THE long-time unthinkable is now upon us - Blackburn Rovers no longer a Premiership club.

After 50 years of being a Rovers' supporter, this season has hurt more than any other I can remember in terms of bitter disappointment.

The reasons why the club has gone in four seasons, from being Premiership champions to Nationwide League status include poor managerial appointments in Harford and Hodgson, and top-quality players being allowed to leave.

Incoming replacements such as Davies, Blake, Marcolin, Croft, Dailly, Dahlin, Andersson, Pedersen, Konde, Fettis, Peacock, Donis bear absolutely no comparison.

The fitness guru should have been dismissed long before he actually got the push. I've never known a club with so many strain injuries to groins, thighs, calfs etc. Rovers should take a leaf out of George Graham's book and close the treatment room to eliminate apparent malingerers. Brian Kidd has publicly stated what thousands of fans have known for many months - too many players are here for the gravy-train ride.

There are several highly-talented youngsters who have emerged during the last couple of seasons who should be given their chance to play together in the team on a regular basis.

I still believe that Brian Kidd has been a good appointment.

Have a good clear out, Brian.

N HALLIWELL, Cliffe Park, Great Harwood.

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