FOOTBALL came home for grandad John Arkwright when he turned the beautiful game into the generation game at Rovers' big match with Barcelona.

When Rovers announced they were playing the Spanish superstars in a pre-season warm-up at Ewood Park, John, of Earl Street, Great Harwood, knew that his son, Dominic, would insist on going to the match -- even though he now lives in the Catalan capital.

Dominic, a web designer, moved to Barcelona with his partner Sara Jacas two years ago and they came home specially for the game with their 10-month-old daughter, Sofia, who saw the big kick-off too.

John, an Ewood Park regular for 25 years, said: "As soon as I told Dominic that Rovers were playing Barcelona he was on the phone to get tickets for the match.

"There was no way he was going to miss it. It was the right result for me, but I'm not sure about Dominic."

Rovers won the friendly 3-2.

Dominic decided to swap Waterfoot for Barcelona after completing a degree in Video Imaging Communications at Salford University.

He now works as an internet developer in the Spanish city.

He said: "Before I came to live in Barcelona I was always a Blackburn Rovers supporter, but everyone who comes here always ends up following Barcelona --they're like the Catalan national team."

Divided football loyalties have been known to split families, but Dominic is under no illusions as to who his daughter will support.

"I think she will have to be a Barcelona fan, because everyone who lives in this city supports them," he added.

"She already goes to matches."

Domonic and family were returning to Spain today after their long weekend in East Lancashire.

"It was a pity about the weather," said Dominic.

And they talk about the rain in Spain...