A CONTROVERSIAL survey which has labelled Blackburn Rovers one of the worst clubs in the country for attracting Asian supporters has been kicked into touch - by the town's first Indian-born peer.

Lord Patel of Blackburn has blasted an £80,000 Premier League survey which placed Rovers bottom of the league on samples of support from the 1998/99 season - saying the club has no Asian season ticket holders.

The new peer, who has lived in the area since the 1960s says he has followed Rovers for many years and has had a season ticket for the last six in the Jack Walker stand.

Rovers were singled out in the survey because more than 10 per cent of the Blackburn and Darwen population is Asian and because the borough has an Asian mayor, Coun Salas Kiani.

But Lord Patel said: "I've never heard anything so ridiculous. I know things could be better but I know lots of people of Asian heritage who support the Rovers.

"It doesn't matter what heritage you are from, if you live in Blackburn, Rovers are your team. This survey is obviously very inaccurate."

Janaid Quereshi, chairman of the Racial Equality Council in the town said: "This does not ring true at all.

"I know a lot of Asian people who regularly attend Ewood Park and I am sure some of them will have season tickets.

"Blackburn Rovers have put a lot of effort in to attract more Asian fans, for economic reasons as much as anything with there being such a large Asian population in the town.

"It is not as if attracting Asian fans to football is a problem which just affects Blackburn."

Council leader Coun Malcolm Doherty said: "I see a lot of Asian people at the match on Saturdays. I used to see a lot more when I sat in the Riverside than I do now, so it is not true to say there are no Asians who go to Ewood.

"I think some of the problem may be that a lot of the Asians from Blackburn and Darwen are in low paid jobs and going to football these days is a very expensive occupation."

Rovers were placed in the middle of league tables on the number of female season tickets holders and average wealth of fans.

The club neared the top of the table on fans born within 20 miles of the club. Manchester United were fourth from bottom.

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