Bob Crompton. He made 529 League appearances for Rovers, scoring 14 goals, in an incredible career which spanned 23 years at the club. He was born in Blackburn in September 1879 and made his first appearance in 1896 at the age of 17 away at Stoke. His final game as a player would come at Bradford Park Avenue in February 1920. This outstanding full-back made 41 international appearances for England between 1902 and 1914. Captaining his Club and Country would prove to be only a springboard to further success. He became a director of the club and then honorary manager in the mid 1920’s. His 1928 side won the FA Cup, the only medal that eluded him as a player. He had a short spell at Bournemouth but returned to Ewood in 1938 to save Rovers being relegated to Division Three. He sadly died in March 1941 aged 61. Crompton had a heart attack while watching Blackburn Rovers play hated rivals Burnley. His team had just won the match 3-2. He dies that evening. His memory will live on as one of the ‘Greats’ in football for Club and Country.

Bob Crompton (front row middle) is part of this England team group photo taken in 1912. (Back row, left to right) linesman GW Simmons, reserve Charles Buchan, reserve Billy Silto; (middle row, l-r) referee J Mason, Tom Brittleton, George Holley, Tim Williamson, Bertie Freeman, Billy Wedlock, Jesse Pennington; (Front row, left to right) Jock Simpson, Frank Jefferis, Bob Crompton, George Wall, Harry Makepeace

Bill Eckersley was one of the smallest and lightest full backs to play international football but was recognised for his clean tackling and powerful kicking. He suffered knee problems during his career and finally retired from football at 35 years of age. He was just 57 when he died, but the former lorry driver from Southport will always be remembered as one of the post-war greats for both Club and Country.

Chris Thompson circa 1984-1986. Chris died a lonely death at his Black Country home in 2012 after he hit the bottle and shut himself away from friends and family, an inquest heard.

Chris Thompson’s remains were found at his home in Anderson Gardens, Tipton, on 1st June 2012. He was just 52.

The Walsall-born former Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic midfielder suffered health problems and battled an “on-off” drink problem for “some years”, his sister told a hearing.

Charity Shield game at Wembley, 1995. Rovers lost the game against Manchester United 2-0 but it was a great day out with over 20,000 Rovers fans making the trip.  Kenny Dalglish and the players had surprised Jack Walker by asking him to lead the team out at the start of the game. It was a fitting tribute to the man who has given so much to this club.