comments attributed to Roque in the
media - reproduced in the UK. Santa Cruz came to the club for
£3.5 million, and leaves for a figure close to £18
million. Roque's younger brother Julio remains at Blackburn.
The player told the official Man City website:- "I'm
very happy to have signed for City - it's been close to happening
for a while, and now I can just focus on football and concentrate
on doing my best for the club. I know the kind of football Mark
Hughes wants to play and the kind of character he is - he's
a winner, he wants to make things happen and be successful.
Those are always my thoughts as well, so knowing what he wants
was a big factor in coming here, because I know the club is
going in the right direction."
The legacy for Blackburn is
a transfer kitty that allows Sam to make some big summer signings.
Goodbye RSC! (June 22nd 2009)
rovers.co.uk
ALSO mcfc.co.uk
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KEVIN
DAVIES |
COULD
KEVIN RETURN?
Bolton star linked with Blackburn return
A number of sources suggest that
Big Sam might fancy being re-united with Bolton striker Kevin
Davies. Hull City have also expressed an interest - but Rovers
might seem a fascinating option for the 32 year old. Last time
he was at Ewood, the big money move from Southampton didn't
work out. Illness plagued much of his time at the club, and
he only managed 1 goal in 24 appearances! To rub salt into the
wounds - Rovers lost James Beatie in the move AND were relegated
at the end of the season! He returned to Southampton and Rovers
did much better business bringing in Egil Østenstad. Kevin's
Bolton career has been far more successful, and vitalfootball.co.uk
point out that Roques move and cash would give Sam the resources
to do the deal.
ALSO in the Sundays, suggestions that another former Bolton
boy - now at Newcastle - Kevin Nolan could also be making a
move back to his old boss at Blackburn (June 21st 2009)
vitalfotball.co.uk
AND soccervoice.com
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ROQUE
SANTA CRUZ |
ROQUE
ROAD TO EASTLANDS
£18 Million for want away striker??
The mail-online reports this
morning that Manchester City have agreed a fee with Blackburn
Rovers for Roque Santa Cruz. And according to the website, Rovers
could be £18 million better off if the deal goes through.
The report say the transfer fee would only be £15 million,
but the rest would depend on appearances and City's success.
The story could still run and run, with Mark Hughes keen to
build big at the Blue side of Manchester.
Sparky signed Roque for Blackburn from Bayern Munich for under
£4 million in 2007. He had a great first season, scoring
23 goals for Rovers. (June 19th 2009)
UPDATE 1
Rovers agre fee with City
(June 19th 2009)
UPDATE 2
Roque due for Medical at Manchester City Today - Monday 22nd
June ... SETANTA say "If he completes
his medical then it is believed the 27-year-old will move for
a fee of £18 million, reflecting his prolific debut season in
England when he scored 19 league goals in the 2007-2008 campaign."
dailymail.co.uk
ALSO setanta.com
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MATT
DERBYSHIRE |
DERBS
TO DEPART
Olympiakos to be new home for Matt
Many fans will be sad to read
the Rovers seem to have agreed a fee with Greek side Olympiakos
which will allow Matt Derbyshire to leave the club. Always a
firm favourite, the local lad spent half of last season on loan
in Greece, and when it became clear that they would rather like
to make the deal permanent, Matt said so did he. Now BBC Sport
report that Blackburn have agreed a fee thought to be in the
region of £3 million for the striker. And rovers.co.uk
in a very brief statement confirms that Derbs has been given
permission to talk to the Greek side.
Matt was born in Blackburn in 1986, and came to Rovers from
Great Harwood Town in 2003. He became a father of last year
and took his wife and young family out to Greece for his loan
spell. (June 18th 2009)
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Another
Matt in the camp ... And this ones a true local lad! Rovers
website confirms the signing of the 17 year old striker
Matt Derbyshire from Great Harwood Town. Matt went to
the same school as Paul Gallgher. Rovers have now also
agreed to play a pre-season friendly at the showground
next year. (27th Nov 03) FULL
Story rovers.co.uk |
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HOME
AT LAST ...
Rovers to start with a North West derby at Ewood
So the new fixtures are out,
and for the first time in a long time Blackburn will start their
season at home .. and it will be against former Rovers Manager
Mark Hughes! He might even bring back Roque if his move to Eastlands
goes ahead ... Last year Rovers started away with a 3-2 win
at Everton, and the year before with a 2-1 win at Middlesbro'.
The game will be played on Saturday August 15th, and then we
should be away before West Ham and new boys Wolves visit Ewood
Park. The BIG one ... Burnley ... is at the moment scheduled
for Saturday October 17th ... but like all initial fixtures,
is subject to change. It's away at Wigan on Boxing Day and at
home to Sunderland on December 28th. The Season ends earlier
with the 2010 World Cup next summer - so Rovers will be away
on May 9th at Aston Villa, and will play Arsenal as their final
home game of the campaign on May 1st.
You can see a full list of all the fixtures via bbc.co.uk
and at rovers.co.uk
(click the links) (June 17th 2009)
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NEW
SEASON - NEW FIXTURES
Wednesday 17th June 2009
The new fixtures for next season are released on Wednesday June
17th at 10:00. They will of course provide news of Rovers first
top flight encounters with Burnley ... not to mention a load
of other North West derby games. Your can see the list for yourself
by CLICKING
THIS LINK to the Blackburn Rovers fixtures page at bbc.co.uk.
