I don’t normally suffer from nerves, but my Testimonial has got me jangling. Perhaps it’s because I’m not quite as fit as I once was, or perhaps it’s because I’m just excited at getting the opportunity to bring together some of the finest football talent Blackburn Rovers have ever produced – past, present and future.
The plan to bring back the Champions squad of 1995 was always ambitious, and I’m delighted that so many are on the teamsheet for Sunday.
So, who’s coming?
Well, Tim Flowers and Bobby Mimms will be fighting over the goalkeeper’s jersey. Colin Hendry will definitely be there. Colin is travelling back from France for the game, and although he is nursing a strained calf and told me yesterday that he is ‘doubtful’ at best to actually play, he will be on the pitch to support me. Stuart Ripley, one of the best crossers of the ball the club has ever had, will play on the right flank. In the centre of midfield, Mark ‘Super Atko’ Atkins, whose 34 games and six goals were crucial in the Championship season, will be there to thwart the likes of Dunn, Tugay and Flitcroft. And up front we have Mike Newell, now carving out a great career in management at Hartlepool, and Kevin Gallacher, who is making similarly impressive strides through his media work.
And then we’ve got the ringers! On the left wing, and the possessor of the sweetest left foot I ever had the pleasure of sharing a pitch with, is Scott Sellars. And bolstering the strikeforce of Newell, Gallacher and Garner, is Wales legend and Rovers coach Dean Saunders, who couldn’t resist the lure of a good game.
What has made the day even more special for me is the fact that – for most fans – there’ll be a first opportunity to see some of the young stars who this week landed the under-19 FA Premier League title.
These youngsters, under the tutelage of Rob Kelly at the Academy, have had an incredible season and will be bolstering the Champions team on Sunday. It will be an honour for me that they will be able to parade their skills in front of a big crowd at Ewood Park and I can’t help thinking their fresh legs will be of benefit to our more senior performers – me included!
And of course Kenny Dalglish – who else - is set to manage the Champions team.
So what of those who are unable to make it?
From the back: Henning Berg really wanted the chance to offer a final farewell to supporters, but an injury has ruled that out. He’d initially delayed joining the Norwegian national squad, but has now joined them on time for his injury to be assessed. Ian Pearce, now at West Ham, requires an operation. Graeme Le Saux, of Chelsea, is committed to speaking at England cricketer Alec Stewart’s Testimonial.
Tim Sherwood, just promoted with Portsmouth, is another who needs the attention of the surgeon’s knife, while David Batty and Jason Wilcox both have a charity function to attend with Leeds United.
Alan Shearer’s untimely ankle-break rules the Newcastle striker out, while Chris Sutton flies to Spain on Sunday with the Celtic squad for the UEFA Cup Final, and I wish them all the best for that.
As for other players around and about in 1995 – Tony Gale is on holiday, Robbie Slater lives in Australia, Jeff Kenna is on a UEFA coaching course, Paul Warhurst is on a Bolton club trip to the Caribbean, Alan Wright is injured and Peter Thorne is involved in the play-offs with Cardiff City.
At least they all had good excuses!
And, to a man, they sent their best wishes.
As for the ‘home’ side – well, I’d better leave that to Graeme Souness to decide, though he should have Wales manager Mark Hughes at his disposal for the game.
Graeme’s team has performed wonders this year. Gaining a top six finish is a remarkable achievement, and Sunday gives us all a chance to honour that.
To sign off this week I’d like to thank my Testimonial Committee and all at Blackburn Rovers for making this event possible and, lastly and most importantly, to all the fans who have supported me, made me feel welcome and bought me drinks over the last 27 years – cheers!
I’ll see you on Sunday.