BLACKBURN Rovers Academy director Bobby Downes has paid his young lions a glowing tribute following their victory in the Jersey 2000 tournament.
A Rovers Under 21 squad were out in the Channel Island as news of Jack Walker's death broke last week.
But Downes's Academy aces showed tremendous character to then go out and win the tournament in Walker's honour, beating Sporting Lisbon 3-2 in the final.
"Our boys were magnificent on and off the pitch in very difficult circumstances," said Downes.
"After the news about Jack we were in the spotlight but the way they conducted themselves was exemplary.
"It was uncanny how we were in Jersey the day the great man died.
"So that made it all the more special to win it for him."
Goals from Neil Danns and Marc Richards saw Rovers battle back from 2-0 down before Ben Burgess completed a brilliant comeback with a last minute winner.
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