I WONDER why Chris Birch, of Burnley (Sports Letters, February 20) was so upset by the response of Rovers' fans to Derby supporter S Nightingale's remarks the week before.

Talking about the Cup replay, which Rovers won 5-2, he said winning away at Derby does not constitute much in the way of a major football scalp and that even Burnley won there only last season and were another division lower.

I expect Burnley fans thought that was a major scalp. But lots of lower division clubs beat teams in higher divisions from time to time -- Wycombe and Tranmere this season, for instance.

What about Burnley -- dumped by Scunthorpe two divisions lower?

Still on the FA Cup, who knocked Liverpool out of the competition last season? Rovers, of course. I reckon that was definitely an achievement.

It would appear that Mr Birch certainly doesn't want Rovers to be promoted. Maybe he, too, could be eating humble pie at the season's end. S ASHTON, Pilmuir Road, Blackburn.