Blackburn Rovers are giving fans the chance to play at Ewood Park alongside club legends and support the club’s official charity.

‘Football Aid in the Community’ is being hosted specifically for supporters and those who want to experience playing at the home of Rovers.

The match will take place on Friday, May 3, and by entering and playing in the game, contributions will support the club’s official charity, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT). 

Players will get the chance to wear the famous Blackburn Rovers’ blue and white halves, share a dressing room, walk down the Ewood tunnel and play under the stadium floodlights.

Former Rovers’ players will also take part on the day.

In the past, former players such as Yakubu, Danny Graham, Matt Jansen, Howard Gayle and 1994/95 Premier League winner Colin Hendry have all played in Football Aid in the Community.

The two 11-a-side teams, which will be made up of a mixture of fans and former players, will be managed and coached by Rovers’ legends. 

Chief executive of BRCT, Gary Robinson, said: “We are thrilled to be able to announce Football Aid in the Community is returning to Ewood Park and we hope Blackburn Rovers fans get right behind this exciting match.

“We raised more than £20,000 in 2022, the last time we did Football Aid in the Community, and we hope we will receive similar support this year to help our ongoing programmes and projects, such as Remember the Rovers – which help tackle dementia and social isolation”. 

“Alongside bidding for a place to play in either of the two teams, we have a number of sponsorship opportunities available including front of shirt sponsor, warm up t-shirt, team sheet sponsor and match sponsor.

“Tickets and hospitality packages will also be available to watch the game to support your friends and family participating in the game, or if you just want to come along and enjoy what will be a fantastic evening at Ewood Park.”

Opening bids for a place in the starting XI begin at £149. For a place on the substitute’s bench, bids will start from £99. 

All participants must be a least 18-years-old on Friday, May 3.

Bidding will close on Tuesday, March 19, at 8pm for starting ‘home team’ places.

For ‘away team’ starting places, bidding will open on Wednesday, March 20, from 8pm and close 10 days later on. Substitute places will be released early April. 

Supporters who want to bid for their place in the team can do so here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/brfctrust

You can find out more about the event and sponsorship opportunities by contacting Martin Winters at faitc@brfctrust.co.uk or telephone 01254 508256.