FOOTBALL fans have always held a particular soft spot for the talented rogues that ply their trade playing the beautiful game.

In my 50 years of following football, the names of Stan Bowles; Rodney Marsh; Frank Worthington; Gazza and, of course, George Best conjure up images and memories that can’t help but produce a smile.

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You may be surprised to learn that the equivalent football genius ‘bad boy’ of the late 19th century hailed from Blackburn.

Jack Reynolds was born in the town in 1869 but spent most of his childhood years in Ireland – this partly explains how he has the unique claim to fame of turning out for both Ireland and England.

Indeed, he is the only player, barring own goals, to score both for and against England.

By the age of 15 in the mid 1880s, we know he was back in Blackburn and that he turned out for Blackburn Rovers Reserves.

He went on to spend a season at a lesser known town club, Blackburn Park Road who entered the FA Cup, then known as The English Cup, for over several years.

Jack played wing-back or occasionally as a winger and was a talented footballer despite being only five feet, four inches tall.

Capped for Ireland, he won the FA cup with West Bromwich Albion in 1892, scoring in a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, who he later joined.

With Reynolds in the ranks Villa won three league titles and two FA Cups, including the double in 1897.

Clearly regarded as one of the most talented footballers of his era and therefore one of the most highly paid, Reynolds also gained a reputation for drinking and womanising and went through his money like water.

As a result of his off-the-field activities his star began to wane.

His end was perhaps invariably a sad one. After retiring from football he worked as a collier, but his heavy drinking caught up with him and he died alone in a boarding house at the age of 48.

We should remember Jack as the gifted footballer of his generation and, though he never played for Rovers’ first team, as a famous son of Blackburn.

A report in 1906 summed him up: “A remarkably smart half-back. For his inches a perfect wonder.

“Knew every “trick of the trade”, and usually showed up well in big matches. Had a happy knack of scoring at critical moments. “Something of a roamer, he had the unique distinction of representing both Ireland and England in International matches.

“Had an eye to the humorous side of football.”