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Newcastle United vs. Blackburn Rovers - 07/01/12 @ 3pm [FA Cup 3rd Round]


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Blackburn Rovers fans urged to watch Chorley FC

 

 

Blackburn Rovers fans have been urged to boycott their own club's FA Cup match on Saturday and watch local non-league club Chorley FC instead.

 

Fans are angry at the way the Premier League club has been run by Indian owners Venky's, who took over in 2010.

 

Blackburn Rovers FC Action Group said at least 120 fans planned to miss their club's away match at Newcastle United.

 

Non-league Chorley are struggling for money after a £70,000 shortfall was discovered in the club's accounts.

 

The suspected theft was reported by the club in September. A 23-year-old local man arrested on suspicion of false accounting was later released without charge.

 

Police have said they are continuing to investigate.

 

Chorley chairman Ken Wright said: "Obviously we would welcome anything that would increase our home crowd."

 

But he added: "Obviously we don't want to be involved in the dispute at Blackburn.

 

"We welcome any support at present - our position is precarious."

 

Chorley is managed by former Rovers player Garry Flitcroft, while another ex-Blackburn star Matt Jansen is player-coach.

 

"I think it is fantastic," said Mr Flitcroft, "If we can get a few more hundreds we will be very happy."

 

Blackburn Rovers FC Action Group has been protesting about the way the club is run by the poultry company Venky's. The firm took over at Ewood Park in November 2010.

 

Last week, Rovers posted an annual loss of £18.3m, increasing the club's overall debt to £26.3m. They are currently 19th in the Premier League, three points behind 17th-placed QPR.

'Real fans'

 

Action group founder Gareth Jones said: "We have got our problems at Blackburn and everything in the Premier League is about money.

 

"This is a chance to forget about that and see some real football with some real fans."

 

He said supporters also wanted to show their appreciation for Flitcroft and Jansen for what they did for the club.

 

An appeal by the group on Facebook has also asked fans to back the appeal fund to save Chorley from going into administration.

 

Mr Jones said more than 120 Rovers fans had already said they would attend Chorley's game with North Ferriby United.

 

He added: "We don't know how many others will be going - it would be great if we could get 500."

 

Formed as a rugby club in 1875, Chorley FC embraced football eight years later.

 

Its best known former players are England striker Paul Mariner, who also played for Ipswich and Arsenal, and ex-Blackpool and Everton forward Mickey Walsh, who won BBC Match of the Day's Goal of the Season in 1973-74.

 

Earlier this year Chorley, who play in the Evo-Stik Premier League, emulated Barcelona and Aston Villa by having a charity on their shirts with the logo of local children's hospice Derian House.

 

So, I suspect hardly any Blackburn fans will make the trip up to St. James' then.

 

You mean like the same as when they weren't being urged to boycott and watch Chorley.

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Guest Heneage

Blackburn wouldn't have brought many fans anyway in normal circumstances.

Really? Chance to head up here for the weekend might have appealed I'd have thought.

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Looking forward to going to this, having missed last night's show, but i hope we tinker a bit.

 

 

----------------------------------- Krul -----------------------------------

 

Simpson -------- Williamson ------- Coloccini ------------- Santon

 

Obertan ------------ Gosling -------- Vuckic -------------- Sameobi

 

--------------------------- HBA -------------------------------------------

----------------------------------- Shola ---------------------------------

 

Subs: Elliot, Perch, Raylor, Ferguson, Abeid, Jonas, Best

 

 

Something like that would do. Wouldn't mind Perch coming in for one of Willicini. Would be nice to see Ferguson and Sammy both feature in the squad, but i'd probably plump for Obertan and Sammy down the wings. Jonas needs a rest. I'd have Cabaye in for Gosling if there are no fitness concerns.

 

Either way, i hope that Santon, Vuckic, Ben Arfa and Shola all start.

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Is Guthrie available for this? If he is I'd go with:

 

Krul

Simpson - Williamson - Coloccini - Santon

Raylor - Guthrie - Vuckic - Ferguson

Ben Arfa

Best

 

If Guthrie isn't available then Gosling in his place, give Cabaye and Jonas a rest.

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I've just been wooshed, haven't I? :lol: :fool:

 

By me saying Shola's more of a goal-threat than Best? No mate. But it's six-and-two-threes.

 

Bar a purple patch from Best very early on, and a couple of fleeting Zidane-like performances from Shola... both have been fairly ineffective on the whole this season. I'm not confident about either of them coming into the side, but i'd go with Shola for QPR. He played well last night, too.

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Guest Roger Kint

Fwiw, I'd like to see:

 

                  Krul

Simpson  Willicini  Santon

Raylor  Abeid  Vuckic  Obertan

                Ben Arfa

                  Best

 

WTF's that???

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Guest Roger Kint

A rest for Jonas and Cabaye.

 

Not sure we can afford that midfield like, asking too much of virtually untried kids.

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A rest for Jonas and Cabaye.

 

Not sure we can afford that midfield like, asking too much of virtually untried kids.

 

I think so too. Shame, because it would be nice to rest some of our players after the last couple of weeks.

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Guest Roger Kint

A rest for Jonas and Cabaye.

 

Not sure we can afford that midfield like, asking too much of virtually untried kids.

 

I think so too. Shame, because it would be nice to rest some of our players after the last couple of weeks.

 

Totally agree on the rest part but no chance of Pardew chancing the game too much in the bargain. Can probably see Gosling/Perch or even Smith before that combo in the middle. Also cant see past a Sammy start tbh

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