FOOTBALL fans are campaigning for a short-cut to Ewood Park to be made official.

Hundreds of Blackburn Rovers supporters use the field, at the bottom of Manxman Road, to get to the ground for home games.

The field is to the side of the Manxman pub, with Sunnybank Road, the road that leads off Manxman Road, running across the top.

Many fans use the Manxman estate to park up, and make their way to the ground, with the exit via Roman Road often far less congested after the game than the main routes through the town.

Although providing the ideal short-cut, the field can become difficult to navigate during wet weather.

Rovers fan Mark Ashworth, 25, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, said he decided action needed to be taken when he saw an elderly fan slip and fall before Saturday’s game against Fulham.

He said: “I was slipping about on the hill and saw a load of people stood around doing nothing.

“When I got closer I saw it was a man on the floor with his leg strapped up and a paramedic.

“He had slipped and fallen down the hill. It shocks me that no-one has ever thought of getting a path on the hill before.

“I put messages out on Twitter and Facebook asking people if they agreed and I’ve had a lot of support for the issue.

“I just hope the council will do something about it.”

A spokesperson confirmed Blackburn with Darwen Council owns the land and was looking into the issue.

A spokesman for Blackburn Rovers said: “Anything that would help fans get to the ground easier would be welcomed by us. The safety of the supporters is paramount, and if putting a path on the hill makes it safer, then we would certainly support the idea.”

Acting chairman of Blackburn Rovers Supporters’ Trust Duncan Miller said: “The hill on Manxman Road has been used as a short-cut for Rovers fans for many many years.

“But in the winter it can be treacherous and people can get very muddy ambling down the hill. If someone could get a path installed to help fans get safely down there, it would be brilliant news.”