Rovers will open the upper tier of the Blackburn End for next weekend’s home game with Stoke City to attract a ‘Next Generation’ of supporters.

Over 2,500 supporters will be given the chance to attend the game as the club and Community Trust join forces. The Community Trust say they have received over 3,500 requests for the 2,500 available tickets offered to schools, community groups and charities, with more than 1,400 of the tickets taken up by children.

Chief executive Steve Waggott said:  “Our mission is to always try and create a buzz and excitement around the idea of coming to watch live football and our plans for the 'Next Generation game' are certainly going to fit that bill.

“I’m very pleased to hear that there was such a high demand for the concept when it was offered out to the many deserving groups by our award-winning Community Trust and I’m sure that it will be a day to remember for everybody that attends.

“We are taking a pro-active approach to showcasing our fantastic family facilities to thousands of potential new Blackburn Rovers supporters and we trust that they’ll enjoy it just as much as all those who are already taking full advantage of them all on a regular basis.”

There will be no tickets available to purchase for this fixture in the Blackburn End Upper Tier

“It’s fantastic news that there is such an appetite for Blackburn Rovers among the many worthy causes that we partner or support that an allocation of 2,500 tickets went in just a couple of weeks, meaning that we’d filled all the available seats three weeks before the fixture," Community Trust chief executive officer, Gary Robinson

“That figure would have been even higher had it not been for the need to close applications due to demand having exceeded supply so dramatically.

“A large number of those attending as part of our first Next Generation fixture will be first time fans, with many of the tickets going to families whose personal circumstances normally prevent them from being able to attend professional football on a regular basis.

“We’re proud to have been able to help deliver this wonderful concept and hope that it will make a lot of local families very happy; the perfect complement to our year-round charitable work.”