HAVING followed Blackburn Rovers for more than 50 years, my heart tells me that they will reach the play-offs.

However, my brain informs me otherwise and that we are doomed to spend at least one more season languishing in the First Division and, as the end of the season grows ever nearer, attendances will naturally fall.

In the Premiership, skill is all-important but, in the lower leagues, passion and commitment are fundamental. Also, all teams need an icon, a Shearer, a Keane, a Challinor, a hero.

Blackburn have had the opportunity to bring a committed player and supporters' favourite back to Ewood Park in the form of Colin Hendry, a player who would undoubtedly bolster the falling attendances. One can only assume that the reason for declining the opportunity is one of ethics and pride, which are obviously more important than the well-being of the club.

We should feel pleased, however, as apparently the management team is more astute than the Scottish National Selection Board, Coventry, Derby and several other Premiership teams. Why then are we mid-table in the First Division?

The most important thing that has been missing from Blackburn Rovers over the past five years is vision, and as the good book says "Where there is no vision, the people will perish." Hopefully, this does not apply to football teams.

P A MULROONEY, Nabs Head Lane, Samlesbury.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.