THE choice of a permanent tribute to Jack Walker is a sensitive issue for Blackburn Rovers.

Many suggestions have already been aired, with differing degrees of merit.

I have a personal favourite, which has emanated from the corridors of power at Ewood Park.

A statue is an obvious and fitting lasting memorial, but the placement is all important.

My favoured spot, and one which makes compassionate sense, is the corner of the ground between the Jack Walker Stand and the Blackburn End.

That way, he will always be able to watch the game amongst friends.

And, if Graeme Souness should ever need an instrument of motivation, he need only point firmly in that direction.

The problem is that the statue would not be on public display for the vast majority of the year.

But there is a solution. Supporters have already made it known that they want to foot the cost for the main tribute.

Alan 'Birdy' Birkbeck, of Ewood Blues speaks for many fans when he says: "Let the fans pay for the statue of the great man. Lets put an extra couple of pounds on the season tickets or make individual donations. Or what about passing the buckets round at a future home fixture?"

Such gestures would provide a touching way of going some way towards paying Jack back for his own amazing generosity.

Should that transpire, the club could erect their own tribute, perhaps in the form of a permanent floral area near the club shop behind the Blackburn End.

Or the ugly steel gates at either end of the Jack Walker Stand could by replaced by a duplicated equivalent of the Shankly Gates.

One thing that should be avoided, though, and I'm sure Jack himself would have agreed, is tinkering with the club's heritage.

For that reason, changing the name of the ground to the Jack Walker Stadium or even altering the club badge would not feel quite right.

And to wear black armbands for the whole season would add a morbid air to a memory which will, in time, become a celebration of such an extraordinary life.

But there is no rush and as much time as possible should be taken to make sure that any decisions satisfy the needs of Jack's family and the club's supporters.

And I'd like to add a personal plea -- that all mobiles are switched off before the minute's silence at Ewood Park on Saturday.