IT has been something of a sweet and sour summer for Blackburn Rovers' season-ticket sales so far.

Continuing speculation over Alan Shearer in the national media has, believe Ewood officials, had a significant damaging effect on sales.

But the club still have some cause for satisfaction in the response of supporters, with figures having reached 15,000.

And it is reasonable to assume that, when Shearer reports back for training at the end of the month - later than the rest of the players because of his Euro 96 involvement - and starts to play in friendlies, there could well be another surge.

Another major signing, to go with the capture of Georgios Donis from Panathinaikos, could also give them a boost.

Current sales figures have, in fact, exceeded those of 14,500 for the start of the 1994-95 championship season. But, not surprisingly, they are well below last season's record sales of 19,500.

Following the disappointing title defence, it was logical to assume that sales would be significantly down and that the figure for next season would lie somewhere between those two totals.

There is still time for them to get closer to the record providing the news is positive between now and the start of the season.

Some 200 fans attended a meeting of the Independent Supporters Association this week when the hysterical speculation in publications like the Sun and Mirror was discussed.

A spokesman for the fans said: "Many of us have simply stopped buying them. We rely on the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for accurate reporting of what is and isn't happening at Ewood.

"We all desperately hope that Alan is still here next season. Everyone wants that because we think so much of him. But the point was also made that we must remember we are first and foremost supporters of Blackburn Rovers the club."

Other Premiership clubs are reporting increased demand, even Wimbledon who say season-ticket sales are already up on last year's figure of 3,000.

Everton report they have almost reached their 1995-96 total of 22,000, while West Ham - following a remarkable spending spree - report an unprecedented number of new applications and total sales of 12,000.

Sunderland are showing the biggest demand of any of the promoted clubs, with 16,000 seats taken.

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