Friday, 28 October 2011
Blue & White Time Machine: One from the archives...
Ahead of this weekend's trip to Carrow Road, here's an article from the archives from 2004 - originally written as a weekly columnist for the now defunct www.roversactive.co.uk
We used to score seven...
by Craig R. Haydock, 3rd November, 2004
by Craig R. Haydock, 3rd November, 2004
Cast your mind back to Saturday, 3rd October 1992. Its days like these that the tabloid headlines have a tendency to write themselves. When Rovers thrashed seven goals past a hapless Norwich City it was more than a ‘lucky’ number, it was more than ‘magnificent’ and the Ewood faithful was in more than ’seventh heaven’.
I strutted with pride the whole of the following week at school. You’d have thought that I’d managed an under the table peak up Dayna Harrison’s skirt in double Geography or finally discovered my first pubic hair. 7up had become my latest break-time tipple and I became the scourge of my next-door neighbour’s garden in a vain attempt to re-create Alan Shearer’s glorious chip over a startled Bryan Gunn.
I’m a tad large for a back-garden slog in the mud these days, but last Sunday’s hangover viewing took in a dusted down copy of Rovers’ 92/93 Season Review, one word: bloody marvellous (okay, two). My mouth literally watered as I basked in the glory of better days, by the time the Norwich demolition came onto the screen my eyes were already aglow with the feast of football unfolding before me.
Scoring seven goals in football is the ultimate definition of a complete and utter rout and watching your team score seven goals can only be described as pure unbridled joy, watching them concede seven goals? I wouldn’t know, touch wood.
Norwich was the first, since then Rovers fans have enjoyed similar routs against Nottingham Forest 7-0 (95/96), Sheffield Wednesday 7-2 (97/98) and West Ham 7-1 (01/02). More acute finishing and our not-so-friendly neighbours from the other side of Accrington may have suffered similar humiliation (00/01) and the ’suicide squad’ may have had a more realistic meaning, although five against our bitter rivals did indeed feel like ten.
Incidentally, Rovers nearly managed it on my debut appearance at Ewood Park in 1986. Six goals against Sunderland and four from a certain legendary Number 10 was ample enough to make me fall in love with Blackburn Rovers and Simon Garner forever. We’ve managed six a few times since as well, but six just isn’t seven, is it?
The win over Norwich sent us to the top of the Premier League, replacing the Canaries as a result. This weekend we’ll be hoping to do likewise - although nineteenth spot and above is the aim of the day, how the times have changed.
Was it really that long ago when Roy Wegerle fell on his arse before slotting home and Gordon Cowans (god bless him) curled a delightful free-kick in off the post? Alan Shearer twice, another from Wegerle and token gestures from Ripley and Sherwood completed the scoring that day. One look at the Norwich back four and the appearance of a beleaguered Chris Sutton and time tells it’s own story. Twelve years is a long time in football, evidently so.
A point against Liverpool last Saturday was satisfying enough for a louder than usual home following, who had braced themselves for the worse. After the game we were talking ’sevens’ again, but it was the ‘Number 7′ not seven goals that had captivated the Blackburn End with a series of dazzling runs and potent play. While Brett Emerton was busy tormenting the opposition, doubting Thomas’s everywhere were hanging their heads in shame.
I’m a fully signed up member of the Brett Emerton appreciation society, I was delighted when we signed him from under the noses of a host of top clubs for the paltry sum of 2.2 million, ecstatic when he notched on his debut with a 20 yarder and well, okay, he’s not been brilliant since but the talent is there, believe. With quality players around him, Emerton, not unlike Barry Ferguson, has the promise to excel.
That quality will be needed in East Anglia if Rovers are to overcome their away-day blues and not suffer the indignity of becoming Norwich’s first Premiership scalp of the season.
The last time the two sides met, Mark Hughes was sent off on New Years Day 2001, with Marcus Bent securing a plucky point. The last time Rovers played at Carrow Road in the top flight we were humbled 2-1 en route to the championship, while the Canaries would go on to be relegated. A prediction for Saturday? ‘One nil to the Millionaires.’ Nostalgia is a wonderful thing.
(Footnote: The game would end Norwich City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers, Paul Dickov earning ten-man Rovers a point, after Jay Bothroyd had been sent-off for kicking Mattias Jonson)
I strutted with pride the whole of the following week at school. You’d have thought that I’d managed an under the table peak up Dayna Harrison’s skirt in double Geography or finally discovered my first pubic hair. 7up had become my latest break-time tipple and I became the scourge of my next-door neighbour’s garden in a vain attempt to re-create Alan Shearer’s glorious chip over a startled Bryan Gunn.
