WELL what a surprise -- Rovers get to the Worthington Cup semi-final and Burnley fan M Hibbert (Sport Letters, December 18) knocks the competition.

At least Rovers fans can look forward to the chance to reach the final of one of England's three main domestic trophies. Clarets fans had to settle for the video "When We Were Kings" in their Christmas stockings.

Apparently, it was so long ago that the sequel will be called "The curse of the Mummy" with none other than Bond himself playing a starring role. No not the 007 James Bond -- John Bond!

A third video, "The Titanic", will be released in the spring to help Clarets fans cope with that sinking feeling as they slip down Division One. Rovers fans meanwhile had their Christmas stockings filled with a Welsh language guide, a plan of how to get in or out of Cardiff in under six hours and, of course, a new striker.

Meanwhile I'm off to watch "The Lord of the Rings" and hope it is half as good as watching those wizards from Ewood run rings round the Clarets' defence last season.

Keep the banter flowing in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. After all, who knows, if Stan doesn't lose his lucky horse shoe, then England's "Biggest Derby by Miles" (if measured as a percentage of local fans) could have its first taste of the Premiership.

DEREK POWER, via e-mail.