THE grandson of a Blackburn Rovers star of the early 20th-century wants his grandad’s memorabilia back - as he doesn’t trust the club’s owners to keep them safe.

Wattie Aitkenhead played for Blackburn Rovers from 1906 to 1918, winning two league championships with the club.

In 1991, his family donated his cap and shirt from his only international appearance for Scotland, against Ireland in 1912, to the club.

They have been on display in the Ronnie Clayton Blackburn End ever since.

But now, grandson Paul Aitkenhead has asked the club to hand them back.

The club has declined to comment on the issue.

Mr Aitkenhead, 57, said he did not trust the club’s owners, Indian poultry firm Venky’s, to look after them.

He said: “My grandfather’s Scottish shirt and cap are on the second floor of the Ronnie Clayton Stand and I have spoken to the club and asked for them back.

“As soon as Venky’s go I will be more than happy to give them back, but I don’t trust them with them.

“I don’t want to do this. I would rather keep them at Ewood Park, but it could become complicated and at least I will know that they are safe.”

Mr Aitkenhead, a clerk to a Lord Justice in London, who lives in Chelsea, said he was unhappy with the situation at Ewood.

He said: “I am very disappointed with what is happening at the club.

“What the town is famous for is the football club and it is absolutely appalling how the club has been treated.”

Scotland-born Wattie Aitkenhead was signed by Blackburn Rovers manager Robert Middleton in 1906, from Glasgow side Partick Thistle.

The centre-forward was part of the side that won the Football League title in 1912 and 1914, and finished as top scorer in the 1912 season with 15 goals.

Retiring to become managing director of Blackburn cotton mills firm Lawrence Cotton Ltd, he scored 75 goals in 239 games for the club. Wattie, who lived at Cranbrooke, Pleasington, near the Butler’s Arms, died in 1966.