BLACKBURN fans and officials are mourning the death of former Rovers boss John Pickering.

The 57-year-old passed away yesterday after losing a long battle against illness.

Rovers chief executive John Williams spoke for the whole board when he said: "We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all John's family."

Pickering joined Rovers from Barnsley as reserve team coach in 1975 before becoming the first team boss four years later after a short spell as caretaker.

Results did not come Pickering's way, prompting Rovers at one stage to invite former Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers manager Jimmy Arnfield to act as a consultant to Pickering.

However, he was backed by the board with his signings for the clubs including Duncan McKenzie for £75,000 from Chelsea, a then club record fee, and Mick Rathbone from Birmingham City for £40,000.

After leaving Rovers in May 1979, he then had spells with Carlisle United, Newcastle, Lincoln and Middlesbrough and he gained great respect throughout the game, particularly for his work in developing young talent in his native north-east.

As a player Pickering began his career with Newcastle United in 1963 before moving to Halifax Town for a fee of £1,250 in September of 1965.

Pickering, a strong centre back, was to forge a strong relationship with the Shaymen that continued for the rest of his career and his 367 outings for the West Yorkshire club, made between 1965 and his departure for Barnsley in 1974, remains the record number of appearances made by a player for Halifax.