THE memory of cup-winning Blackburn Rovers captain Harry Healless has been honoured with a commemorative plaque at the house he owned just yards from Ewood Park.

Harry led the Rovers side which won the FA Cup in 1928, and his strong running, tough tackling and aerial strength made him a commanding figure in the half-back line for over a decade.

He played for Rovers until he was 40 and was capped for England twice. He returned to Ewood Park in 1951 as senior coach, and died in 1972.

Rovers' rising young star Damien Duff was among those who met Harry's son Frank at the former player's house in Top o' th' Croft, Blackburn, a row of cottages next to the ground behind the Darwen End.

Frank, 84, who still lives in Blackburn, brought along his father's cup medal and his own ticket from the Wembley final. The items are so precious to him that they are kept in a bank safe.

The unveiling ceremony was also attended by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Coun Peter Greenwood, chairman of the Blackburn Civic Society Roy Walsh, Blackburn Rovers chairman Rob Coar and former Rovers stars Bryan Douglas and Ronnie Clayton.

The history of the house was discovered by the present owners Geoff and Lynn Hindle, who are keen historians. The commemorative blue plaque was provided by Blackburn Civic Society, who helped the couple in their bid to mark the history of the cottage.

Lynn said: "I was tracing the history of the cottages, which date back to the 1790s. The name Healless kept coming up, and Geoff wondered if it was related to the Rovers player."

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