LEE Carsley emerged as top Rovers player in the ratings given out by Match Magazine for September. He averaged seven out of 10 for his four matches during the month.

But his new midfield partner Per Frandsen did even better with his combined rating from two clubs - Rovers and Bolton.

Frandsen averaged 7.5 for his four matches (two for each club) and they included three star man ratings.

He finished third overall in the Matchman of the Month contest for the First Division. Winner was Mike Sheron (Barnsley), with ex-Rover Chris Coleman (Fulham) runner-up.

A RATHER surprising name cropped up at Alex Ferguson's testimonial game on Monday night.

Dario Marcolin was included in the 'Rest of the World XI' - not bad for a player released by Rovers before the end of his loan spell from Lazio.

Now back in Rome, Marcolin was one of a number of foreigners who flew in together from Italy.

Perhaps Fergie remembered that the Italian scored for Rovers in a 3-2 United win at Old Trafford last season.

It was his only goal for the Ewood club.

THE latest Double Your Money Club £500 winner really needed the cash - me!

That's right, after around 16 years of handing over £1 per week this particular founder member of the DYM draw finally recorded number 656A as the winner. Grateful thanks go to the lady who drew the winning number to recoup some of my losses and, as my luck has not been the best lately, it just goes to show anyone can win.

There are numbers available from the customer services desk in the club superstore for anyone interested.

PS No begging letters please.

THE Academy teams were back in action today, with games against Bolton at home for the under-19s and away for the under-17s. Kick-off time was 11am.

Next Saturday, October 23, both sides are at home to Crewe, again at 11am.

TICKETS for next Wednesday's home game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 7.45pm) are currently on sale at normal prices, adults £15-20, senior citizens and juniors £10 and £8 respectively where available.

Seats for the home game against QPR on Saturday, October 30 (3pm) are also available and, from Monday, tickets for the home game against Ipswich on Saturday, November 6 (3pm) will go on open sale - both at normal prices.

FANS aiming to make their first-ever visit to the Bescot Stadium can now obtain tickets for Rovers' trip on Tuesday, October 26 (7.45pm).

They are priced £15 adults, £11 senior citizens (over-60s) and juniors (under-14s).

Visiting supporters are allocated places in the William Sharp Stand, which is behind one of the goals.

THERE is no reserve game scheduled for next week. Aston Villa (away) are the next opponents for the reserve side, on October 27.

TWO more League games have been re-arranged and it seems certain that Rovers will have to find a new date - because of the Euro 2000 play-offs - for the game scheduled to be played at Birmingham on November 13.

Bolton's involvement in the fourth round of the Worthington Cup means their re-arranged visit to Ewood has had to be moved again. It will now take place on Tuesday, December 7 (7.45pm).

The previous week, Tuesday, November 30 (8pm), Rovers will visit The Valley for their League game which was postponed early in the season.

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