GALLY GOES TO ARGYLE ON LOAN
Striker away yet again
Vitalfootball.co.uk say that 24 year old Paul Gallagher has joined Plymouth Argyle on what could be a season long loan. Paul was on the bench for Rovers 4-1 win over Grimsby in the cup last week - but that looks like being his last Rovers call for some time. Over the past few years he's been loaned out to Stoke City (twice), and Preston North End. Now the latest move might be he last - with chances of regular first team football at his home team looking unlikely. Good luck Paul.
The transfer window closes tomorrow night at 12:00 - and Rovers are linked with Australian Brett Holman, currently playing his football in Holland. ThePeople.co.uk say "Ince has opened talks with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar who have only just signed the 24-year-old from NEC Nijmegen - and he is willing to buy him and give them a quick profit.... The Dutch club are reluctant to sell but would take defender Andre Ooijer in part-exchange."
Watch this space.... (31st August 2008)
vitalfootball.co.uk (Gally) ALSO thepeople.co.uk (other transfer news)

ROVERS STILL CAN'T WIN AT WEST HAM
West Ham 4- 1 Blackburn Rovers
Craig Bellamy rubbed salt in the wounds with one of two injury times goals - and Blackburn's miserable record continued as they were 'hammered' again in London. Things didn't start well either - with the home side finding their first after just 12 minutes. They made it two eight minutes later when Chris Samba was credited with an own goal ... However Blackburn looked to be turning things around when almost immediately Jason Roberts was at the other end to claim Blackburn's first - and only goal. Matt Derbyshire replaced Roque Santa Cruz who retired with a foot injury - and almost instantly had the ball in the back of the net - sadly ruled off side. So it could have been all square at the break. Paul Ince gave debuts to Vince Grella and Keith Andrews (who replaced the Australian at half time) and the second half started with a penalty award to Rovers. A foul by Julien Faubert on Jason Roberts who confidently stepped up to take it - but the West Ham keeper made a great save. According to commentators - referee Mike Riley didn't have a great afternoon - with a succession of decisions ruled against the visitors and a clutch of yellow cards handed out to the Blackburn men. With Rovers hanging on West Ham introduced former Rovers favourite Craig Bellamy, and five minutes of injury time was signaled. Bellamy made it 3-1 and to complete a sad afternoon Carlton Cole beat Robinson in the 95th.
Paul INce told reporters: "Everything went against me today and everything went for Curbs. I'm not happy because we had enough chances to change the course of the game. Curbs is obviously a lucky manager but I know he's also a top manager and I'm pleased for him."
So yet again a visit to the Hammers saw no joy for Blackburn and with an International break next week Paul Ince has to bide his time to sort things out - especially at the back. Arsenal next up at Ewood - it might not be that simple to find the next winner. Blackburn stand 8th in the table. (30th August 2008)
bbc.co.uk (full report) PLUS goal0809 + t&t0809 + fix0809

CARLING CUP DRAW
Rovers at home to Everton
The third round draw for this years Carling cup sees Rovers getting a second home tie - but it's Premiere League opposition. Blackburn opened this years League campaign at Goodison - and it's Everton who'll travel to Ewood in the cup. Ties will be played week commencing 22 September.

The Full draw is:-

Arsenal v Sheff Utd ~ Brighton or Man City v Derby ~ Burnley v Fulham ~ Portsmouth v Chelsea ~ Blackburn v Everton ~ Rotherham v Southampton ~ Swansea v Cardiff ~ CIpswich v Wigan ~ Stoke v Reading ~ Leeds v Hartlepool ~ Watford v West Ham ~ Man Utd v Middlesbrough ~ Liverpool v Crewe ~ Aston Villa v QPR ~ Sunderland v Northampton ~ Newcastle v Tottenham
(30th August 2008)
BBC SPORT for full details

SIGNING NUMBER SIX
Keith Andrews joins from MK
Blackburn Rovers have announced the much anticipated signing of MK Dons captain Keith Andrews. Paul Ince has been linked with bringing his former player to Ewood for some time, and the deal could be worth up to £1million depending on appearances. He's signed a three year contract and told BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE how pleased he was to complete the deal. "It's taken a long time and a lot has gone on behind the scenes but I am delighted to be here. Once I knew Blackburn were interested there was one place I wanted to go....I made no secret of wanting to move... You can't give up these opportunities in life and to be fair to the chairman he hasn't stood in my way."
Just short of his 28th birthday, Keith was born in Dublin and played at Hull City before the move to MK in 2006. Last season ended with him being voted into PFA Team of the Year, having already won the League Two Player of the Year Award at the Football League Awards.
Paul Ince doesn't look to have close the Rovers cheque book just yet - with further speculation that Northampton goalkeeper Mark Bunn is poised to join, subject to a medical. The Summer window closes on Monday at Midnight. There's also good news for new boy Vince Grella who received International clearance and is ready to play his part at the weekend. (29th August 2009)
bbc.co.uk (full report PLUS audio interview) ALSO rovers.co.uk ALSO wikipedia.org (biog)