I’m a tad large for a back-garden slog in the mud these days, but last Sunday’s hangover viewing took in a dusted down copy of Rovers’ 92/93 Season Review, one word: bloody marvellous (okay, two). My mouth literally watered as I basked in the glory of better days, by the time the Norwich demolition came onto the screen my eyes were already aglow with the feast of football unfolding before me.
Scoring seven goals in football is the ultimate definition of a complete and utter rout and watching your team score seven goals can only be described as pure unbridled joy, watching them concede seven goals? I wouldn’t know, touch wood.
Norwich was the first, since then Rovers fans have enjoyed similar routs against Nottingham Forest 7-0 (95/96), Sheffield Wednesday 7-2 (97/98) and West Ham 7-1 (01/02). More acute finishing and our not-so-friendly neighbours from the other side of Accrington may have suffered similar humiliation (00/01) and the ’suicide squad’ may have had a more realistic meaning, although five against our bitter rivals did indeed feel like ten.
Incidentally, Rovers nearly managed it on my debut appearance at Ewood Park in 1986. Six goals against Sunderland and four from a certain legendary Number 10 was ample enough to make me fall in love with Blackburn Rovers and Simon Garner forever. We’ve managed six a few times since as well, but six just isn’t seven, is it?
The win over Norwich sent us to the top of the Premier League, replacing the Canaries as a result. This weekend we’ll be hoping to do likewise - although nineteenth spot and above is the aim of the day, how the times have changed.
Was it really that long ago when Roy Wegerle fell on his arse before slotting home and Gordon Cowans (god bless him) curled a delightful free-kick in off the post? Alan Shearer twice, another from Wegerle and token gestures from Ripley and Sherwood completed the scoring that day. One look at the Norwich back four and the appearance of a beleaguered Chris Sutton and time tells it’s own story. Twelve years is a long time in football, evidently so.
A point against Liverpool last Saturday was satisfying enough for a louder than usual home following, who had braced themselves for the worse. After the game we were talking ’sevens’ again, but it was the ‘Number 7′ not seven goals that had captivated the Blackburn End with a series of dazzling runs and potent play. While Brett Emerton was busy tormenting the opposition, doubting Thomas’s everywhere were hanging their heads in shame.
I’m a fully signed up member of the Brett Emerton appreciation society, I was delighted when we signed him from under the noses of a host of top clubs for the paltry sum of 2.2 million, ecstatic when he notched on his debut with a 20 yarder and well, okay, he’s not been brilliant since but the talent is there, believe. With quality players around him, Emerton, not unlike Barry Ferguson, has the promise to excel.
That quality will be needed in East Anglia if Rovers are to overcome their away-day blues and not suffer the indignity of becoming Norwich’s first Premiership scalp of the season.
The last time the two sides met, Mark Hughes was sent off on New Years Day 2001, with Marcus Bent securing a plucky point. The last time Rovers played at Carrow Road in the top flight we were humbled 2-1 en route to the championship, while the Canaries would go on to be relegated. A prediction for Saturday? ‘One nil to the Millionaires.’ Nostalgia is a wonderful thing.
(Footnote: The game would end Norwich City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers, Paul Dickov earning ten-man Rovers a point, after Jay Bothroyd had been sent-off for kicking Mattias Jonson)
Sad Ken: Putting the glamour into gambling
“If you can make one heap of all your winnings,
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss”
It’s been hard week’s graft fer old Ken lads – med even sweeter for’t Rovers winnin’ ferra bloody change an’ nettin’ me fifty big ones fer rately predictin’ Liverpool, Chelsea, City an’t Rovers to get through’t ‘Weak as Piss Lager Cup’.
Tight-mouth Larry wun’t happy mind, handin’ over’t fifty sheets. He gave me’t look again, same one he gev us when he found out I’d been fettlin’ his lass.
I promptly went up tut Asda and spanked lot on three crates of Mackeson’s and two bottles of ski. Her indoors saw her arse mind, but bloody Gas bill can wait.
Anyways, enough prattlin’. Feelin’ lucky?
Remember Sad Ken’s motto: It’s bollock-deep or nowt!
Ken’s crystal bollock is predictin’t following this week:
Tight-mouth Larry wun’t happy mind, handin’ over’t fifty sheets. He gave me’t look again, same one he gev us when he found out I’d been fettlin’ his lass.
I promptly went up tut Asda and spanked lot on three crates of Mackeson’s and two bottles of ski. Her indoors saw her arse mind, but bloody Gas bill can wait.
Anyways, enough prattlin’. Feelin’ lucky?
Remember Sad Ken’s motto: It’s bollock-deep or nowt!
