Blackburn Rovers Vs Leeds United

Matchday 86: A Visit to Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers

Ewood Park has been a ground I’ve been excited to visit ever since Blackburn Rovers’ iconic Premier League victory in 1995 under the legendary Sir Kenny Dalglish. The history and nostalgia of that era made this trip particularly special.

I had arranged to meet a lady named Christina, who kindly offered to show us around and allow us to take some pitchside photos. We planned to meet her at 11:15 in the club shop, which meant an early start to ensure we had time to find suitable parking.

We set off at 07:30 and completed the two-hour drive to Blackburn without any issues. With some extra time on our hands, we stopped by The Old Chapel, a nearby Wetherspoon pub in Darwen, where I enjoyed a quick pint, and Liam opted for a hot chocolate. Afterward, we headed to a car park at The Golden Cup pub, conveniently located near the motorway. Although the £10 parking fee was steep, the location’s practicality and concerns about my “LFC” number plate potentially being mistaken for a Leeds United fan’s car persuaded me to pay. The well-organised car park also reassured me that our car wouldn’t be blocked in.

A 15-minute walk along Bolton Road brought us to Ewood Park, and the stadium’s design immediately reminded me of Anfield. We headed to the club shop to pick up our customary matchday scarf, though unfortunately, no programmes were available.

With 15 minutes to spare before meeting Christina, we explored the stadium’s surroundings, including the statue of Jack Walker, a fitting tribute to a man who played a pivotal role in Blackburn’s history.

At 11:15, we arrived at the club shop but were redirected to reception, where we were soon greeted by Christina. She was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable about the club’s history. She guided us on a fantastic tour of the stadium, allowing us to take plenty of photos, including pitchside and next to the Premier League trophy Blackburn famously won in 1995.

A highlight of the tour was discovering the Strikers Lounge, a family-friendly area with games like Xbox, table football, and table tennis to entertain young fans. It’s a brilliant initiative, and credit to Blackburn Rovers for this thoughtful addition.

After the tour, Liam was keen on grabbing some McDonald’s, conveniently located just outside the stadium. We enjoyed a quick meal, noting how quickly the area was filling up with supporters. Once we finished, we made our way back to the stadium, easily passing through the turnstiles and heading to our seats.

Our seats in the Jack Walker Stand provided an excellent view, just five rows from the front and near the centre circle. The atmosphere was electric, especially with Leeds United fans packing the two-tiered Darwen End Stand to our left. Christina had mentioned that over 7,000 away tickets were sold, making it the only fully occupied stand in the stadium.

The match was an entertaining end-to-end contest, with both goalkeepers making impressive saves. Blackburn secured the win with a first-half penalty. Despite nine minutes of stoppage time in the second half, the match ended 1-0.

After the game, we returned to the car and enjoyed a smooth, hassle-free drive home, quickly getting onto the motorway.

A huge thank you to Christina for her time and for making our visit to Ewood Park such a memorable experience. Best of luck to Blackburn Rovers for the rest of the season!

5 Facts About Blackburn Rovers

1. Founding Members of the Football League: Blackburn Rovers were one of the 12 founding members of the Football League in 1888.
2. Premier League Champions: In the 1994-1995 season, Blackburn won the Premier League title, becoming only the second club to achieve this in the league’s modern era.
3. Historic FA Cup Wins: Blackburn has won the FA Cup six times, with their first victory dating back to 1884.
4. Jack Walker’s Legacy: The club owes much of its modern success to Jack Walker, a local businessman who invested heavily in the team during the 1990s, enabling their Premier League triumph.
5. Ewood Park’s Long History: Blackburn has played at Ewood Park since 1890, making it one of the oldest stadiums in English football.