Home Club info Fixtures Team info Stats News Links

Latest news

10th January 03 - Dunn can go

Souness has revealed that Rovers would reluctantly consider selling Dunn if an acceptable offer came in. This is a clear signal that Souness has lost his patience with Dunn and his lack of professionalism and high profile lifestyle.
"I had a meeting with his agent and I did express an opinion that if we did get an acceptable offer, we would listen to what they had to say."
"I'd like him to stay and become the player I know he can be but maybe he needs to listen to other voices now because he's had his eye taken off the ball by other things going on his life." said the Rovers manager.
Dunn is currently injured and after this revelation, he would have to show a change of attitude or face a transfer away from the club he supported as a boy.

3rd January 03 - Souness duffs rumour

Graeme Souness has vowed to keep Damien Duff at Rovers and claimed that the Republic of Ireland international isn't going anywhere.
Man Utd have been linked with a £12m transfer for Duff in various media sources today but Rovers insists in that they haven't received a bid for him.

2nd January 03 - Jay gets praised

Rovers academy starlet Jay McEvely was praised by Graeme Souness after a superb display against Boro.
Souness said: "He's 17 and he's such a wonderful specimen, a proper athlete and that's going to stand him in good stead."

22nd December 02 - Flitty has last laugh

Rovers captain Garry Flitcroft had the last laugh today after striking the winning goal against Manchester United.
The former Man. City player said: "In the car park before the game I got the old 'City Reject' chants - so it was nice to put one over on them."

22nd December 02 - Souness hails strike duo

Graeme Souness paid tribute to Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke after the duo worked their socks off in Rovers 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
The Rovers manager felt that the duo's performance against their old club showed that they were getting back to their very best.

22nd December 02 - Sukur injured

Hakan Sukur crushed his tibia in a freak training ground incident and will be out for 8 weeks.
"It's an absolute nightmare for him. He's worked hard for 3 weeks to get fit for this match, it's such a tragedy." said Souness.

11th December 02 - I Kan score

Rovers new striker Hakan Sukur says that he's looking forward to scoring goals for Rovers in the Premier League.
The Turkish striker said: "I will soon be ready to show the real Hakan Sukur to those that thought he was finished."

4th December 02 - Sukur signs

Turkish striker Hakan Sukur finally signs on a free transfer.
Sukur signed a deal until the end of the season with an option of another year.

4th December 02 - Gillespie fined

Keith Gillespie has been fined by the club for an alleged bust-up with coach Alan Murray.
Gillespie was fined a maximum 2 weeks wages and will now find it even tougher to claim a place in the starting line-up.

3rd December 02 - Rovers sweep awards

Graeme Souness and Brad Friedel scooped awards at the BBC Northwest Awards.
Souness claimed the Manager of the year and Friedel lifted the Footballer of the Year.

20th November 02 - Cole vows to score

Andy Cole has vowed to start scoring again after having a lean spell this season.
Cole has only scored 2 goals in 14 appearances this season and wants to regain the form that he had last season.
"I feel that I'm coming back to my best now and I just need a run of games" he said.

20th November 02 - Duo boost

Garry Flitcroft and Martin Taylor are set to declare themselves fit for Sunday.
Captain Flitcroft is recovering from an ankle injury and his return will give Souness a timely boost with Tugay serving a one-match suspension.
Tiny Taylor has missed the last few games after straining his hamstring against Southampton and will be looking to get back in the defence line.

18th November 02 - Friedel operated

Brad Friedel is now recovering after having his knee surgery last night.
A spokesman from the club said that his operation was a success and that he could be back within three weeks.

5th November 02 - Rovers set for dizzy talks

Keith Gillespie is set to begin negotiations with Rovers over a new contract this Christmas.
The 27-year-old is in his final year of his contract and could leave for nothing at the end of the season, however he has admitted that he's keen on staying at Ewood Park.
Gillespie joined Rovers from Newcastle in December 98 and has been been an integral part of the Rovers squad since.

1st November 02 - Berg injured

Henning Berg injured his achilles on Wednesday, is facing a spell on the sidelines for next few weeks.
Berg who has played well in defence in the absence of Craig Short injured his achilles during a training session on Wednesday in preparation for the Celtic match.

1st November 02 - Hignett moves

Out of favour midfielder Craig Hignett has moved to Coventry on a 3-month loan.
Hignett 32, has found it hard to break into the first team after the signings of Tugay and Thompson, goes straight into the Coventry squad this weekend.

28th October 02 - Friedel worry

Graeme Souness revealed on Saturday that Brad Friedel has been carrying a knee cartilage problem for a while now and will be needing surgery soon.
Brad had a magnificent match against Arsenal and was the reason why Blackburn came home with all three points. What made his contribution even more spectacular was the fact that during warm-up his knee cartilage popped out and the physio had to pop it back again before going out to keep Rovers in the game.
Rovers will now monitor his knee closely and decide on operating it when the injury worsens.

