BLACKBURN Rovers' bold £4million bid for Manchester United hero Eric Cantona was deadly serious, swears owner Jack Walker.

Yet, even if it was promptly turned down with scorn at Old Trafford and is seen as more impish than in earnest, Rovers' fans won't mind.

For they and, we are sure, the Ewood Park authorities have been fed up and frustrated by the summer-long dirty tricks campaign being waged by United's tabloid press stooges - that of trying to unsettle and poach Rovers ace Alan Shearer against a background of bids, talk of staggering sums and ridiculous rumour.

Thus, if there is an element of mischief in the approach for Cantona - and, oh, how the thought of losing him must cause palpitations among the United hordes - it will be appreciated here in East Lancashire as a welcome instance of Old Trafford being given a taste of its own medicine.

Two can play that game, says Uncle Jack.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.