D3D4 Blackburn correspondent Tim Bell recounts how a Texan fell in love with a team from Lancashire…
A LIFETIME LOVE AFFAIR?
The Dallas Cowboys were born in 1960. I was born in 1962. So, you can say we grew up together.
My first memory of the Dallas Cowboys was not until 1969, when Roger Staubach and Calvin Hill were rookies. The Cowboys still played in the Cotton Bowl then, at Fair Park, south of downtown. It is almost beyond logic to believe the Cowboys were already playing for a NFL championship in year #7 of their existence- and some fans wanted Tom Landry run out of town when they did not win it. I was nine years old when Dallas finally went Bigtime, in 1971, thrashing Miami. They did it again in 1978, and three more times, 1992, 1993, and 1995.
In spite of the 22-year lapse since winning a Super Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys are still “America’s Team”- the team everybody loves, or everybody hates, with equal enthusiasm.
I still love the Dallas Cowboys, although, my enthusiasm has waned after 22 years of nothing but promises- largely, empty years, with only 2 playoff wins to show for those 22 seasons.
Fast-forward to 2009. Our son’s senior year in high school, and he wanted to take a trip to London, Paris, & Rome. He wanted his ol’ dad to go with him. His older sister was already studying at Oxford, so this Texan got to make the long trip over the Big Pond and take in the sights, sounds, and scenery, of jolly ol’ London Town. My son was already infatuated with Premier League football at the time, specifically, Liverpool F.C. I couldn’t see it…after all, this wasn’t an offensive game. Every time somebody had a decent chance to score, the flag went up, “OFFSIDES” was the call, and a great fastbreak opportunity was gone…in my mind. A game dominated with 0-0 scores wasn’t my cup of tea, at the time.
The story continues…Son graduates with his Bachelor’s in 2012 from a Texas private school and then works a short time in Santa Fe, New Mexico. However, he had applied at Reading U. and after six months, he was accepted. He leaves the charm of New Mexico, and moves himself and two suitcases to Reading, for his Master’s. While there, we Viber back and forth daily, often, for 1 hour at a time. He loves his school-work, but even more, he loves Liverpool F.C. In fact, the skinny Texan with a shock of red hair, becomes a downright Scouser! Our conversations are mostly about Premier League football. I examine all those teams, and quickly dismiss them as any team I would follow…Liverpool commands my respect, as Champions of England on numerous occasions, and Champions of Europe, on occasion. Shankly and Paisley. King Kenny. Ian Rush, and Stevie G. As far as a PL team, I follow Liverpool.
However, it wasn’t until I discovered Lancashire, that I found my English love…Blackburn Rovers. You might ask, how would a Texan put aside the NFL, or the University of Texas Longhorns, for a Lancashire town-club, a side whose best history appears to be a series of FA Cup wins several generations ago. That’s a great question. I tried to learn as much as I could about English football. To date, I have acquired a substantial database of lore and information on English clubs. My son & I love football trivia…”What was Manchester United’s name before they became Manchester United?” Or, “what English club has played the most games?”, or “when was the last time Arsenal was relegated out of the 1st Division?”
Following the 1920’s, the Blackburn Rovers had decades of desultory play, until their ultimate relegation from the 1st Division in 1966 (strangely enough, Blackburn’s demise coincided with Liverpool’s emergence as THE English football power). Until, like a Phoenix, Blackburn Rovers rose from the football wasteland, and in 1992, was promoted to the 1st Division- The Premier League, of English football. Blackburn Rovers had been present for the founding of the Football League 1888, and over 100 years later, were present for the baptism of the Premier League.
I was attracted to their history, but also to the individuals who served the club, and well, for so long. Some have passed on, like Ronnie Clayton. But, Bryan Douglas is still around. Simon Garner, the all-time club goal-scorer, is still a player, fan, and critic, of the club he played for. He wasn’t there for the Rovers’ Premier League successes, but a new generation of Rovers’ stars- such as Shearer, Sutton, and Sherwood, brought the team and the town imperishable fame, under ironically, one of the men so responsible for Liverpool’s long, successful run, King Kenny himself.
In addition, I was intrigued and inspired that the love of a fan (albeit a rich one), Jack Walker, investing part of his fortune into the club he loved. Then, the improbable rise of a town-club like Blackburn, to be England’s champions, capturing the imagination of thousands, while proving there was room in the game for the small clubs, not just the Liverpool’s, Manchester’s, and Arsenal’s.
Despite Blackburn’s relegation three years after they were Premier League champions, they rebounded well, and were back to win a League Cup in 2001. It has only been 10 years since Rovers were in UEFA play.
I cannot blame the Rao family, for wanting to own one of the oldest, storied clubs in England. Or, the millions of pounds that have kept the club afloat for the last 7 years. I admit they are adroit at other aspects of the business world, while remaining novices at running a storied football club. They are good-intentioned amateurs.
At this point in their history, Blackburn Rovers need the love of a mother, & father. Someone, anyone, who loves the club from the heart hopefully can persuade the Rao family/Venky’s to part with their pretty toy. The luster is off, and the brand is not so flashy or marketable, but I have to be optimistic enough to believe there are still games to be played, honors to be won, and loving crowds to enthusiastically cheer the Blue & White on to victory again.
I suppose it is somewhat ironic that Blackburn Rovers and the Dallas Cowboys both enjoyed hitting Paydirt at the same time, for the last time, in 1995. However, I am hopeful enough that both will be resurrected to again walk in the light as champions of their respective leagues.
Go, you Dallas Cowboys, and Arte et Labore, Blackburn Rovers.
words Tim Bell
You say you cannot blame the Rao family but they were the ones who chose to get rid of Sam Allardyce and have had extremely poor communication with the managers of recent past such as Paul Lambert, who actually activated a release clause in his contract such was his dissatisfaction with them. I remember the day they won the title, they actually lost to Liverpool but West Ham held Man Utd to a 1-1 draw that gave Rovers the title regardless! Great piece!
I said I cannot blame them for wanting to own the club.
Thanks for reading, & I am glad you liked it.
Paul Lambert who said he didn’t need to spend any money to do well at Blackburn when told he wouldn’t have any and then left complaining he hadn’t been given enough money when he was given exactly what he’d been told he’d get?
The nonsense thrown around by some Rovers fans desperate to find ways to blame the owners for the failings of the team and manager is very old these days. Teams go up and others go down. Fortunes change, this is the nature of football. Trying to vilify someone for this seems to be the sport of choice rather than focussing on the football these days.
Rob, I agree with you. Its time to quit focusing on playing the blame game, and its time to support the club. Thanks for reading!
I enjoyed reading your story Tim. It is always interesting to hear what people think of BRFC from around the world. I agree with a previous comment that football can be about different fortunes. I do not expect to see Rovers to be a strong footballing force ever again in my lifetime. Indeed Rovers are back now where i first started to support them back in 1979/80. I still have the match day programmes to prove it! I think there is too much money in football now and i find it quite sickening to see players on a weeks wage similar to what i can earn in a year. And that is an average league one player. Footballers now are treated like movie stars and the celebrity status they are afforded is just laughable. I am the one who turned to the dark side by the way.
Steve,
Thanks for reading, I appreciate & agree with your comments. These salaries today are just obscene.
I have another piece in the works, recent Rovers history that I hope will be interesting.
Steve check out “A Million for your thoughts” in the blog section of the site. You will, I’m sure, be both interested and disgusted by the figures involved!