Rovers Returned

Paul Worthington & Simon Burns

Former Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers were relegated in 1999, before regaining their place in the league two years later in 2001. This podcast mini series examines what happened when 'Rovers Returned' in the subsequent 11 years until the club's second relegation in 2012.

  1. 12/06/2025

    Charlie Mulgrew

    Charlie Mulgrew endured a tough first season at Rovers with the club being relegated to League One. Rather than leaving, Mulgrew became a core part of the team that bounced back the following season and his leadership on and off the pitch was as instrumental as his goal contribution. In this episode we discuss Mulgrew’s contribution to Rovers during this period for the club and the influence he had on stabalising things after relegation. All 27 goals for Rovers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOUaUafcHW4

    37 min

  2. 11/28/2025

    Bradley Dack

    Bradley Dack became an instant fan favourite as part of his contribution to the League One promotion year. He went on to become an integral player in the Tony Mowbray era, adding flair and ability to a team that was attempting to re-establish itself in the Championship then push on up the league. Injuries ruined the later part of his time at Rovers. He never rediscovered his first year form, struggled to fit into a new system and leadership style of Jon Dahl Tomasson, eventually leaving on a free transfer. Dack's 57 goals for Rovers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv-bBOOs5Co

    38 min

  3. 11/21/2025

    Bradley Orr

    “Blackburn fans f*cking despise me” said the man himself. There have been fewer controversial players for Rovers this century than right back Bradley Orr. He became a symbol for the change in ownership and management the club went through under Venky’s and Steve Kean. We discuss Orr’s legacy at the club, the relationship he had with the fans, and whether with hindsight it was fair or not. Undr The Cosh interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj7TV7cwwC8

    38 min

  4. 11/14/2025

    Ben Marshall

    Ben Marshall was the epitome of the type of player Rovers needed to become serious contenders in the Championship. A promising young player who could play in a variety of attacking positions, blessed with excellent set piece delivery and an eye for goal, Marshall had talent in bags. On this episode we look back at his time at Rovers and ask why all these years later it felt as though Rovers never saw him deliver to his full potential. All of Marshall’s goals for Rovers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3s8Ko-S_sk Ben Marshall - Undr The Cosh interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wGw2DmTgbM

    37 min

  5. 11/09/2025

    Shane Duffy

    A deadline day signing in 2014, Duffy joined from Premier League Everton as a young prospect in the mould that manager Gary Bowyer was fond of. Duffy and Hanley had a short lived partnership that had the potential to propel Rovers up the league and challenge for promotion. As those hopes faded, Duffy’s form gained attention from other clubs and he was among the large exodus of talent as the club slipped down the table towards eventual relegation to League One. We discuss how good Duffy’s form was for Rovers, and reflect on his two (own) goal game vs Cardiff. Duffy goal vs Brentford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skFoydr6j1g Duffy own goals vs Cardiff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ8Zj9FQpcU

    37 min

  6. 10/31/2025

    Jordan Rhodes

    We are back for another season of player profile episodes, this time looking at the period after Rovers were relegated from the Premier League to the Championship. In order to mount a challenge to return to the top flight, Rovers went all-in on the signing of Jordan Rhodes for £8m from Huddersfield in 2011. In this episode we chart his time at Rovers, what he brought to the side, and debate his overall contribution during his time at the club.

    37 min

  7. 06/13/2024

    Paul Robinson

    When Brad Friedel announced he wished to leave Rovers, the club identified Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson as the preferred replacement. Robinson rebuilt his reputation at Rovers under Sam Allardyce, winning player of the season in 2011. In this episode we look at how Robinson bounced back at Rovers, and how to view his time at the club given it also coincided with the arrival of the Venky’s. Athletic interview: https://theathletic.com/1856663/2020/06/08/paul-robinson-england-croatia-leeds-tottenham-spurs-blackburn-capello-ramos-eriksson-mcclaren/

    39 min

  8. 06/06/2024

    Robbie Savage

    Robbie Savage signed for Rovers to join his former international manager Mark Hughes, and quickly became the engine of the Rovers midfield. A player fans of other clubs love to hate, Savage enjoyed success at Rovers and played some of the best football of his career in a top six side, with a European run the following year. In this episode we look at what it means to have Savage on your team. Goal against Salzburg: https://youtu.be/86QtB-qioUg?si=boiHksR2Nei-u1sE&t=53

    38 min
See All (28)

Trailer

About

Former Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers were relegated in 1999, before regaining their place in the league two years later in 2001. This podcast mini series examines what happened when 'Rovers Returned' in the subsequent 11 years until the club's second relegation in 2012.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Worthington & Simon Burns
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Paul Worthington & Simon Burns
  • Show Website
    Rovers Returned