MIKE England fears Premier League relegation could be ‘footballing armageddon’ for Blackburn Rovers after describing the next five games as among “the most important in the club’s existence”.

The former Rovers defender was part of Jack Marshall’s team who suffered the drop from the First Division back in 1966 and, despite it taking 25 years to secure a top flight return, he fears the impact of relegation would be even greater this time round.

England, 70, who made 184 appearances for the club between 1957 and 1966, believes there are issues that need to be addressed after the big changes at the club over the last 18 months but, as they fight for their Premier League lives, insists the ‘blame game’ has to wait.

Rovers travel to Swansea tomorrow three points of adrift of safety, after wins for rivals QPR and Wigan, knowing time is running out on their top flight status.

Large sections of Rovers fans remain deeply concerned about the direction the club is being taken in by owners Venky’s, while many still question manager Steve Kean’s position, but England believes the inquisition has to wait.

He said: “It is important for any club to stay in the Premier League but for a town club like Blackburn, with little money, it is even more vital they stay in there.

“I’m not just talking about the football club either, I am talking about for the town, the community and the economy.

“These five games have to be among the most important in the club’s existence, it is what it is all about. They are fighting for their history now.

“If the players want to stay in this league they have to respond and give 100 per cent to stay up. Without real fight, they are certain to go down because other clubs are showing that fight now.

“Nothing else matters apart from these five games now. Stay up and then sort out what has been going wrong. But it is much easier to do that as a Premier League club than a Championship club.

“Go down and the club as it is could be buried, cremated. Players will leave, gates will fall. They are playing for the future of the club here.”

England, who went on to play for Spurs and Wales and manage his country for almost 10 years, remembers his own relegation experience with Rovers.

He was quickly sold to Tottenham for £95,000 as Rovers had to wait until the arrival of Jack Walker to bring about a top flight return in 1992. He warns things could be even harder this time round.

“I remember going down in 1966,” he said. “We started the season very late because of a polio epidemic and we were never able to catch up.

“I remember we were selling our best players but it was easier to get back then than it will be now, even though it took Rovers a while.

“There is so much money in the Premier League now meaning it is more important than ever to stay there.

“Rovers have a beautiful stadium and some good players but things will get very difficult if they don’t survive.”

Now living back in his native north Wales, England will be keeping his fingers crossed his old club can start their road to revival as they cross the bridge to Swansea tomorrow.

He insists the situation can quickly change but has warned any repeat of the defending against Liverpool will inevitably result in relegation.

“It is so tight,” he said. “It has been a terrible week for Blackburn Rovers but who is to say someone else might not have a terrible week next time.

“I have to admit though I could not believe the defending for Liverpool’s goals on Tuesday night. It was criminal.

“If they defend like that they will go down. But I'm sure they know that and they just have to do better at Swansea.”