BURNLEY Liberal Democrat leader Gordon Birtwistle said Jack Walker had put both the football club and the town on the world map.
"His contribution to Blackburn cannot be overstated," said Coun Birtwistle, a Rovers season ticket holder for over 40 years. He took a third division team and transformed it into a premier side which reached the pinnacle of success.
"I was in Dubai this year and businessmen there said they had never heard of Blackburn until the club challenged for the European Cup - that is kind of recognition Jack Walker gained for the town."
Coun Birtwistle, who owns an engineering company in Oswaldtwistle said Mr Walker was the most "straight and honest" businessmen he had ever dealt with. "His word was his bond."
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