COLIN Hendry's passion and commitment once epitomised the fighting qualities which transformed Rovers into the Champions of England.

But, the rugged Scot today revealed morale plummeted to such a low ebb in the wake of Kenny Dalglish's departure that the players were almost reduced to fighting amongst themselves as the Ewood edifice started to crumble.

Hendry's hopes of an emotional return to Rovers for the first time since he left for Rangers in 1998 might be in jeopardy because of an injury picked up against Fulham at the weekend.

But the man the Blackburn End still affectionately call 'Braveheart' is big enough to admit that some of the players let the club down in the wake of Dalglish and Ray Harford's departures.

"There was quite a bit of unrest in the team towards the end of that season when Ray Harford resigned," recalls Hendry.

"Ray had gone, Tony Parkes and Derek Fazackerley were trying to pick up the pieces and there was a lot of unrest.

"I remember me and Chris Sutton once getting locked in an argument at Middlesbrough.

"So, as individuals, we didn't really do well for the manager and we didn't really do well for ourselves that season."

Thankfully, Rovers are now on their way back under the shrewd guidance of Graeme Souness.

But Hendry can look back with immense personal pride at what he achieved with the club during the Dalglish and Harford era in the 90s.

Re-signed from Manchester City at the start of the decade, he became a cornerstone of the Jack Walker-inspired Ewood revolution -- culminating in the championship success of 1995.

And he'll never forget the impact Rovers' managerial duo had on his own career.

"As a person, Kenny was a really nice guy," said Hendry.

"He was one of the players I'd always idolised as a kid, although I never said that very often whilst he was here otherwise I would have got the Micky taken in training.

"But Kenny and Ray were a great combination.

"Of course there were times when they were under a bit of stress when things weren't going right -- as any management team experiences -- and they were occasionally at each other's throats.

"But Ray Harford was one of the key figures in my career.

"He moulded me into the player I am today.

"Positionally, he was very good and he tried to develop a controlled aggression in me without me picking up the bookings.

"Yes, I made the odd rash tackle and, yes, I'd end up on my backside a few times -- but I'd win the ball.

"All the best centre halves in the world do that.

"And those who don't aren't centre halves but frustrated midfielders.

"So Kenny and Ray were a great partnership to learn from with Ray being a defender and Kenny an attacker.

"And that was probably the best combination to affect my career."

Since turning pro with Dundee back in 1984, Hendry counts Dalglish and Harford among an elite handful of people who've had a major influence on his career. And he hopes to add Wanderers duo Sam Allardyce and Phil Brown to that list by the time his contract expires at the Reebok in two years time. Tonight, he can take a step nearer FA Cup glory by putting one over his old club in their fifth round replay.

But he dismisses suggestions that it's a game neither side wants to win because of the implications that could have for the promotion run-in.

"As a player, nothing changes because as soon as you step onto the pitch you want to win every game," said Hendry.

"You don't think this is only a cup tie and the game against Gillingham on Saturday is more important.

"But it's maybe a decision for the managers because they can have a big influence on what happens in terms of the teams they put out.

"Whichever way you look at it, though, the League has got to be the priority.

"I've still got a few things to add to my collection and an FA Cup medal would be nice.

"But I'd swap that for being in the Premiership with Bolton next season any day."

For that to happen, however, he may have to re-live his worst nightmare.

Back in 1989, a young Hendry suffered the ultimate heartache when Rovers crashed out of the play-offs against Crystal Palace with a place in the top-flight within touching distance.

Leading 3-1 from the first leg at Ewood, Rovers then succumbed 3-0 at Selhurst in what proved to be the most painful moment of his career.

"That was the saddest day of my life as a footballer, there's no doubt about that," said Hendry.

"I've been in a team that's won promotion, I've won two championships, and played for three cup winning teams.

"But I've never been relegated.

"And to me, that day must have felt exactly the same as what people feel when they do get relegated.

"The whole of the season we'd just played suddenly hinged on one game.

"And to go into the second game 3-1 up, we never should have lost it from there.

"But, to be fair to Palace, they did brilliantly to turn it around.

"I've experienced disappointments in my career like getting knocked out of major championships with Scotland.

"But that was the lowest point.

"There were serious tears in the dressing room afterwards.

"I remember Tony Parkes coming up to me and I didn't really know too much about what was happening.

"But that probably made me a stronger person, if not necessarily a better player."

It's that quality which ultimately estbalished him as an Ewood legend. aneild@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk