BLACKBURN Rovers chairman John Williams has vowed to act after it was discovered the grave of the club's founder was in a derelict state.

John Lewis, a coachbuilder and promoter of the Temperance Movement, launched the club in 1875.

But author Peter Lupson, in research for a new book, has discovered Mr Lewis' long-forgotten grave in Blackburn Municipal Cemetery.

It was overgrown and derelict, but has now been tidied up a little.

Mr Williams said he was keen for the club to mark the grave and to highlight the role that Mr Lewis played in the creation of Blackburn Rovers.

He said: "I have spoken to Mr Lupson about his book and some of his discoveries are very interesting.

"We had no idea that the grave of John Lewis was there or that it was in a poor state.

"We would very much like to mark the grave in some way to recognise the very important role in the club's history but it must be done properly."

He said through the club's chaplain, Rovers would attempt to find Mr Lewis' family before making any decision on what happens with the grave.

During research for his book, Thank God for Football, which examines the religious roots of 12 Premiership clubs, Mr Lupson discovered John Lewis' grave.

He said: "It was a shock that I found Mr Lewis' grave in the state I did.

"It was badly overgrown and neglected. He was such an important man for the club and the town.

"The grave was very hard to find in such a large cemetery and it was in a bad state.

"I've been happy to pass on all of my discoveries to the club and I hope there is something they can do."

Mr Lewis grew up in Shrewsbury but moved to Blackburn as a young man.

He was a player for Rovers for many years but had to stop after an ice skating accident.

As well as playing in the club's first match, Mr Lewis also helped found the Lancashire Football League.

He then became involved in refereeing and rose to be one of the top officials in the world. He died in 1926 aged 70.

He founded Blackburn Rovers after staging a meeting with public schoolboy friend Arthur Constantine at St Leger Hotel, King William Street.