Ken’s crystal bollock is predictin’t following this week:
CHEEKY COUPON PICKS
1) BIRMINGHAM Vs Brighton - EVNS
Birmingham have found their feet at last, taking time out from conquering Europe and remembering that league football is their bread and butter. They are second in the form table (17 points from their last 8 games), Brighton on the other hand, are second bottom (6 points from their last 8). Poyet’s charges outplayed West Ham in midweek, but still got bugger all for their efforts. Expect Birmingham’s experience and home advantage to shine through.
2) Hartlepool Vs CHARLTON - 6/5
Hartlepool's great early season form has tailed off (losing 4 of their last 5 - 3 out of 3 home defeats). Charlton's recent form has been impressive, winning their last 2 and scoring 6 in the process, and their away record is the best in the division: P8 W6 D1 L1. Victoria Park has claimed many a victim, but Charlton are a good bet to upset the monkey hangers.
3) Wycombe Vs SHEFF WED - 6/5
Wycombe have lost their last 2, and 4 of their last 6. They sit second from bottom having recorded only 1 victory from their 7 home games. Sheffield Wednesday are third in the league courtesy of an impeccable home record (P7 W7). Their away form has been patchy and this is an instinctive bet, but I'll back them to have too much for the Chairboys.
4) Aldershot Vs CREWE - 14/5
I wouldn't usually touch Crewe Alex with yours; bet for and against them at your peril. However, Aldershot's recent league form has been poor, losing 5 out of their last 6. They ran themselves into the ground against Man Utd in midweek, which could be a factor. Crewe have won 3 out of their last 4 away in the league and look overpriced at almost 3/1 against a side sitting 3 places below them in the division.
NB/ Treble it to death if you haven’t got the bollocks.
SOCCER SATURDAY SEVEN UP – Feeling lucky?
SUNDERLAND Vs. Aston Villa (Home win)
SWANSEA Vs. BOLTON (Draw)
WEST HAM Vs. Leicester (Home win)
BIRMINGHAM Vs. Brighton (Home win)
PRESTON Vs. Bournemouth (Home win)
SHEFF UTD Vs. Exeter (Home win)
CHELTENHAM Vs. Plymouth (Home win)
SEVEN-FOLD ACCUMULATOR: 124/1 at Sky Bet
CHEEKY NAG: Time for Rupert (Charlie Hall Chase @ Wetherby / Saturday 15:20) 11/4.
Rate, that’ll do thee. A pint o' Badger's Arse is calling. Best cask in't tarn.
All the best,
Sad Ken
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Rovers striking legends...
The background image for this very blog (above), is an original graphic artwork created by your very own author.
Featuring Blackburn Rovers striking legends throughout the Premiership years (which will explain the notable absences of Simon Garner and David Speedie) - this graphic is available to purchase as a canvas or art print, making an impressive and unique gift.
If you would like to know more, please email: craigyboy0@hotmail.com
Artwork can be adjusted and resized to suit a variety of sizes and picture frames.
Alternatively, if you would like me to create a similar graphic, with players of your own choosing, or for any other club (See Man Utd below), then email me and I will happily discuss your requirements further.
Pax vobiscum
Craig
From three-zero to hero...
It’s the 18th October, 2009; derby-day in East Lancashire – the first time Blackburn and Burnley have met in the top-flight for 43 years. Rovers supporters are gathered in Uncle Jacks pub, mulling over a pint and a bacon sandwich. Nervous, confident, excited – it’s a mixed bag. Amongst them sits an unfamiliar face, blending in with his fellow supporters, holding the same hopes and fears, chatting casually amongst friends and family, an ordinary young lad, a fan – one of the boys.
Three years previously, that same unfamiliar face was clutching the match-ball at Bury’s Gigg Lane, single-handedly picking off high-flying FC United of the North West Counties League, with all three of Atherton Colleries’ goals. It was a key-moment in a fledgling, yet frustrated football career, unperturbed by schoolboy releases by his hometown team and Manchester United.
He could have been the bloke in the pub harking back to the rose-tinted memories of his misspent youth, the one who ‘could have made it’, embellishing tales of how he was ‘once on the books’; he could also be forgiven for casting envious eyes on his old schoolmates’ pay-packets, seduced to the local builder’s yard or an apprenticeship at the University of Life.
Last Saturday night that same unfamiliar face was illuminated by the floodlights at Anfield, beamed around the world in glorious Technicolor canary yellow, delivering a delicious assist for Norwich City’s equaliser, almost creating a famous winner - a constant thorn in Liverpool’s side. From Gigg Lane to Wembley, Anthony Pilkington has always been a man for the big occasion. It’s a face that’s unfamiliar no more.
It’s a journey of ‘Roy of the Rovers’ proportions, real comic-book stuff - a defiant determination and will to succeed - an inspiration to all. Thrown onto football’s scrapheap, Pilkington’s hat-trick against FC United would bring him to the attention of Stockport County manager, Jim Gannon – an aspiring manager with one eye on football’s car-boot sale.
