GOOD luck messages were continuing to flood in for Blackburn Rovers today as they prepared for the Worthington Cup final against Spurs tomorrow.
Ewood Park has been besieged with messages of support, and among the well-wishers are schoolchildren, a senior clergyman, MPs and former world Superbike champ Carl Fogarty.
And, with just 24 hours to go till the big match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, there is only one sentence on the lips of all Rovers fans: Come on the lads!
Before the team set off, they were presented with a 6ft-high good luck card signed by staff and pupils at St Silas' Primary, Wensley Fold Primary, Meadowhead Juniors, St Bartholomew's and St Mary and Joseph's Primary.
St Silas headteacher John Duckworth said: "Let's hope the next card is a congratulations."
Pupils at Longshaw Juniors and St Antony's school showed their support by wearing their favourite football kit instead of school uniform.
Superbike ace Fogarty will be travelling to Cardiff today.
He said: "I am looking forward to it. It will be the first time I have been to see Rovers in a cup final like a lot of people and I am confident we will win.
"It's a great stadium with a great atmosphere. Let's hope they bring the trophy back."
It's Rovers' first major cup final for 42 years, and politicians have caught football fever.
Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "I shall be going with my family. I wish Rovers the best of luck on what is a great day for Blackburn."
Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I shall be going with my two sons to Cardiff.
"The last time Blackburn Rovers were in a major cup final was the year I was born, so I am pretty excited about this."
Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "This is not just about Rovers and their fans in Blackburn but about thousands of people from all over the North West."
Even the Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, sent a message to the team thanking them for their "tremendous contribution to the town".
"They have worked so hard and have been totally dedicated so they really deserve to win," he said. "They are truly a brilliant bunch who mean so much to the town and have helped Blackburn in so many ways."
Businessmen too are rooting for a Rovers win. Paul Smith, project manager for MDA, Waterfall Mill, said: "Everyone here hopes the team will find top form and."
Morrisons store manager Steve Lee, said: "We are all behind them."
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