Tributes to Jack Walker from Blackburn Rovers stars past and present

Tim Sherwood, captain of the championship winning side, said: "I remember seeing him drive to the training ground once in a 1.1 Fiesta Popular.

"At first I thought it was the groundsman. Then, when I realised who it was, I thought 'What is a guy with all that money doing driving something like that?'

"It was probably just a hire car," said Sherwood, who now plays at Spurs, owned by Alan Sugar.

He added: "Jack was a genuine guy. He was like a supporter more than an owner and, when you go to other clubs - without naming names - you realise how lucky Blackburn were to have someone like that.

"He once took us to play his local side in Jersey, First Tower.

"He treated us just like his boys over there who were postmen and builders - there was no favouritism.

"Before every game he would come into our changing room but would not say a great deal.

"He would let the manager get on with it.

"After the games he would never have anything negative to say, even when we'd had a poor result.

"We were never worried about seeing him because he was never going to give you any grief.

"Every club owner wants success and Jack was one who managed it."

Jason Wilcox, another member of Rovers' championship winning squad, looked on Walker as a father-figure.

"Jack Walker has enhanced my career like nobody else could have done.

"He was a father-figure to me and all the other players," said Wilcox, who is now with Leeds United.

"I've played under some of the best managers in the world, alongside some of the best players this country has ever seen, and that was all down to Jack.

"I can't thank him enough for that.

"Those years when we were challenging for the championship were second to none.

"And I'll never forget the look on his face when we actually won it.

"Jack was responsible for everything that happened at Blackburn during that time and my sympathy goes out to all his family.

"I just hope Rovers can get back up this season as a fitting tribute to Jack because the Premier League is not the same without him."

Scotland international Christian Dailly said he feared the worst when Walker was missing from Rovers' pre-season photo shoot.

"It was strange Jack not being there and it was only then when we realised just how ill he must have been.

"But it's really, really sad," said Dailly.

"He was very supportive of me when I first signed for the club.

"He was not there when I actually arrived but he made sure he phoned me up personally to wish me all the best.

"And that's the kind of man he was.

"He was just like one of the boys the way he came into the dressing room before a game.

"He would often sit down and speak with you and ask how you were feeling.

"We will be doubling our efforts to make sure we get back into the Premier League now because we owe it to Jack."

Rovers legend Ronnie Clayton built up a close relationship with Walker during and after his playing days at Ewood.

He said: "I have known Jack for a very long time, about 40 years. It's like losing one of my own family.

"When he started to come to games I used to meet him quite a lot of course.

"He loved Blackburn and we had a great friendship. It's such a big blow and we will miss him so much.

"It was only through Jack that we got into the Premiership.

"He was Blackburn Rovers.

"It was a great shame when we were relegated and he would have loved us to have been promoted again and for him to have seen it."

Former manager Brian Kidd was appointed by Walker and despite an ill-fated spell at the helm held Walker in the highest esteem.

He said: "I'm devastated by the news. He was such a wonderful man. I can't say enough good things about Mr Walker.

"His love of Blackburn Rovers was paramount and although it didn't work out I'll never regret the opportunity he have me to manage Rovers.

"In the short time I knew him he was marvellous to me.

"His love for the club shone through and he was a man of the people.

"The thoughts of myself and Margaret go to Mrs Walker and their family."

Rovers record League appearance holder Derek Fazackerley first met Walker towards the end of his playing days and then saw at first-hand his impact at the club after returning to Ewood to join the coaching staff.

He said: "It's a massive blow. You can't put into words what he's done for the club, not just from a financial point of view but his personality and the enthusiasm he brought to the place.

"He really came into the club just after I had finished playing but when I came back in 1995 just after we had won the championship I saw him on a weekly basis and he was always a welcome visitor to the dressing room.

"There's no doubt that the success the club enjoyed and winning the Premiership wouldn't have happened without Jack's input.

"A lot was down to the management team of Kenny Dalglish and Ray Harford but without Jack's financial input it wouldn't have happened, not only bringing in players but re-building the stadium, which will now be a lasting monument to him.

"You hear about many people involved with football clubs but not many who put their money where their mouth is.

"Jack Walker did that and he achieved his ambition of winning the Premiership and qualifying for the Champions League.

"I just hope that if the players needed any extra incentive, not that they should, then rightly or wrongly this might be the thing that pushes them to promotion. It would be poignant and fitting."

Simon Garner, Blackburn Rovers all-time top scorer, said: "This is so sad, Jack Walker was a great man.

"He was really one of the lads, he was always in on the team talks and you just got the impression that he wanted to play football.

"I am sure if he could he'd have played for Blackburn Rovers in exchange for all the other great things he did in his life.

"I was commentating for Radio Lancashire after one of the Charity Shield matches which Rovers played in.

"After the game I went for a drink in the Players Lounge.

"Jack was talking to Terry Venables, but as soon as he saw me he ended his conversation and came up to me to have a chat with me.

"He never forgot Blackburn, he was Blackburn through and through and the fact that I had played for the team meant he wanted to speak with me and I think that is some measure of the man, that his home town was always in his heart."

Rovers midfielder Lee Carsley added: " He was the heart and soul of Blackburn, there's no doubt about that.

"He was a fan at heart who was really proud of his home-town club.

"It's just a shame we couldn't get back in the Premier League in time for him to see it."