AS the 20th anniversary of the greatest triumph in Rovers’ modern day history dawns, the legacy left by the man who made it all possible lives on.
The Premiership winners’ trophy, which sits proudly in the magnificent stand he built and which shares his name, is proof of that.
And you only have to listen to the supporters who were privileged to live through the unforgettable 1994-95 campaign to realise he has provided memories that will last a lifetime.
But perhaps Jack Walker’s greatest gift is the one that keeps on – and must keep on – giving.
Rewind back 25 years, when the steel magnate with a heart of gold truly started to pump his millions into his beloved Rovers, the club, on the pitch at least, was not dissimilar to the one it is now.
Back then Walker’s wealth, ambition and drive transformed it from Second Division hopefuls to top-flight champions in the space of five incredible, never-to-be-repeated seasons.
But fast forward to the present day and, due to the staggering financial mistakes Rovers made after they were relegated for the first time since Walker passed, they could not spend their way of the Championship even if they wanted to.
And, even after the club has its embargo for failing Financial Fair Play lifted, it will still be limited by what it can spend.
That is why the club’s Academy, the brainchild of the visionary Walker, is going to be more important than ever.
If Rovers are restricted in what they can do in the market, then they need to produce players from within.
And, as Gary Bowyer’s senior side’s encouraging end to a frustrating campaign proved, they are starting to come through again.
David Raya will start next season as a genuine challenger for the number one spot while Darragh Lenihan is now considered a first-team member after he coped admirably after being thrown in at the deep end.
And they are not alone.
John O’Sullivan will return to pre-season training determined to show Bowyer he is ready for a place in his starting line-up, Ryan Nyambe is tipped to make the breakthrough sooner or later, and then there is Connor Mahoney, the Blackburn-born, lifelong Rovers supporter who became the third youngest player to represent the club when he came on for his debut in the FA Cup at Manchester City last season.
You cannot ask too much of young players, particularly ones like Mahoney and Nyambe, who are still growing, both physically and mentally.
But what a sight it would be, one day in the future, to see them lining-up alongside fellow Academy graduates like Grant Hanley, Adam Henley and Jason Lowe.
That was Walker’s dream and, hopefully, it is one that can be realised again and again.
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