THE Premier League title, an imposing Ewood Park stadium and a string of top class footballing talent. Jack Walker will always be remembered for what he brought to Blackburn Rovers.

Things have certainly changed dramatically for the blue and white half of East Lancashire since Ian Miller thrilled crowds with his direct wing play during the 1980s but the man known as ‘Dusty’ believes ‘Uncle Jack’s’ most important legacy is only really starting to be felt now.

Miller still marvels at the way Walker transformed the club from the Division Two plodders he knew to the established Premier League force they are today but believes their recent youth revolution will go down in history as being just as significant an achievement.

The 55-year-old Leeds United coach was part of Rovers’ coaching staff who oversaw the youth set-up’s conversion to academy status in the late 1990s and, more than decade on, is proud to see the fruits of its labour.

Local starlet Phil Jones continues to be tracked by the Premier League’s biggest clubs and fellow home-grown youngsters Junior Hoilett, Martin Olsson, Grant Hanley and Josh Morris are making their own top fight impact.

What is happening at Rovers is in huge contrast to what is happening elsewhere in the country, with the future of our national team in an increasingly fragile position, and Miller insists it should provide a huge sense of local pride.

He said: “Jack Walker invested a lot of money into the club and none more so in creating new state of the art facilities for the youth at Brockhall and allowing the club to achieve academy status.

“I remember when the academy started back in the late 1990s. Money was still being spent on more senior players back then and this was always more a long term plan, it was always going to be a lasting legacy left by Jack Walker.

“The club have been very patient in seeing the efforts bear fruit although over the years we have seen the likes of Paul Gallagher, Marlon Broomes, Ben Burgess and Neil Danns go on to make good careers for themselves.

“You have to remember it is very hard for young footballers to get their chance in the Premier League these days and that is what makes what is happening at Blackburn Rovers at the moment even more remarkable.

“There are few better Premier League clubs to be at the moment if you are a youngster. Phil Jones will tell you that.”

Miller earned favourite status at Ewood Park with his orthodox wing play in a Rovers career that spanned more than 300 appearances between 1981 and 1989.

He was signed for Rovers from Swindon Town for £60,000 by Bobby Saxton and played a starring role in the 1987 Full Members Cup win in 1987, creating Colin Hendry’s winner.

Miller has since enjoyed a successful coaching career, including a spell at tomorrow’s visitors Wolves and a brief Rovers return in 2008, and is now enjoying himself at Elland Road.

“Blackburn Rovers deserved great credit for surviving in the old Division Two on limited resources when I was there and towards the end we were challenging for the play-offs,” said Miller.

“It was the best days of my playing career and Bobby Saxton was the best manager I played under.

“The club has made great strides since but have kept that ‘family feel’ about them.

“I am always made to feel welcome when I return to the club and there is that sense of tradition. It is a wonderful club, with wonderful people and in manager Sam Allardyce they couldn’t be in better hands.”

Now to the future.

Miller believes English football is facing a difficult balancing act between developing our youth and strengthening the Premier League’s brand.

He fears the Phil Jones’ of this world are only going to find their chances fewer and further between but takes hope from the success of Rovers’ youth set up.

“It is a conundrum,” said Miller. “I have to admit I have absolutely no answer. Maybe putting a cap on the amount of foreign players would help?

“There is no doubt the fans appreciate one of their own coming through the ranks and making it in the first team.

“The problem is it is harder and harder to do that. That is why Blackburn deserve such praise for what they are doing.

“Managers just aren’t given time to blood young players because they will be sacked if they don’t get immediate results. Relegation from the Premier League is just financial suicide.

“Look at what happened with Leeds. The club tried to live the dream but you have seen what happened since. League One was very difficult to get out of and the Championship is even harder.

“The Premier League is a global brand now and the best watched league in the world. It isn’t helping our national game though and we are in a bit of a catch 22 situation at the moment.”