Milan gesture

THOSE die-hard fans who made the long trek South to Portsmouth last Saturday must have felt pig-sick this week when they heard about Milan Mandaric's latest money-saving offer.

After seeing supporters from both Rovers and Birmingham get drenched during the last two Division One games at wind-lashed Fratton Park, the colourful Pompey chairman has decided to slash prices for away fans who get soaked in the club's roofless Milton End

As a result, admission for the December visits of Huddersfield and Sheffield United have now been reduced to just £5 for visiting fans.

"Both Huddersfield and Sheffield United supporters face an eight-hour round trip for their games at Fratton Park and while we cannot control the weather, we can at least make their trip a little more bearable," said Mandaric.

It's the Pompey chairman's second sweeping gesture of the season after he offered to refund the money of Portmouth's travelling fans after their thumping 4-0 Worthington Cup defeat at Ewood.

But, if he can afford to do that, why can't he afford to build a roof?

Gripping yarn

A LIST of stockists has now been released for Tim Barlow's off-beat account of life as a Blackburn Rovers fan.

Priced at just £5, 'Get a Grip' gives a fan's eye-view of the ups and downs at Ewood over the last two decades.

It's now available at a host of outlets including: Kaydee Bookshop and Togged Up (both Clitheroe), Uncle Jack's (Lower Darwen), Pratt's Sport shop (Mill Hill), Battersby News, Swindlehurst newsagents and Mercers (all Blackburn), Haslingden Cricket Club, Seddons Newsagents, Greetings and Neary's (all Haslingden), Whelan's Chip Shop (Clayton) and Lee's Gents Hairdressers (Oswaldtwistle). Be warned, however, this book contains strong language.

A LOT is made of Graeme Souness's hard-man image during his playing days.

But, when one hack asked Souey this week if he and Mark Hughes have had a few tasty exchanges in training recently, he was somewhat taken aback by the reply.

"Even Higgy bowls me over in a five-a-side these days," said Souey.

"I usually have to settle for wearing the yellow jersey and going in goal."

Sylvester Stallone in the Great Escape eat your heart out!

History test

THE answer to last week's teaser 'which club did Oumar Konde join after leaving Rovers' was Frieburg!

This week's question has a 125th anniversary theme: Which local club, now more famous for Lancashire League cricket, provided the opposition for Rovers' first-ever game?