SOCCER paid a massive tribute to Jack Walker, the man who defied the odds to take his home town team from the wilderness to the Premiership title.

The game's top personalites and fans alike praised him for the way he turned Blackburn Rovers around, bringing a breath of fresh air to a game dominated by the big city clubs.

At Burnley the keen rivalry between the clubs was put on hold as the players wore black armbands and Turf Moor flags flew at half mast. It was a warm gesture which typified the tremendous respect in which Jack Walker was held.