CARLOS, DERBS and EMERTON ON TARGET
As Rovers sail through to the next round
Blackburn Rovers 4 - 1 Grimsby Town
It didn't look like the perfect start when Tom Newey placed a free kick just under the bar and Grimsby took the lead after just 6 minutes. But normal service was resumed within ten minutes and Rovers pushed aside the Mariners to claim their place in the Carling Cup 3rd Round. All the talk was about the eight changes made by Paul Ince, and starts for new boys Villanueva and Simpson - with Keith Treacy at left back and Carlos up front with Matt Derbyshire. Everyone had their hopes for the Chilean, and he didn't disappoint. His goal in the 17th minute curled in from 20 yards out, and his reputation was assured. He could have made it two on the half hour, but the ball fell to Matt Derbyshire to tap in for his first of the night. Next up - for the first time since 2005 - Brett Emerton scored a cracking goal from 18 yards out. And he should have collected his second two minutes later if it hadn't been for the Grimsby keeper. So 3-1 at the break and lots to look forward to. Ten minutes into the half, Morten Gamst Pedersen provided Derbyshire with the perfect cross to claim his second, and he should have gone on to get at least two more! Phil Barnes had a great night between the sticks for the visitors, or it would have been a cricket score. Great entertainment and a wonderful debut for Carlos, Treacy and Simpson. Jason Brown (in for Paul Robinson) had nothing to do other than collect the ball from the back of his net in the early stages.
Assistant Ray Mathias told RADIO ROVERS "In the first 20-25 minutes I thought they were in the game and pressured us a lot. But once we got into our pattern of play things started doing the right things I think things started to change then."
Of Carlos Villanueva - Ray said: "He started off a little bit shaky, feeling the pressure of the game just trying to get into the tempo of the game. But once he got into that he was absolutely fantastic. We've seen him score goals like that all the time in training so it just shows what he can do. He also had a hand in two of the other goals so it was a complete performance from the boy..... When you talk about man-of-the-match displays I thought Matt did very well indeed, you look at the chances he's created for himself with his movement and the crosses coming into the box he could have four or five goals tonight. Keith is a great athlete, he can get forward and deliver good quality crosses and also he has pace to defend at the back."
So Rovers are in the draw from Round 3 on Saturday lunchtime and another Rovers star was born! (27th August 2008)
bbc.co.uk (report) ALSO rovers.co.uk (Ray's reaction) PLUS goal0809 + t&t0809 + fix0809 + carlin0809

VINCE GRELLA JOINS ROVERS
Australian sings 4 year deal
SKY Sports report that Blackburn Rovers have signed Australian International Vince Grella from Torino in a deal thought to be worth around £4 million. Vince is a midfielder who's 28, married with 2 children. When Australia played Ghana in London two years ago, he was Australian captain. He's played football in Italy for the past 10 years, and is of Italian decent (full name Vincenzo "Vince" Grella). At just 14 he was the youngest footballer to join the Victoria Institute of Sport in Melbourne, and he went on to train with the Australian Institute. Of course at Ewood Park he'll team up with his fellow Countryman Brett Emreton. The lancashiretelgraph.co.uk quote Chairman John Williams: “Paul made a holding midfielder a priority almost from day one and we’re delighted to have finally signed Vince.” The news is confirmed on Rovers.co.uk, and it's expected that more details will follow ahead of Blackburn's League Cup clash with Grimsby on Wednesday evening. (26th August 2008)
skysports.com (full story) ALSO rovers.co.uk PLUS wikipedia.org (biog)

ROVERS SHARE POINTS WITH NEW BOYS
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Hull City
Paul Ince warned before Rovers first home tie of the season, that Hull City would be no push over. He was right - and despite most of the early possession and pressure - it took 38 minutes for Blackburn to find a way through an effective Tigers defense. It was Jason Roberts who connected with a Steve Reid cross to find the back of the Hull City net and claim the first home goal. Sadly the celebrations had hardly died down before Richard Garcia had found the equaliser at the other end. 1-1 at the break, and expectations that Blackburn would pick up the pace and find another goal - but as the match progressed, individuals looked tired, and the midweek International calls (for 10 players) seemed to take their toll. Paul Robinson made some good saves, but little troubled the Hull keeper. And the first match for Paul Ince at Ewood Park ended in a 1-1 draw.
Post match the Manager told RADIO ROVERS "It was very very hard, I knew it would be. Being a player myself, going away on international duty and then coming back is always difficult. I've had about an hour with all my players this week. And at times it showed, we looked tired, very lethargic. I think conceding the goal so soon after we had just scored killed us a bit. It was very disappointing defending. I'm not pleased with the performance, but I can understand why we played that way, it will be nice to have a full week with my team .... But at the end of the day if someone had said to me Everton away and Hull at home, you'd take a draw at Everton and a win against Hull. It is still two unbeaten and that is the most important thing."
The Blackburn boss also paid tribute to his opposite number Phil Brown - and his newly promoted team. The result still saw Rovers move up the early table by 2 places, and they stand 2nd behind Liverpool at the top of the table.
All change on Wednesday - with Grimsby at Ewood Park for the Carling Cup. (23rd August 2008)
bbc.co.uk (full report) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction) PLUS goal0809 + t&t0809 + fix0809

