Fan-attics


THE visit of Blackburn Rovers to Upton Park always rekindles many great memories and standing tall amongst them is the 1940 War Cup final which took place at Wembley in front of 42,399 fans. On the day it was Sammy Small's goal that ensured the claret and blue faithful enjoyed a little relief from the European conflict. Any of you with the good fortune to possess a copy of the programme will be pleased to know your investment is now worth around £400. Even a printed replica sells for over £20.
 
For both Blackburn and Hammers fans the game between the clubs on Boxing Day 1963 stands as a landmark in the history of these proud teams. It was on this occasion when West Ham United suffered their heaviest ever defeat, 8-2, to a rampant Blackburn team. The programme sells for just a few pounds but far more valuable is the memory of Ron Greenwood replacing Martin Peters with Eddie Bovington to shape a team which remained unchanged throughout the successful 1964 FA Cup winning run. West Ham returned to Ewood Park just two days after the Boxing Day debacle to win 3-1 which provided an early indication of the club's changing fortunes.



Perhaps the greatest memory Blackburn fans hold involving West Ham United comes from the match between Hammers and Manchester United in 1995 when Ludo Miklosko somehow, some way, kept United's frontline at bay to ensure the Premiership trophy went to Kenny Dalglish's Blackburn Rovers. I wonder if Harry ever received that case of champagne promised to him?

Blackburn fans will be pleased to know that memorabilia from their club's great achievements is appreciating in value. A replica Alan Shearer shirt from the Premiership championship season signed by the whole team recently sold for a few hundred pounds while the programme from the 1960 FA Cup final versus Wolves is now commanding £20 if including the original song sheet.

There was a smashing old postcard of the victorious FA Cup winning team of 1928. The win against the mighty Huddersfield was the sixth time that Rovers had lifted the F.A. Cup and they remain the only club in existence to have won it three times in succession, 1884,1885,1886, and almost repeated the feat when they won in 1890 and 1891. 

The Charity Shield from 1994 versus Manchester United is also selling for around the £20 mark while the away programme against Legia Warsaw in Blackburn's only Champions League appearance can be snapped up for £25 pounds.

Perhaps the biggest bargain for Blackburn fans is the programme from their victorious League Cup final victory over Spurs in 2002. Priced at a giveaway £5 the memory is as pleasing to both sets of fans at Upton Park on Saturday!
Let's hope today's programme will be part of a successful season for both teams.

Until the next time keep your eyes open and your wallets fat!