BLACKBURN Rovers chairman John Williams today challenged the whole town to get behind the club's bid for a top-six Premiership push next season.

Williams is convinced that manager Mark Hughes can assemble a squad this summer that is capable of mounting another charge for Europe.

But if Rovers are to continue competing at the top end of the Premiership table, then Williams believes it is absolutely vital' the club gets the full backing of its supporters, and, indeed, the town as a whole.

The Rovers chief, who has taken the bold decision to slash season ticket prices for next season as part of a major drive to attract more supporters to Ewood on a matchday, said: "This is a clarion call to everyone.

"We're looking for all the stakeholders to help the club support its efforts.

"First and foremost, that must begin at home. Here at Ewood Park, we take full responsibility for our own business, and we've done a lot of work in restructuring the way sales and marketing are working.

"We feel we've got the right product now, both in terms of price and what we are offering on the field, and we must continue to make sure we have a proper, well-orchestrated selling effort.

"So I'm throwing down the gauntlet to the management team here to make sure we execute the policies properly.

"Secondly, the real challenge is to our fan-base. I think the product is right, and the price in many instances is cheaper now than it was seven years ago.

"The challenge for the fan-base, therefore, is to respond to that.

"And thirdly, there are the other stakeholders, and by that I mean the town.

"I think it's quite incredible that, post Jack Walker, and in what is a small town in terms of population, we are still able to support a top 10 Premier League football club.

"I'm therefore looking to the city fathers to do all they can to support our efforts as well.

"I'm not talking about money, I'm talking about support in kind, and helping to fly the flag for us.

"I appreciate that not everyone in the town is a Blackburn Rovers fan, but, nevertheless, Blackburn Rovers plies its trade in Blackburn with Darwen, and I would like to see a hearts and minds campaign."

At a time when the Premier League is increasingly dominated by the big four', Williams feels the whole town should be immensely proud of Rovers' achievements.

Since Mark Hughes succeeded Graeme Souness in September 2004, Rovers have secured two successive top 10 finishes, and reached three domestic Cup semi-finals, the latest against Chelsea in the FA Cup in April.

On top of that, Rovers are also on the brink of securing a UEFA Cup spot for the second consecutive year, providing they win their two-legged Intertoto Cup tie later this summer.

That kind of European exposure not only raises the club's profile, it also helps to put the town as a whole on the map, which is why Williams believes the civic leaders should be making more of the team's success.

"I do think the club is a major asset for the town," said the Rovers chairman.

"There are only 20 clubs in the Premier League, and it's supposed to be the best and most watched league in the world, so we are flying the flag for the region, and in particular the town.

"In my wildest moments, I have visions of the A666 from Darwen Vale down to the ground painted blue and white.

"People might think I've lost the plot in saying that but, in a way, that's the kind of challenge I'm throwing down.

"Every municipal garden should only grow blue and white flowers.

"It's that kind of hearts and minds mentality I'm looking for.

"When you come in off the motorway, you should see signs saying 'Welcome to the proud home of Blackburn Rovers'.

"I think we really do need to see that kind of support.

"Perhaps we can't paint roads blue and white, but there are things that can be done to help spread the message, and I think it's important that all the stakeholders - the city fathers and others - help us to take ownership and be proud of the fact we do have a Premier League football club in the town."