IT is 103 years since Bob Crompton inspired Blackburn Rovers to their first top-flight title, 87 years since he guided them to their sixth and final FA Cup success, and 74 years since his untimely passing, shortly after he had masterminded a derby victory over Burnley.

But it is only now that the ‘greatest Rover of them all’ is getting the wider recognition he deserves for his magnificent achievements at the club he served for more than half of his life.

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He is one of 10 legends who will be inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum in Manchester in October.

Other inductees include Stuart Pearce and John Barnes but while their names may be more recognisable, their not inconsiderable careers pale in comparison to that of the remarkable Crompton.

After being given a chance to impress in an end-of-season friendly with Darwen in April 1897, the full-back went on to make 576 appearances for Rovers before his retirement in 1920.

During that time Blackburn-born Crompton, a powerful but fair defender blessed with a first-class touch, captained his hometown club to two First Division titles, the first of which came in 1912 and the second two years later.

His leadership qualities also led him to becoming captain of his country and his 41 caps for England were a record until surpassed by the great Billy Wright in 1952.

The Great War effectively ended his playing career but after taking up a position on the Rovers board, he accepted the job as the club’s honorary manager in December 1926.

Always blessed with a great tactical brain, Crompton inspired Rovers to a shock FA Cup final success over Huddersfield Town in April 1928.

The Wembley victory, in his first full season in charge, served to strengthen his iconic status among the club’s fan base but his autocratic style was not always popular with his players or his fellow directors and, after stepping down as honorary manager in February 1931, one month later he was voted off the board.

Rovers’ fortunes faded without Crompton and they suffered relegation for the first time in their history in 1936.

But he returned to the club in the closing weeks of the 1937-38 campaign, assisting secretary-manager Reg Taylor to steer Rovers away from another relegation, before taking over the reins himself and, incredibly, bringing Second Division title success in 1939 in his first full season in charge.

He remained at the helm after the outbreak of the Second World War and until his death on March 15, 1941, at the age of 61, hours after his Rovers side had beaten Burnley 3-2 at Ewood Park.

Author Mike Jackman hailed Crompton as the ‘greatest Rover of them all’ in his acclaimed book Blackburn Rovers: The Complete Record.

And the lifelong Rovers fan is delighted Crompton will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“It’s recognition for a guy who was one of the all-time greats,” said Jackman.

“He may not been known nationally and there are other players from that era who are better known than Bob Crompton yet he achieved huge things.

“It is a fitting tribute to him as I think he’s been a neglected figure in football history given what he achieved both as a player and as a manager.

“As a player he had a reputation for being scrupulously fair and as a manager he was an extremely astute tactician who had an eye for a player.

“In my book he is the greatest of all the Rovers.”