ROQUE SANTA CRUZ

ROQUE FOR 4 MORE ROVERS YEARS!
Santa Cruz signs new contract
The perfect news for Rovers fans on the eve of their first home game of the new season - Roque Santa Cruz has signed a new deal that will keep him at Ewood 'till June 2012. The club's official website says little more, but BBC Sports adds that The Paraguay International had been linked to bids from both Manchester City and United, plus Arsenal. They say "The 27-year-old's decision to stay at Ewood Park until 2012 is a major boost to new Rovers boss Paul Ince. The striker scored 23 goals in all competitions last season after moving to Blackburn from Bayern Munich." There are hints too that Robbie Fowler is also going to be offered a deal - but as last weekend - not in time for the first home tie with Hull City at Ewood Park (22nd August 2008)
bbc.co.uk (full story) PLUS rovers.co.uk

RADIO ROVERS RETURNS
UK's First Football Club station on air from 11:00 BST
There's a full 7 hours of unique match-day radio on offer for the start of the home season at Ewood Park. RADIO ROVERS starts its new season of 'live' programmes broadcasting on 1404 kHz AM and worldwide (via subscription) on rovers.co.uk. Four hours of pre-match build up will include reaction to last weekends win at Goodison, Interviews with Paul Ince, David Dunn and new boy Julio Santa Cruz - but to name a few. There's also a wonderful archive half hour with Bobby Mimms - first heard in May 1994. His "Rhythms of the Blues" will mark Bobby's return to the club as a keeper coach. There's a full 90 minutes of uninterrupted commentary + post match 'live' interviews and your post match comments. Call 01254 26 14 13 - email touchline@radiorovers.co.uk or text 88442 followed by ROVERS RADIO - your message and your name ...
Your Hosts GERALD JACKSON, NEIL YARDLEY and WENDY HOWARD. Tune in from 11:00 BST - It's part of every Rovers fan's matchday experience. (22nd August 2008)

JACK WALKER
Eight Years Past
August 17th 2000 saw Blackburn Rovers say good-bye to the man who put so much into the club, helping create their Premier League status and all that's gone on since then - Jack Walker. This site published a couple of special pages at the time, you might like to visit. They form a personal tribute and a photographic one, from the week of memories that August. (17th August 2008)

LINKS gjmedia.co.uk/Jack AND gjmedia.co.uk/jack-photos

ENGLAND CALL
Paul Robinson for England
Blackburn Rovers summer signing goal keeper Paul Robinson has been named in the England Squad who play the Czech Republic in a friendly on August 20th. Robinson talked of his wish to reestablish himself in the England team when he joined Blackburn - but has only had the one game so far to show what he's capable off. However three's no place for Stephen Warnock who collected a cap last time.

The full line up is:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea),David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe(Portsmouth), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic)
England v Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium (16th August 2008)
bbc.co.uk

NEW SEASON OPENS WITH A GREAT WIN
Everton 2 - 3 Blackburn Rovers
Rovers looked to have the perfect start to their 2008-2009 Premier League Season - David Dunn opening the scoring after just 22 minutes and Blackburn continued to dominate the half. So it was a shock when with seconds to go to the break, Everton were awarded a free kick off a 'hand ball' and Arteta curled the ball past Paul Robinson into the back of then net. Half time 1-1, and certainly not deserved by the home side.
In 'a game of two halves' it was the Toffees who started the second half better. They were rewarded when Yakubu connected with a brilliant Arteta cross to make it 2-1 in the 64th minute. But the lead only lasted a minute, before birthday boy Roque Santa Cruz scored his first of the season to restore parity 2-2.
And that's how it looked like ending - until the 93rd minute, when Rovers were awarded a free kick. Warnock with the ball in, Ryan Nelson with a header which hit the post, then Andre Ooijer there to score his first Blackburn Rovers goal and to win it for Paul Ince and his team! 2-3 the final score and a great way to open the new season.
Paul Ince told rovers.co.uk: "We thoroughly deserved it. In the first half I thought we were different class and played some lovely football, we should have probably been two or three goals up ... We have that never-say-die attitude, we never know how to lose, we never give up and that is from having good players, talent and togetherness, it was great to see that today.... The whole team did ever so well."The first table of the term shows Blackbunr 2nd behind Bolton. (16th August 2008)

bbc.co.uk (full report and see Paul Ince interview) ALSO rovers.co.uk (reaction) PLUS goal0809 + t&t0809 + fix0809

