FORMER Blackburn striker Mike Newell thought Simon Garner was 'one of the best' . . . until he discovered that he smoked!

Newell, now boss of Second Division-bound Hartlepool United, is one of the latest players to confirm his appearance in Garner's testimonial match next month.

And the popular scouser is relishing the chance to renew acquaintances with his former strike partner and room-mate.

"Simon was a great lad, a nice down-to-earth sort, and a strike-partner who got goals," said Newell.

"In fact, he still holds the record for goal scoring at Blackburn.

"I liked him a lot - until I roomed with him and found that he smoked!

"He asked me if I minded and I told him okay if he opened the window.

"He was such a great lad so I told him it was not a problem."

The irony is that now he's quit playing, Garner has given up the fags, which should cheer up Newell no end.

Newell will be in the line-up with his other Championship-winning colleagues for the testimonial game at Ewood on Sunday, May 18, and he can't wait for the day.

The former England B striker recalls: "If I remember correctly, I teamed up with Simon up front in my first game for Rovers when I signed up in November, 1991. "David Speedie was suspended - just for a change! - so Simon and me were the frontmen."

Newell, who was Rovers' first £1 million signing, went on to play for the Ewood Park outfit until 1996, taking in the celebrated Championship victory in 1995 at Anfield. He recalls: "It was very emotional for me, since I started out my footballing career as a Liverpool FC Junior, even though I played for Everton before my move to Balckburn.

"I'd turned down a move to Ewood when Don Mackay was in charge but when Kenny Dalglish came in later on, I jumped at the chance.

"He was a hero of mine as a kid and you could see things were ready to roll.

"If anyone could get Rovers up into the top flight, it was Kenny."

Newell looks back fondly on those years as his 'most successful time as a player,' much of it being with fellow strike-partner Alan Shearer, who is still a big mate to this day.

"What a striker," said Newell. "Whenever you gave him the ball you expected him to score."

Now, Newell is looking forward to promotion in his first season in management . . . and the big day down at Ewood in May, of course, when he'll team up with his old mates against Graeme Souness's Worthington Cup winners.

He said: "We're just a wee bit older than them -- but who knows?"