Hot issues at law talk

MARTIN Goodman, the head of finance at Blackburn Rovers, represented the club at a recent sports law seminar organised by Forbes Solicitors which addressed a number of hot issues currently affecting the game.

Martin Budworth, a leading barrister from Merchant Chambers in Manchester, gave a talk on football merchandising in the wake of a recent court case involving Arsenal FC.

And Kevin James, head of employment law at Forbes in Blackburn, then tackled the thorny issue of player contracts following recent legislation passed by FIFA.

Representatives from fellow North West clubs such as Manchester City, Blackpool and Burnley also attended the event which was staged at Northcote Manor.

And there are plans for a similar get-together at some point in the future.

Dine in style

ROVERS striker Matt Jansen was spotted dining out at the sushi bar in the new Selfridges store in Manchester city centre last Sunday.

The swanky new outlet opened for the first time last weekend and Matt was among a number of celebs, which included TV presenter and media mogul Tony Wilson, who decided to give it the once over.

Thankfully, Matt is now on the mend following his motorbike accident in the summer and he has set his sights on a first team return some time later next month.

Bookies choice

MANCHESTER City hot-shot Nicolas Anelka is the favourite with the bookies to score the opening goal in tomorrow's clash between Rovers and the Blues at Maine Road.

Anelka is quoted as a 4-1 shot to break the deadlock with Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke priced at 11/2 according to Corals.

City are 10/11 to win while you can get 9/4 on Rovers and 12/5 on a draw.

United change

ROVERS big Premiership clash with Manchester United, originally scheduled for Saturday December 21, has been put back a day.

The Ewood Park match - which ended in a 2-2 draw last season after David Beckham's late equaliser - will now take place on Sunday, December 22 with a 2pm kick off.

Reserve action

ROVERS reserves are back in action on Tuesday night when Middlesbrough are the visitors to Morecambe's Christie Park.

Alan Murray's men are currently propping up the FA Barclaycard Reserve League (North) after losing their opening two games against Leeds United and Newcastle.