IT is 20 years since Blackburn Rovers won the Premiership. But did they buy their way to the title as some suggested back then?

Well, how much did they spend compared to some of their rival clubs?

My research, which is published in today’s Lancashire Telegraph, shows that Rovers were in fact third on the list of big spenders during that period.

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If we take a look at the seasons 1992-1996 the findings may not make good reading for some clubs. The biggest spenders during the period were not Blackburn Rovers. Their ‘spending spree’ was dwarfed by the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United.

Blackburn Rovers spent £23.35million during the period. Manchester United, whose success owed much to their youth policy, spent £14.25m.

Liverpool spent £31.1m and Newcastle £45m. Much of Newcastle’s spend (£27m) was splashed out during the 1995-1996 season.

Liverpool meanwhile had already spent £23m before they wasted, sorry I meant invested, £8m on Stan Collymore in June 1995.

Manchester United spent the least by having the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers come through their ranks. Even so, move forward a few years and the club splashed out tens of millions to maintain their grip on the Premier League.

For anyone to suggest the title was bought is not looking at the facts. Some of the team were bargains. Graeme Le Saux and Henning Berg cost a combined total of £1.1m.

This may not happen again for a long time. Not Rovers winning the Premiership but a small club outside of the big five coming even close to becoming champions.

Unless there is a huge football financial crash or new rules mean you can only spend a certain amount a year it is impossible for any other team to win the Premier League. A small club cannot and will not win the championship again.

What I remember is the disdain supporters of some of the bigger clubs showed watching a small northern town claim British football’s ultimate prize.

I hope my research can now be used to counter claims that the 1995 title was in any way bought. It was won fair and square. Anyone who’s got issues with that can call me on 01254 298263.