22nd October 02 - Taylor deal

Rovers defender Martin 'Tiny' Taylor signed a new improved 4-year contract today.
The 22-year-old defender believes that the club is going places after the signings of Andrew Cole, Dwight Yorke and keeping Damien Duff in the club.
He said: "Blackburn is a club going places and I am very happy to be getting the opportunity to secure a long-term future."
This deal comes 3 days after Taylor scored two goals in the victory over Newcastle.

22nd October 02 - Cole returns to training

Andrew Cole has given Graeme Souness a selection headache after returning to training this week.
The striker limped off at halftime against Spurs and missed the Newcastle game but is now fit to play against his former club Arsenal.

21st October 02 - Tugay set for new deal

Rovers midfielder Tugay is set to be offered a new one-year extension to his current deal, that expires at the end of this season.
Tugay is delighted over extending his deal and believes that Rovers can be a force in the Premier League.
The 32-year-old midfielder was signed on a two-year deal with the option of a further year from Rangers.
Tugay has also announced his plans to retire from the national team after Turkey's clash with England in April.

16th October 02 - Jansen is back

Matt Jansen played his first competitive match in five months, and capped it with a wonder goal, when he turned out for the reserves against Everton.
The 24-year-old striker has battled back after it had been said he would never play football again after suffering severe head injuries in a motorcycle accident this summer in Rome.
The goal helped Rovers secure their first point for the season after Neil Danns equalised in stoppage time to make it 2-2. Earlier Nick Chadwick had scored from the spot just before half time.
Then 5-minutes after the break Jansen struck a superb strike from 30 yards to level it before Everton took the lead again with David Carney's strike.
Jansen played for 70 minutes before being taken off as a precaution.

10th October 02 - Curtis wants to play

John Curtis revealed that he wants to play competitive matches and is desperate for a move.
"I don't mind going on-loan and getting some first team football in the First Division. Then perhaps the manager can see me there and give me another chance, if not I'll at least be in the shop window."
The former Manchester United player has been frozen out since losing his place to Lucas Neill last season.

10th October 02 - Duff: Dream come true

Damien Duff admits that Rovers draw against Celtic is a dream come true for the boyhood Celtic fan.
"When I heard the draw, I was over the moon. We were just out playing head tennis when a couple of the lads shouted it out and I thought they were winding me up." he said.
"It's a great draw and everyone is buzzing about it, but I'm desperate to go up there and beat them and get through to the next round."

9th October 02 - Battle of Britain in the UEFA cup

The pairing of Rovers against Celtic in the second round of the UEFA cup draw has been dubbed the battle of Britain in the media.
The first leg will be played at Celtic Park on 31st of October with the return leg at Ewood on November 14th. 
The tie sees a return for former Rovers striker Chris Sutton to Ewood Park and mark former Rangers boss Graeme Souness return to Celtic Park.
Rovers chief executive John Williams said: "It's an absolutely fantastic draw and it's going to be built up as the big British European game, it couldn't have been better."

9th October 02 - Souness thrilled with Thommo's call-up

Graeme Souness is thrilled with David Thompson's England call-up and backed him to make an impact. Thompson's display in recent matches proves the £1.5m signing was a bargain.
Thompson was brought in to the squad after West Ham's Trevor Sinclair dropped out with an injury.
"He was always going to get a chance to play in the national team, but maybe I'm a bit surprised it has come this soon."
"He's got a determination to win matches and he's not the biggest player in the world but he has got a fabulous enthusiasm for the game."

8th October 02 - Thompson gets England call

Blackburn midfielder David Thompson has been called up for England's Euro qualifiers with Slovakia and Macedonia. This call-up comes after Souness' shout for him to get picked after some fine displays in the Premiership and UEFA cup.
Thompson got the nod ahead of Leeds' Lee Bowyer and West Ham's Joe Cole.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson told the FA's website "David's been impressive over the last few weeks and I've seen him play on a couple of occasions. I now look forward to working with him for these two important games."

23rd September 02 - Thompson for England

Graeme Souness has tipped David Thompson for an England call-up after the former Liverpool player's latest impressive display. Thompson's display in recent matches proves the £1.5m signing was a bargain.
Thompson recently arrived at Ewood Park from Coventry and the 24-year-old starred again for Rovers in their 1-0 win over Leeds on Sunday.
"I've worked with him for just two and a half weeks now and he can punch his weight," said Souness.
"As far as I am concerned his best position is central midfield and that's where I see him in the future. He's also a great free-kick taker. I think he should be in the England team."

20th September 02 - An uphill battle - Neill

Lucas Neill said his team-mates will have to battle hard in the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie with CSKA Sofia.
After the 1-1 first leg draw at Ewood Park, he said: "They were there for the taking. We are lacking a cutting edge."
"I thought we were all below par, we have had injuries but the 11 players going out there have got to perform better than we did."
"We have a tough game to go to Sofia now and get a result."

6th September 02 - Dunn happy with life at Rovers

David Dunn feels being at a club the size of Blackburn has been in his favour rather than against him.
"If I was at a bigger club I might not get in the team and even then I wouldn't play week in week out because they have much bigger squads," he said.
"At Rovers if you perform you play, so it is in your own."
"With the likes of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole coming in, there is some real quality at the cub and I believe we are on the verge of exciting times."

