AS ROVERS' whizz at the washing machine, it is Christine's responsibility to get the players and back room staff turned out clean and sparkling.

For several years, long-suffering Christine has cared for the troops, washing every day, several times a day sometimes, including weekends. With her own custom-built launderette at Brockhall, she is the "dynamo of the detergent". Her shirts are whiter than white and bluer than blue - unless, of course, they are red and black stripes.

"It's a great job, really," said Christine, who has lived in Old Langho for 27 years. "I enjoy working here; they are a grand set of lads. They give me lots of earache, but I try to give as good as I get.

"I have grown up boys of my own so I don't have any problems dealing with these 'big kids'. Sometimes, I have to threaten them - especially when they celebrate goals by sliding on their stomachs. They do that on purpose to wind me up - it's supposed to have been banned.

"I always think 'boys will be boys', but not if they had to wash it themselves.

"The banter is always good-hearted. I feel well-respected and I know they appreciate what I do."

Christine works alongside kit manager, Alan Whitehead, to make sure the Rovers' teams look the part on the field. They are ambassadors for the club in every sense, after all.

"That's right and I get a lot of satisfaction from the job," she said. "It's hard work and non-stop. Though it's not as bad as when we had the Academy down here.

"We were washing up to 100 kits a day. And when they trained twice a day it was a washerwoman's nightmare!"

Apart from the shirts, soap, shorts, suds and socks, Christine helps out around the Brockhall training complex as much as possible.

She says: "There is always something to do. For instance, I always try to help Simon in the kitchens at lunchtime. We get things ready for them all for after training. Then, after lunch, I help tidy up."

Rovers' manager Graeme Souness said: "Christine is a very popular member of staff who gives lots of 'stick' and everyone is frightened to take her on. When Christine shouts, we all listen!"

And Christine commented: "It's all go and all clearing up, but I like the variety. Everyone is very friendly - they are a great team to work with. I feel very proud when the team runs out looking smart."

With that, Christine whizzed off to seek more rough, as in muddy gear, to go with her tumble, as in dryer.

"You wash 'em, we'll dirty 'em... it was ever thus."