ICELAND’S biggest Blackburn Rovers fans enjoyed a first-time trip to Ewood Park - despite the result.

Ívar Pétursson, Thor Sveinsson and Arnar Þór Samúelsson made the 1,800-mile round trip to Lancashire to watch their favourite football team at home for the first time.

The trio flew to Blackburn on Friday and watched the match while wearing matching Rovers home shirts.

Mr Sveinsson, 32, said the club's security officer, Stuart Caley, had sought out the group after reading about them in the Lancashire Telegraph.

Mr Caley took them to the dressing rooms, the trophy cabinet and allowed them to go pitch side after the match.

Mr Sveinsson said: "It turned out Mr Caley had visited Isafjorour three times while on a cruise holiday.

"It was a brilliant game and a brilliant experience."

The friends who live in Reykjavik, Isafjorour and Kópavogur, in Iceland, stayed a couple of nights before heading back to their home country yesterday.

The Potters took home all three points through a first half strike by Oghenekaro Etebo.

Mr Pétursson, 33, said the experience was fantastic and was pleased they all got to see the match.

He said: "It was brilliant. There was a great atmosphere and everyone was super friendly.

"There was good weather, plenty of beer - nothing to complain about."