RAY Harford's New Year wish - if he could have one - would be to take Blackburn Rovers back into Europe.

The Ewood boss is well aware that it will take a major improvement in League results, or FA Cup success, to clinch a European spot for the third season in succession.

But he feels that qualification could go a long way towards helping Rovers establish themselves as a big club.

In many quarters, they still seem to be regarded as temporary upstarts among the elite.

The title success changed some people's thinking and continued high placings at home, as well as regular - and improved! - participation abroad can help alter other perceptions.

"It would be terrific to get back into Europe," said Harford.

"We have had two tastes of it and I don't think anyone's opinion here has changed. You want to play against the top clubs in Europe.

"I said in pre-season that we won't really be a big club until we had two or three more years in the Premier League.

"We are still fairly new at it and we have to get some more flesh on the bones. We are still a small-town club even though we have got the stadium and the backers.

"And we have had some tremendous support which has come about through winning the League and our home performances.

"The away support in particular has also been fantastic. They have been terrific even though we haven't been able to give them an away victory in the League."

Reactions to Rovers' title success and first half of the season underline Harford's belief that people don't yet see them as one of the major clubs in the country.

"I have heard people say that we didn't deserve to win it or that we shouldn't have won it," he said.

"Not that it's a problem to us. We've been in a similar situation to Leeds after they became champions, but no-one said Leeds didn't deserve to win it.

"But they have always been a big club."

Rovers have come so far, so quickly, but if they can yet clinch a high position in the second half of the season to go with their fourth, second and first places of previous years, people will soon start to accept that there's a new big boy on the block. And if they could claim a European place against the odds, that would add conviction.

Especially if they can put their new experiences abroad to good use in the not too distant future.

Alan Shearer looks set to be cleared of any action by the Football Association, following complaints from a couple of Middlesbrough fans about his goal celebrations during this month's win over the Teessiders.

Police have been examining video evidence and, while there has not yet been any official statement from the FA, good sources say it is unlikely he will face any charges at all.

That will please everyone at Ewood who felt the complaints against him went over the top.

Meanwhile, Paul Harford, son of the Rovers boss, has been disciplined by the club following an off-the-field incident at the Middlesbrough game.

A player on the Ewood staff, the 21-year-old Harford was asked to leave the stadium with some friends during the game.

I understand he has been fined.

Club chairman Robert Coar would only say: "The matter has been dealt with under our internal disciplinary code and as far as we are concerned it is now closed."

Latest Double Your Money £500 winner is S Hacking, Rishton, number 378A. Rovers Return £2,000 prize, number 159890, has yet to be claimed.

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