Blackburn were keen to avoid a riot at the Lancashire derby; shame nobody told the club's commercial department
By David Anderson
Published 10:44 21/10/09
I had to smile at Blackburn in the build-up to the East Lancs derby.
This first top-flight meeting between the two bitter rivals in 43 years was the biggest thing to happen there since the introduction of electricity.
Rovers were desperate not to let anyone from the club say anything to inflame the potentially-explosive game and both clubs agreed that only the manager and captains should speak.
That stance was to be applauded and no-one wanted a riot at Ewood Park on Sunday afternoon.
However this didn't stop Rovers' commercial department from doing their best to rev up the game.
They were selling T-shirts with 'Blackburn 5-0 Burnley' on them to commemorate Rovers' win when they met in 2001.
Fans visiting the club shop could also pick up a video of memorable derby victories, narrated by Simon Garner, which had been specially produced.
What a strange world we live in.
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