TROUBLED Rovers captain Garry Flitcroft walked onto the Ewood Park pitch to a standing ovation from 28,000 fans last night.
And after the game against Southampton, which Blackburn won 2-0, married women gave words of support to the sex scandal skipper.
He was dropped to the bench by manager Graeme Souness, but Rovers supporters chanted "There's only one Garry Flitcroft" before the game and as he warmed up.
And the biggest cheer of the night after celebrations of Rovers' goals, was when he replaced injured David Dunn early in the second half.
The message to Flitcroft was clear from fans after his first home appearance since the revelations.
Julie Taylor, 32, of Wimberley Street, Blackburn, married for five years, said: "His behaviour has been disgraceful but it is his private life and I will be happy if he performs on the pitch. But if it was my husband I would string him up."
Julie Hindle, 43, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, a housewife married for 17 years, said: "I'm not proud of him but it's his private life and we all want Rovers to do well and stay up. I didn't think he would have been as criticised if he had not gone to court."
Chris Finney, 50, of Ramsgreave Drive, Blackburn, a teacher who has been married for 27 years, said: "I think what he gets up to in his own time is his own business.
"I feel sorry for his wife and clearly the women should never have believed he wasn't married. My main concern is the football and I'm not interest in their private lives."
Simon McNamara, 17, of Bedford Close, Oswaldtwistle, a security engineer, said: "He has been a great servant to the club and I hope this doesn't ruin his career. I think he will get stick at away games but we'll support him because we don't care about his private life.
"He has been treated harshly and has not done anything other people don't do."
Rick O'Doherty, 15, of Dudley Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, a student, said: "What he does off the pitch shouldn't affect his game and a lot of people do what he has done and nobody takes any notice.
"He has been a good captain for us and that is all that matters."
Ryan O'Doherty, 22, of Dudley Avenue, who works at Corus in Blackburn, said: "I'm not concerned what he has done in his family life, and to many fans he is captain marvel. Tonight, I think Souness has decided to give him a breather, but he will be back."
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