'Mourners' hold mock funeral to mark Blackburn Rovers relegation (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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'Mourners' hold mock funeral to mark Blackburn Rovers relegation
2:04pm Monday 23rd July 2012 in Blackburn
An 'undertaker' leads the procession of Rovers mourners
‘MOURNERS’ drank to the memory of Premier League football in a funeral procession for Blackburn Rovers .
One hundred and fifty fans turned out for the tradition, which dates back more than 60 years, and saw a coffin draped in a St George’s flag, carried from the Fox and Hounds pub, Albion Road, to The Aqueduct pub in Bolton Road.
At the final destination, a humorous ‘eulogy’ was read out by actors dressed as an undertaker and a priest, and glasses were raised to happy memories.
Oliver Jones, one of the organisers from Rovers fansite BRFCS.co.uk, said it was ‘a perfect day’.
He said: “It went brilliantly, there were about 150 fans in the procession carrying banners and waving flags, and it was very dignified.
“It’s been a very family-friendly atomosphere, and the good weather has made it even better.”
Since 1948, whenever Rovers have been relegated, a coffin procession has been carried out in Bamber Bridge. Last season Blackburn finished 19th under Steve Kean.
Fans of Preston North End also carry out the ritual, but due to public order issues at the Preston burial after last year’s relegation, police and licensees could not agree on a way to make the procession take place safely following Rovers dropping out of the Premier League.
Rovers fans stepped in to save the tradition, deciding to bring it to the town for supporters to enjoy.
Mr Jones added: “We didn’t want to let the tradition die, and plans are now in place to have a similar resurrection parade through Ewood if we get promoted next year.”
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Comments (35)
2:12pm Mon 23 Jul 12
verbal discharge says...
What a quaint (inbred) tradition
2:35pm Mon 23 Jul 12
Racing Rover says...
2:43pm Mon 23 Jul 12
tombo1984 says...
Also don't you dare say you are posting messages from work as we all know you guys don't work...
(luckily (or unluckily depending on how you see it) for me i work online for EA so can see your gutless scummy posts as they are entered onto the site).
2:48pm Mon 23 Jul 12
jacklowe says...
2:50pm Mon 23 Jul 12
jacklowe says...
2:52pm Mon 23 Jul 12
makaveli96 says...
3:12pm Mon 23 Jul 12
MxMave says...
3:27pm Mon 23 Jul 12
verbal discharge says...
4:35pm Mon 23 Jul 12
i know alot says...
4:40pm Mon 23 Jul 12
verbal discharge says...
Drugs are bad
4:51pm Mon 23 Jul 12
i know alot says...
6:03pm Mon 23 Jul 12
A Darener says...
6:32pm Mon 23 Jul 12
BritainfortheBritish says...
I don't support Burnley either but given the choice of the 2 it,s Burnley all the way.
I used to live in blackburn and their fans are sh..ts.
6:33pm Mon 23 Jul 12
i know alot says...
6:33pm Mon 23 Jul 12
Stafford Rover says...
6:44pm Mon 23 Jul 12
i know alot says...
6:46pm Mon 23 Jul 12
Only1Garner says...
KEAN OUT
6:55pm Mon 23 Jul 12
NICEONESUNSHINE says...
weapon
8:17pm Mon 23 Jul 12
2 for 5p says...
8:17pm Mon 23 Jul 12
2 for 5p says...
8:43pm Mon 23 Jul 12
ossybsting says...
11:18pm Mon 23 Jul 12
smellthecoffee says...
12:25am Tue 24 Jul 12
NICEONESUNSHINE says...
12:25am Tue 24 Jul 12
devo12 says...
6:44am Tue 24 Jul 12
Roverthere says...
7:55am Tue 24 Jul 12
A Darener says...
9:09am Tue 24 Jul 12
verbal discharge says...
It's a local tradition for local people.....
9:12am Tue 24 Jul 12
smellthecoffee says...
mm??????
12:11pm Tue 24 Jul 12
bankhall says...
4:31pm Tue 24 Jul 12
Bredrin says...
8:06pm Tue 24 Jul 12
ossyrover1 says...
6:08pm Wed 25 Jul 12
madari says...
Hahahahaha!!!!Nice one **** shine.....be afraid...remember the curse of the madari!!1hahahahahah
a!!!!Down!!!down!!!! like a pint of lager Deown!!drown!!!!haha
haha!!!!
8:56pm Wed 25 Jul 12
BritainfortheBritish says...
9:25am Thu 26 Jul 12
AndyW says...
9:28am Thu 26 Jul 12
AndyW says...