Pilkington would be an instant hit at Edgeley Park, making the seamless transition to league-football with an ease and humility that has allowed him to progress through the divisions relatively unnoticed. There isn’t a Bentley parked on his driveway or a Rolex on his wrist – everything Pilkington does on a football pitch has the mark of a kid that simply loves playing football, albeit a very good one.
At just nineteen, Anthony had achieved the dream of scoring at Wembley – his man-of-the-match display earning Stockport promotion to League One. A move to Huddersfield Town would follow and while a broken-leg would eventually rob the forward of another shot at promotion, his performances had pricked the ears of the Premier League.
He could have been the bloke in the pub harking back to the rose-tinted memories of his misspent youth, the one who ‘could have made it’, embellishing tales of how he was ‘once on the books’; he could also be forgiven for casting envious eyes on his old schoolmates’ pay-packets, seduced to the local builder’s yard or an apprenticeship at the University of Life.
Last Saturday night that same unfamiliar face was illuminated by the floodlights at Anfield, beamed around the world in glorious Technicolor canary yellow, delivering a delicious assist for Norwich City’s equaliser, almost creating a famous winner - a constant thorn in Liverpool’s side. From Gigg Lane to Wembley, Anthony Pilkington has always been a man for the big occasion. It’s a face that’s unfamiliar no more.
It’s a journey of ‘Roy of the Rovers’ proportions, real comic-book stuff - a defiant determination and will to succeed - an inspiration to all. Thrown onto football’s scrapheap, Pilkington’s hat-trick against FC United would bring him to the attention of Stockport County manager, Jim Gannon – an aspiring manager with one eye on football’s car-boot sale.
Pilkington would be an instant hit at Edgeley Park, making the seamless transition to league-football with an ease and humility that has allowed him to progress through the divisions relatively unnoticed. There isn’t a Bentley parked on his driveway or a Rolex on his wrist – everything Pilkington does on a football pitch has the mark of a kid that simply loves playing football, albeit a very good one.
At just nineteen, Anthony had achieved the dream of scoring at Wembley – his man-of-the-match display earning Stockport promotion to League One. A move to Huddersfield Town would follow and while a broken-leg would eventually rob the forward of another shot at promotion, his performances had pricked the ears of the Premier League.
Norwich manager, Paul Lambert, had no hesitation in making Pilkington a key summer-signing for £2m, bucking the trend of signing establishing top-flight players and cheap imports. It’s a policy that is serving Norwich well – they currently sit 8th in the Premier League and Pilkington is their top-scorer, chipping in with three goals from his wide-position.
Lambert’s young side are deservedly enjoying the same plaudits as Blackpool last season, although they appear to possess a resilience and depth that suggests that they could avoid the predictable post-autumn freefall that habitually encloses newly-promoted teams.
This weekend, they prepare to face the team that is propping up the rest of the table, welcoming Blackburn Rovers to Carrow Road. The added significance is that Pilkington is set to face one of several clubs that discarded him as a teenager, the very team that his friends and family fanatically support. There is a very real possibility that he could be set to heap more misery on the town of his birth, the team he supported as a boy. When it comes to crossing that white-line, there will no room for such sentiment. As Rovers continue to struggle amidst protests and supporter unrest, they could well do to have one of their own playing for them, and not against.
Lambert’s young side are deservedly enjoying the same plaudits as Blackpool last season, although they appear to possess a resilience and depth that suggests that they could avoid the predictable post-autumn freefall that habitually encloses newly-promoted teams.
This weekend, they prepare to face the team that is propping up the rest of the table, welcoming Blackburn Rovers to Carrow Road. The added significance is that Pilkington is set to face one of several clubs that discarded him as a teenager, the very team that his friends and family fanatically support. There is a very real possibility that he could be set to heap more misery on the town of his birth, the team he supported as a boy. When it comes to crossing that white-line, there will no room for such sentiment. As Rovers continue to struggle amidst protests and supporter unrest, they could well do to have one of their own playing for them, and not against.
Anthony Pilkington
Age: 23
Born: Blackburn
Position: Winger / Striker
Senior Career:
2006: Atherton Colleries (Apps 35; Gls 19)
2006-09: Stockport County (Apps 80; Gls 17)
2009-11: Huddersfield Town (Apps 92; Gls 19)
2011-: Norwich City (Apps 8; Gls 3)
Age: 23
Born: Blackburn
Position: Winger / Striker
Senior Career:
2006: Atherton Colleries (Apps 35; Gls 19)
2006-09: Stockport County (Apps 80; Gls 17)
2009-11: Huddersfield Town (Apps 92; Gls 19)
2011-: Norwich City (Apps 8; Gls 3)
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