5th September 02 - Dunn pays tribute to manager

Rovers midfielder David Dunn says his meteoric rise for England has been helped by Rovers boss Graeme Souness.
"I owe a lot to Graeme Souness in being a big influence on me since he came to the club," said Dunn.
"He always wants me to keep improving but the main thing is he picked me. He has given me the experience to so that I can go out there and perform."
"I know this is a massive step up, but I believe in my own ability. I've confidence in that," he said.

3rd September 02 - Dunn gets England call-up

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has added midfielder David Dunn to his squad to face Portugal at Villa Park on Saturday.
The former England Under-21 captain was left out of Eriksson's original 20-man party when it was named on Monday. But after Dyer pulling out and fitness worries over Steven Gerrard, Sven decided to call-up David Dunn.
Assistant manager Tony Parkes said "I phoned David straight away, naturally we are all delighted for him."

2nd September 02 - Rovers slash admission prices

Rovers have cut the ticket prices to £10 for their UEFA Cup first-leg clash with CSKA Sofia at Ewood Park on September 19.
"The idea is to encourage as many fans into the ground as possible" said Chief executive John Williams.
"It is a big important game and we need a strong, winning performance."
CSKA should have hosted the first leg encounter but the number of European games in the Bulgarian capital on that night saw Rovers accept a switch.

29th August 02 - Souness hails Thompson arrival

Graeme Souness believes the arrival of Coventry midfielder David Thompson has significantly boosted his squad's options.
"He's a wide player but he's not a winger and it can be a worry sometimes to play two wingers away from home," he said.
"David has learned the proper way to play football from his time at Liverpool and will be a real asset."

29th August 02 - Duff & Thompson signs

Star winger Damien Duff has signed a new four-year contract with Blackburn Rovers, ending weeks of negotiations and speculations.
Rovers have also signed Coventry midfielder David Thompson on a four-year deal for an initial £1.5m, which could rise to £2.5m.
Chief executive John Williams said: "Damien made it clear he wanted to stay and both sides are delighted with the outcome of the negotiations."
"David is a player Souness identified some time ago and we are very pleased to have him on board," he said. David Thompson will be eligible for Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough.

29th August 02 - Grabbi delight

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness was delighted for Italian striker Corrado Grabbi after he scored the late equaliser in the Liverpool match.
"When he came last year he was stepping into a new environment and he couldn't get his head around it," Souness said.
"He's had a look at his footballing life and come back with a great determination to contribute this year."
"I believe in his ability and am sure if his attitude is right he will contribute like he did in this game."

28th August 02 - Rovers agree fee for Thompson

Blackburn have agreed an undisclosed fee with Coventry for David Thompson.
The midfielder is in Lancashire today to discuss personal terms after the Sky Blues finalised details with Rovers on Tuesday evening.
Thompson, who joined Coventry from Liverpool for £3m in August 2000, was the Sky Blues' player of the season last year, notching 13 goals.
He has been linked with a move away from Highfield Road all summer and was also chased by Villa and Everton.

28th August 02 - Duff set to sign tonight

Rovers starlet Damien Duff is set to sign a new long-term contract by the end of Wednesday night.
Souness said he expected the deal to be completed either before or after the match with Liverpool at Ewood Park.
Duff still has two years to run on his current deal but Rovers moved to secure his future when he was linked with several clubs after the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Rovers are set to recoup the fee paid for Turkish defender Hakan Unsal as he is returning to Turkish side Galatasaray.

20th August 02 - Jansen on recovering route

Rovers striker Matt Jansen has taken the next step on the road to recovery after his motor accident.
Jansen was injured after falling off his motorbike while on holiday in Rome.
But, medical staff say they're delighted with his overall progress, and have now given him permission to make a full return to training.
However, Jansen, who has been sidelined throughout pre-season training, is still not allowed to head the ball.

20th August 02 - Livingston interested in Scottish duo

Livingston manager Jim Leishman said he is keen on Rovers duo Burton O'Brien and David McNamee.
The former St Mirren youngsters moved to Ewood Park in 1999, but neither player has made a single first team start.
The Livi boss told the Scottish Sun: "The players had a look round the place. We had a chat and they are keen to come here."
"It all depends upon a suitable agreement being reached."

19th August 02 - Duff set to sign new contract

Graeme Souness insists that Republic of Ireland star Damien Duff is set to sign a new contract and is not about to leave Ewood Park.
"We are getting very close to an agreement with Damien. He wants to get it sorted out," Souness said.
"We've had inquiries from Liverpool and Manchester United since the end of the season, but not one offer."
"My game has improved no end in the past year, so I'm definitely going to stay on and try and improve," said Duff.
Duff said he would sign as soon as he returned from international duty.

14th August 02 - Winger facing ban

Keith Gillespie has been handed a three match ban for his red card in a friendly against FC Nuremburg. Gillespie was dismissed for violent conduct during the Rovers pre-season match.
The suspension takes effect from August 22 and means Gillespie will miss the matches against Birmingham, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.
Earlier this week Gillespie was called up by Northern Ireland for their friendly with Cyprus on August 21.