FOWLER CLOSE TO A DEAL
Robbie could sign very soon
Paul Ince has told BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE that Robbie Fowler, who's been on trial with Rovers most of the Summer, could be close to sign a deal with the club. Ince said "We're close to doing something with Robbie. I've always said he needs to get his fitness and sharpness and now we are seeing signs of that. He's been different class in training especially in the last three of four days. I will sit down with the chairman now and see where we go from there."
Fans saw Fowler in action last weekend when he came on as a sub for the final pre-season friendly against NAC Breda.
Blackburn kick off the new season this afternoon away to Everton at Goodison. It's thought that Roque Santa Cruz will be fit for selection - but unlikely that Fowler will be available yet, to face his former clubs (Liverpool's) old enemy (16th August 2008)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

CARLING CUP DRAW
Rovers get home tie with Grimsby
The draw for the second round of this years Carling Cup took place - with non European action Premiere League teams involved for the first time. For Blackburn Rovers - the first hurdle will be at home - and they'll be face Grimsby Town of league one, who beat Tranmere 2-0 in round one. They opened their league campaign with a 0-0 home draw against Rochdale.

The Full draw is:-

Ipswich v Colchester ~ Coventry v Newcastle ~ Hartlepool v West Brom ~ West Ham v Macclesfield ~ Huddersfield v Sheff Utd ~ Cardiff v MK Dons ~ Swansea v Hull ~ Rotherham v Wolverhampton ~ Brighton v Man City ~ Reading v Luton ~ Blackburn v Grimsby ~ Wigan v Notts County ~ Leeds v Crystal Palace ~ Crewe v Bristol City ~ Middlesbrough v Yeovil ~ Fulham v Leicester ~ QPR v Carlisle ~ Nottm Forest v Sunderland ~ Burnley v Oldham ~ Southampton v Birmingham ~ Bolton v Northampton ~ Watford v Darlington ~ Preston v Derby ~ Cheltenham v Stoke
(13th August 2008)
BBC SPORT for full details

CARLING CUP DRAW
Rovers in draw fro next round
The draw foR the next round of this years League Cup takes place tonight. As Rovers are not in Europe this season, they automatically enter the bag of balls! (13th August 2008)
Check BBC SPORT for full details OR rovers.co.uk

NOW WARNOCK WANTS TO LEAVE
Stephen Warnock puts in request?
SKY Sports News report that Rovers defender Stephen Warnock - who signed a new contract in the summer, now wants to leave Ewood Park. Warnock's contract extension should have kept him with Rovers 'till 2012 - but now things look very different. It's thought that Newcastle and Everton have both expressed their interest in the player who joined Blackburn from Liverpool for £1.5 million. Only yesterday Paul Ince assured fans that he wouldn't be selling any more players after the departure of Brad Friedel and David Bentley. SKY say that an unnamed club have had a £2 million already turned down, and MailOnline say that Blackburn valued Warnock at around £5 million. (12th August 2008)
skysport.com (full story) ALSO mailonsunday.co.uk (more)
UPDATE - NOT ASKED FOR A TRANSFER ...
Rovers official website says today that Stephen Warnock has NOT asked to leave the club. He says "The reports are rubbish" (13th August 2008)

rovers.co.uk

LETS GO DUTCH
Rovers share spoils with NAC Breda
Blackburn Rovers 1 - 1 NAC Breda
Rovers final pre-season game brought Dutch outfit NAC Breda to Ewood Park. On a wet afternoon, the conditions didn't help - but Blackburn still managed to have the upper hand in the first half - until the 45th minute! Just before the whistle went Csaba Feher beat Paul Robinson to make it 1-0 to the visitors. But not daunted, Rovers returned for the second half determined to level the score. And it took under 10 minutes for Keith Treacy to provide Jason Roberts with the perfect cross for the striker to find the back of the net. 1-1 and honours even ... and despite all Blackburn efforts, and four subs, that's how things remained. Roque was still out injured, Ryan Nelsen in Beijing with New Zealand, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Brett Emerton were observers for the afternoon. The match did provide Ewood debuts for Paul Robinson and Danny Simpson, with Robbie Fowler Aaron Doran, Tugay and Alan Judge all coming off the bench to play their part. So Paul Ince told RADIO ROVERS he was very happy with the work out. Now the challenge is to select the 11 who'll start the season next Saturday away at Everton with 3 points. (9th August 2008)
rovers.co.uk (Full Report) ALSO pre0809 (pre-season)