Blackburn Rovers Column: This has just been embarrassing (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers Column: This has just been embarrassing

8:36am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Blackburn Rovers blogs By Dan Clough , Reporter

BECOMING a Blackburn Rovers fan columnist this season went some way to achieving a long-held ambition for me.

With two left feet and no co-ordination, it was the fact I could string a sentence together that may one-day get me into the sporting profession.

I idolised former Rovers reporter Peter White, and told myself one day I would have that job.

As a youngster, I would write mini match reports from Rovers – and the cricket when we went to watch Lancashire at Old Trafford – in my grandad's little notepad.

So now, here I am, in a job that gives me a chance to write about Rovers – what an anti-climax!

A year in the job and we have been relegated. I've hardly had anything positive to write about over the course of the season.

I certainly wouldn't want to be Blackburn Rovers reporter any more. I don’t envy Mr Cryer one bit.

What a farce. Absentee owners that don't have a clue. A manager with his head in the clouds. A squad exodus. Training ground bust-ups. And now this.

Eleven years as a Premier League club have come to an end. And it certainly won’t be a short road back.

When Rovers went down in 1999, there wasn't even a consideration that it would be permanent.

Uncle Jack was still alive and still putting his hands in his pockets – even if it was to bankroll the odd strange signing.

It was a blip, that was all, and everyone knew it. Now, things are much different.

In 1966, Rovers were relegated from the top flight and the absence lasted for 26 years, including further relegation to the then Third Division.

I think rather than expect a rapid rise within two years to the Premier League like in ’99, I would look forward to a long period of decline.

It’s been an enjoyable 20 years of success. Europe. the Worthington Cup. FA Cup semi-finals and, of course, the Premier League title.

But the transition period is in full swing and it appears we now just have doom and gloom to look forward to.