Blackburn Rovers F.C.

A meeting held by public school boys in 1875 founded the Rovers club and their blue and white halved shirts. They were formally named 'Blackburn Grammer School OB'. The most famous of the boys was John Lewis who later became a leading referee, founder member of the Lancashire FA and vice president of the England FA. One of the more unusual kits the club wore was formal evening dress shirts versus Sheff Weds in the 1890 FA Cup Final.

Neither club had come with away shirts, and both played in blue and white halved shirts. They were a founder member of the football league in 1888. They won the league twice and FA Cup six times before 1930. The most league appearances by a Blackburn player was Derek Fazackerley, with 596 between 1970-86. The good times were introduced back in Blackburn when Jack Walker bought the club. He has a fortune of 400 million pounds, owned a factory in the town and made it his business to bring the glory days back. He started off by bringing Kenny Dalglish in as manager.

They won promotion to the premier league in their first season. The first year back in the big time they finished in the top half and managed a semi final finish in the league cup against Sheff Wed. They lost the first leg home game 1-4. Jack Walker had opened his cheque book continually however, they surprisingly managed to persuade Alan Shearer to join the club instead of Man Utd. In the 1993-1994 season they become one of only four clubs to win the Premier League.

The final game of the season was a party atmosphere at Ansfield, with the liverpudians celebrating the win nearly as much as the rovers fans. Man Utd had failed to win at West Ham and the trophy went back to Ewood Park. They unveiled the trophy a week later to a packed stadium with 40,000 fans crowded in. The only downside for Mr Walker was life as a tax exile in Jersey, this meant he could not watch every game live.

He did however leave the club in a strong position, only one season since 1993 have Blackburn spent life outside of the top flight.