Rovers' Match-Day Programmes - Miscellany

[Jilleen]

Interesting Player Details in Various Programmes:

Stephen Warnock has an artistic side and oil paints.

Ryan Nelsen’s wife is American (from Minnesota). He met her while playing in the MLS.

Rovers’ fans often sing “Let’s all do the Samba” to encourage Chris Samba.

Apparently, Rovers’ fans are called “Roverites.”

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Source: Rovers’ Programmes - Various

[Jilleen]

"Walkerfame"

"Local lads Matt Derbyshire and David Dunn are to be immortalised in stone at Ewood Park as part of the club's 'Walkerfame' initiative.

"The Rovers duo have joined supporters in buying inscribed personalised bricks that are being laid outside the Walkersteel Blackburn End stand.

"Matt's personalized message reads 'The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams'"

[FYI Derb's quote is attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, American stateswoman, First Lady (1884-1962)]

"Of his message, Matt said: 'As a life long Rover it is a dream come true to be part of the first team, I have to pinch myself sometimes to remind me that it is real. I'm proud that I now have a permanent place at Ewood, the next step for me is to establish myself in the starting eleven each game!"

"Teammate David chose to have 'When you are going through hell, keep going' inscribed on his brick.

[FYI Dunny's quote is attributed to Winston Churchill]

"'I've had a mixture of high and lows during my career,' admitted David. 'I wanted my brick to reflect that.

"'They say that home is where the heart is and I'm really enjoying being back at Ewood. If I wasn't playing football here I would be in stands watching so this is a real honour.'

[...]

"There was no bigger supporter of the club than Jack Walker so it is seen as most appropriate that his memorial will look over messages from fellow fans."

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FYI Here is the link in case any of you are considering buying one of these bricks (http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Walkerfame/0,,10303,00.html). I am currently contemplating it myself...

[Jilleen]

As of the Rovers' programme, dated Dec 01, 2007:

"Rovers have used fewer players in the Premier League than any other club this season, having only fielded 19. Those to have pulled on the famous blue-and-whate halves this term are: Friedel, Ooijer, Warnock, Samba, Tugay, Nelsen, Emerton, Savage, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Bentley, Gamst Pedersen, Khizanishvili, Reid, Mokoena, Rigters, Dunn, Derbyshire, and Roberts."

Source: Rovers V. Newcastle United, Dec 01, 2007, Programme

[Jilleen]

A bit of history...

"Former England striker Alan Shearer scored 112 goals in 132 Premier League games for Rovers between 1992 and 1996, before joining Newcastle for a world record ₤15 million."

Source: Rovers V. Newcastle United, Dec 01, 2007, Programme