GARRY Flitcroft was born in Bolton on November 6, 1972, one of three brothers.

He first signed for Rovers on March 21, 1996, from Manchester City after club manager Ray Harford agreed to pay a £3 million fee. But his Blackburn debut was shrouded in controversy when he was sent off after just three minutes in a game against Everton at Ewood.

Since then, however, he has made a total of 168 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals and becoming a hugely popular figure with fans and his team-mates.

Last season current boss Graeme Souness appointed him team captain which turned out to be an inspired move as he led the club to promotion from the First Division.

This season in the Premiership, he has continued to have a major influence on the pitch, making 25 appearances in the league as Rovers battle against relegation.

But he missed out on an appearance in the Worthington Cup final through suspension after he saw red for a reckless challenge on Trond Soltvedt during Rovers' semi-final victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Before his move to Ewood, Flitcroft first made his name at Maine Road after joining Manchester City in 1991 as a schoolboy after scouts spotted him playing for Bolton Boys team. He played for the club for the next 12 years and made a total of 134 appearances for the Blues' first team during a five year period between 1991 and 1996.

Flitcroft became the firm favourite of the Maine Road crowd as he assumed their mantle as the team's driving force. His links with German striker Uwe Rosler saved City's poor 1994-1995 season and kept them in the top flight.

Inevitably Flitcroft, by now virtually the first name on the team-sheet for the England under-21s and knocking on the door of the full honours which were sure to come, began to attract offers.

While City's supporters may have been resigned to losing their home-grown star, the manner of his departure caused fury.

With the club seemingly safe from relegation in March 1996, boss Alan Ball decided it was time to cash in on his biggest asset and sold him to Rovers. Although he has played for England at schoolboy and under-21 level, hopes of a full England cap were dented in October 1998 after Flitcroft injured his knee during a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in October, and had to sit out the rest of the season.

To make matters worse, Rovers were relegated and there was more managerial upheaval with the sacking of Brian Kidd, the club's second manager in as many seasons.

The injury flared up again three games into the following season during a 2-1 home defeat by Barnsley, sidelining the player for another six months. He returned to drive Rovers' ultimately unsuccessful attempt to go straight back into the top flight.

Now Rovers are back and Flitcroft is one of their longest-serving and most respected players as well as their regular captain.