Already listed are the confirmed pre-season friendlies, including
Hibernian at Ewood on August 5th. (June 16th 2009)
bbc.co.uk
(full Rovers Fixtures season 2009-2010)
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ROQUE
SANTA CRUZ |
MEDICAL
FOR ROQUE ??
City could make their move
According to "The news of
the world" Mark Hughes hope to be re-united with Roque
Santa Cruz this week at Manchester City. However the £15
million move might have a stumbling block ... the report
goes on to say IF he passes a medical. Roque had problems before
he came to Ewood - going back to Bayern Munich. And of course
the striker has not played since the beginning of March. If
Rovers do accept the offer - it would fall well short of the
£18 million they rejected in January ... and the £20
million thought to be needed to trigger an exit clause.
It could be an important week for Blackburn - certainly the
money would be welcomed by Big Sam as he hopes to bring in new
talent on a limited budget. (June 14th 2009)
newsoftheworld.co.uk
(full story)
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KENNY
& RAY |
Some
summer sunshine - Rovers title winners 1994-95
From the archives - a few memories
to share
and faces to remember
(CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
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YOUNG
KEEPER SIGNS
Nikos
Giannakopoulos from Asteras Tripolis
Various sources report that Rovers
have signed the services of 16 year old Greek keeper Nikos Giannakopoulos
fro just £52K with a 30% sell on clause for Asteras Tripolis.
SKY sports say that the youngster came on trail at Blackburn
a few weeks ago. He certainly seems full of confidence with
SKY quoting the teenager saying "I
know that my life will change. I feel ready to realise my dream
playing for Rovers. I will try my best to show my quality and
stay many years in England. The people of Blackburn showed me
how much they trust me and they told me that I have the credentials
to succeed. They told me that with hard work I will have the
chance to play at the first team very soon. I know the English
language so I think it's not going to be so difficult for me
to adjust to the English way of life."
Which isn't bad for such a young talent ... (June 9th 2009)
skyports.com
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ROQUE
SANTA CRUZ |
REDKNAPP
FOR ROQUE
Could Spurs get a bargain buy?
Many sites and papers report
that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is keen to snap up Rovers
striker Roque Santa Cruz for a cut price £10 million.
ClubCall.com quote the Spurs boss as saying:- "If
I can get the players I want we'll have a terrific team. I
reckon it will take £30m to get them but I'll have to balance
the books by selling." But
he also admits that he'll have to sell before he can buy.
Meanwhile the News of the World say Roque Santa Cruz
is "top of Harry Redknapp's summer shopping list." When
Manchester City showed keen interest in Santa Cruz - the Summer
sale price started at £20 million! They seem to have
cooled on the buy.
Other striker news in the Sundays
suggests that Stoke City, Sunderland and Blackburn are all
now keen on Alan Smith. The paper says "Smith,
28, is paid about £60,000 a week at St. James Park and Toon
owner Mike Ashley will listen to offers." (June
7th 2009)
clubcall.com
ALSO mirror.co.uk
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MATT
DERBYSHIRE |
STRIKERS
UPDATE
Derbs and Smith speculation
The Daily Mail report that Big
Sam is keen to capture Alan Smith from relegated Newcastle United
- and at the same time has rejected an offer for Matt Derbyshire.
There are mixed messages as the paper also says that Sam sees
Smith as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz, who has also been
quoted in other media as 'going nowhere' at present. The Mail
says that Sam hopes to bring the Newcastle man to Ewood with
a £2.5 million bid, and that he's rejected a £2m offer
from Olympiakos for Derbs. The papers and websites are full
of summer speculation ... much of it just that! (June 4th 2009)
dailymail.co.uk
(full story)
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ELRIO
van HEERDEN |
ROVERS
FIRST SUMMER SIGNING
South African Star signs for Sam
Blackburn Rovers have announced
the first summer signing, Cape Town born Elrio van Heerden.
The tip off came from the same agent who looks after Aaron and
Benni - and with the former departing at the end of the season
finding another talented South African could be good business.
Not only that, but the youngster who is 26 next month can be
quite a versatile midfielder. Talking to the Rovers official
website, Big Sam says he's delighted with his capture:-
"He was here on Monday and flew through our Premier League
standard tests ... We've signed a very talented young man, I
think it is a great addition".
The youngster has signed a two year
deal and comes on a free transfer from Belgian side Club Brugge
- having spent the last three years there. He started his senior
playing days at FC Copenhagen in Denmark. Sam expects his new
boy to take a while to get up to Premier League speed, but is
optimistic that he will be a valuable player and will make an
impact as the season develops. It's understood that he'll be
playing for South Africa this summer in the Confederations Cup.
(June 2nd 2009)
rovers.co.uk
(full story) ALSO bbc.co.uk
AND wikipedia.org
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TUGAY
|
CITY
COACHING CHALLENGE for TUGAY ??
Rovers legend heads back to the region
After a massive send off at Ewood Park - Tugay returned to Turkey
where we presumed he would start his retirement. But apparently
not! According to the Lancashire Telegraph he already has plans
to return next season to team up with his former Manager Mark
Hughes at Manchester City. There was always speculation that
Tugay would return to Ewood after hanging up his boots - but
that was when Sparky was in charge. Big Sam pointed out some
weeks ago that with no coaching credentials opportunities were
limited for that option. The paper quote NTV and the Turk back
home saying: "I made an agreement with
Manchester City and will work as a coach. To work there will
be a huge step for me. When I feel strong enough, then I will
begin to work as a technical director."
There's no confirmation from Eastlands. (June 2nd
2009)
lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
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