Ewood Beat

Rovers talk Turkey with Euro rivals

Blackburn Rovers have given the thumbs up to security proposals for their forthcoming UEFA Cup tie in Turkey later this month.

Club secretary Tom Finn and safety officer John Newsham returned from a reconnaissance mission to Ankara last night.

And they declared themselves satisfied with arrangements for the tie against Genclerbirligi SK on September 24.

"We met with police and club officials to discuss the arrangements for our supporters and we are sure that we are going to take an allocation of tickets for the game," said Finn.

"They assured us that there was never a problem with Blackburn fans travelling to Ankara.

"We plan to put procedures in place similar to those for our trip to Bulgaria last season."

When the draw was first made last week, there were initial security concerns given the recent spate of trouble between England and Turkey fans.

But, after consulting with the FA and checking the facilities out for themselves, Ewood officials are now convinced that fans can travel in safety.

Official travel information and ticket details are expected to be announced on Monday with Rovers likely to receive an allocation of 1,000 tickets for the first round tie.

"The club will be chartering a special plane for the match and we expect to release details on that shortly," said Finn.

"As for those fans who will not be travelling as part of that group, they will be able to buy tickets for the match from the club but we will require details of how they intend to travel and where they intend to stay."

Meanwhile, Rovers said they were impressed with the facilities at Genclerbirligi's Mayis Stadium.

"The stadium is nice and clean," added Finn.

"It was built in 1958 but it looks more modern than that. Our fans are set to be accommodated down one side of the pitch.

"The playing surface was also very good and the dressing rooms and facilities for the players were very clean, too.

"As for Ankara itself, it's a modern city which is going through some regeneration.

"We were very impressed by the welcome we got from the club and everyone else involved in arrangements for the game."

Who are you calling dirty, Dennis?

I'VE never been Dennis Wise's biggest fan and he slipped even further down in my estimation last weekend.

In some parts, the former Wimbledon and Chelsea 'star' is affectionately known as 'Mighty Mouse.'

But maybe he should be re-named 'Mighty Mouth' given some of his 'incisive' comments in the Chelsea programme ahead of Rovers' game at Stamford Bridge.

In an article entitled 'We know about Blackburn Rovers,' Dennis gave us the benefit of his vast experience with a low-down on Rovers, from the championship-winning squad of 1995 to his own personal memories of visits to Ewood.

On the ground itself, he commented: "Ewood Park is okay but it's a funny stadium. People leaving the ground walk in front of it, near the side of the pitch."

Then what about this for a classic 'pot calling the kettle black' moment when it came to describing Billy McKinlay.

"There was always Sherwood against me in midfield. Then there was this little Scottish fella -- what was his name? McKinlay! He thought he was a player, but what he really did was run about trying to kick people."

Now who does that remind you of?

Roman the red...

TALKING of Chelsea, one of the most bizarre moments of last week's trip was a rousing rendition of the traditional Russian song 'Kalinka' over the PA system before kick-off.

For those who don't know already, the 'kalinka' is a juniper berry and the 'malinka' is a raspberry.

They are traditional offerings of love and fertility and the song starts: 'Kalinka, Kalinka, Kalinka maya, f sadu, yagoda malinka, malinka, maya.'

Sadly, Roman Abramovich -- Chelsea's new Russian billionaire owner -- looked slightly embarrassed as the crowd belted out the tune in his honour.

But then again I suppose he did have Ken Bates sat next to him signing it in his ear which is enough to turn anyone's stomach.

Emily joins the American revolution

WHEN Blackburn Rovers recruit top goalkeepers the buck certainly stops with America.

For following in the glove prints of Brad Friedel and David Yelldell comes Emily Holbrook -- Rovers' first ever all-American female goalkeeper.

Rovers' Ladies have snapped up the 23-year-old stopper from Michigan on a provisional one-year contract with a view to a longer deal.

Originally from Canada, Emily had a recent spell with Charlton Athletic but she's now opted to join Rovers and she's relishing turning out in the Northern Combination.

"I've played quite a bit of College football in the States, mostly in men's teams as I felt some of the girals lacked heart, and I'm really looking forward to teaming up with Blackburn.

"I know a fair bit about the club already having followed Brad's match-winning performances on TV back home and if I can make anywhere near the kind of impact that he's made then I'll be well pleased."

Andy McNally, manager of Rovers' Ladies, added: "Emily really strengthens our squad as we set our sights on promotion this coming season.

"She's certainly impressed us in pre-season with her all round ability and I'm sure she'll settle in well, just like Rovers' other American number one."

Pass the plunger, Souey

BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness might have one of the most recognisable faces in football but he still gets mistaken for other people from time to time.

At Christie Park on Wednesday night, for instance, Morecambe kit-man Tom Sawyer managed to get Souey mixed up with the local plumber.

A source close to the club explained: "Tom was waiting for a plumber to turn up on Wednesday night because we've been having problems with the showers.

"So when he saw this guy in the distance who appeared to look similarly dressed he shouted 'Hey, the showers are this way.'

"You can imagine his embarrassment then when it turned out to be Graeme Souness."

Scouts are queuing up

THE Premiership transfer window might have slammed shut but that failed to stop a posse of scouts from turning up to watch Rovers reserves in action against Leeds on Wednesday night.

Representatives from Liverpool, Bolton, Manchester City and Preston North End, amongst others, were all in attendance at Morecambe's Christie Park.

And of course Oldham boss Iain Dowie was also present, too, together with former Stockport striker Brett Angell who was reported to be watching Michael Taylor.

Saint is a sinner

I MUST add my own personal footnote to the diatribe Ian St John tries to pass off as his weekly column in the Sunday Post.

For those who missed it, the 'Saint' tried to claim that Barry Ferguson had made a 'monumental error' in quitting Rangers for Blackburn Rovers on the grounds that playing in a couple of Old Firm games a season constitutes a bigger challenge than playing for a top six Premier League team.

Thankfully, Barry sees that differently and so do the vast majority of the football public.

So I'm sorry, Saint. I'd prefer to remember you as the straight man who sat alongside Jimmy Greaves on the cult Saturday lunchtime TV show 'Saint and Greavsie,' not some fading pundit trying to be deliberately controversial for controversy's sake.