THOSE responsible for running the Worthington Cup clearly don't give a hoot for the fans, as they scheduled the second round draw for Sky Sports at 12.30pm today.

That is at a time when many football fans attending home matches have already set off and those travelling away are in mid-journey.

But since when do the fans ever receive any consideration?

DAVID Speedie and former top referee Neil Midgeley are the chief guests at a 'Celebrity Night', organised by the Supporters' Association at Ewood next Thursday.

They will be supported by comedian Max Pressure at the event, which is sponsored by Farley's Solicitors and will be staged in the Premier Suite (7.30pm for 8pm).

It is an adults-only evening and tickets are now on sale, price £3.50 members, £5 non-members.

LATEST Double Your Money Club £500 winner is P Ashworth (Blackburn), number 997A.

Winner of the Rovers Return £1,000 prize at last Saturday's game against Barnsley was Mr A Monk (Oswaldtwistle), number 007237.

The autographed ball has yet to be claimed. The number is 000855 and the prize can be claimed from the customer services desk in the RoverStore.

THE Academy season got under way again today with both the under-17 and under-19 sides at home to Newcastle with a 12 noon kick-off time.

Next Saturday, September 4, both teams are away to Leeds (kick-off 11am).

TICKETS for the next Nationwide League First Division game against Tranmere at Ewood on Saturday, September 11 (3pm), went on open sale this week.

They are priced £15-20 adults, £10 senior citizens and £8 juniors where applicable.

Prices for tickets bought in advance for the League game at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, September 18 (3pm) are £14 adults, £8 juniors and senior citizens.

Fans intending to travel to The Hawthorns should note that matchday prices at the turnstiles will be £15 and £8-50 respectively.

Tickets will go on open sale from next Friday, September 3.

THE Ewood ticket office will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday. The office was due to close at 12.30pm today and re-open at 9am on Tuesday.

Normal ticket office opening hours are: Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm; any pre-match working day 9am-7pm; match Saturday 9am-kick-off time; non-match Saturday 9am-12.30pm.

ROVERS Reserves play their first home game of the new season on Tuesday night. They entertain Bolton Wanderers at Ewood (7pm) in the FA Premier Reserve League (North).

Their reserve match away to Bradford City has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, September 29 (7pm).

THE annual meeting of the Supporters' Association takes place in the Millennium Lounge at Ewood on Thursday, September 16 (8pm start).

NEW dates for both the Bolton (home) and Swindon (away) games were sorted out this week.

Rovers will visit Swindon on Tuesday, September 28 (7.45pm) and will entertain Bolton at Ewood on Wednesday, December 1 (7.45pm). The Bolton game is subject to neither side being involved in the Worthington Cup fourth round.

The games were postponed originally because of this week's international fixtures.

THERE is a credit card freephone hotline at Ewood for booking tickets, 08080-101010.

It closes at 12.30pm on matchdays and there is a booking fee of £1 per ticket. This applies to credit and debit cards when booking by phone.

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