BLACKBURN Rovers came agonisingly close to a cup final - but were knocked out in the semi-finals.

But this wasn’t the football team, this was a darts team made up of supporters - in New York.

The New York Rovers was established in 2006 by Jayaugust Manning-Laisne.

Originally from California, he started following Rovers after seeing USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel in action and discovering he played for Blackburn.

The players, proudly wearing Rovers colours and displaying club flags more normally seen draped around Ewood Park, took on other teams in the first Supporters Clubs NYC Darts Tournament.

The event, at George Keeley’s Pub, Amsterdam Avenue, New York, saw teams of supporters - a mix of ex-pats and soccer-mad locals - take to the oche in the name of their favourite football clubs.

The Rovers team, featuring Mr Manning-Laisne, Steven Bradley, Tim Conley and Brandon Beckstrom, just missed out on a place in the final.

Mr Bradley, originally from Preston but now living and working in New York, said: “This was very much about having fun with fellow football supporters.

“But with trophies sat shining in the corner, it was not long before a real competitive element grew.”

The team of Rovers fans beat a team of Sheffield Wednesday fans in the first round, followed by a coalition team of Watford and West Ham United supporters.

However, the Rovers team was unable to stop a group of Norwich City followers, who beat Rovers to advance into the final.

Mr Bradley said: “I am proud of the team.

“No member of the NYC Rovers has played darts in at least 10 years, and we were up against people that play every week, so you have to be happy with reaching the semi final.”