FIFA president Sepp Blatter was helping with this afternoon's Worthington Cup third round draw which sees Rovers and the other sides in Europe enter the competition.

The draw was being held at Deepdale, which is to be the nome of the new national football museum - the purpose of Blatter's visit.

Worthington Cup ties are played on a one-off basis and the third round match will be staged in the week beginning Monday, October 26.

ALEX Ferguson was in the guest box at Ewood for Monday's titanic tussle with Chelsea.

Needless to say, the Old Trafford boss remained seated when the visiting fans began the ritual chorus of "Stand up if you hate Man U"!

TICKETS are on open sale for next Saturday's Premiership game against West Ham at Ewood (kick-off 3pm).

Prices are £18-25 adults, £10 concessions where applicable.

West Ham have been given the upper tier of the Darwen End and a limited number of Top Tenner seats - subject to availability - will be on sale.

THE Reserves are off to Deepdale next Wednesday night when they take on Preston North End in the Pontin's League Premier Division (7.15pm). The game has been put back 48 hours from Monday because of Rovers' European trip.

ROVERS had two home games scheduled in the Academy this afternoon. Both the under-19s and under-17s were facing Bristol City at Brockhall (2.30pm).

Next Saturday, October 3, both teams are in London. The under-17s take on Arsenal (10.45am) and the under-19s Chelsea (11am).

There is a free week for the Academy on October 10.

SPOTTED in the crowd at Monday's Sky TV game with Chelsea was Aston Villa midfielder Alan Thompson.

The ex-Bolton Wanderers star had time for a quick word with his former boss at the Reebok Stadium, Colin Todd, who was in the guest box.

Also watching was Everton manager Walter Smith, with an eye on today's game. He was accompanied by player-coach Dave Watson.

ROVERS Return winner at the Chelsea match was F Vause (Blackburn). The prize was £1,010 and winning number 20458. The autographed ball - number 21175 - went to M Miller (Blackburn).

FANS who are season-ticket holders or Supporters' Association members and are not travelling with one of the official parties to Lyon for the UEFA Cup second leg game can purchase match tickets only, under certain conditions.

Tickets, price £6, will be limited to one per person and are subject to fans filling in a booking form available from the ticket office. It requires details of travel, accommodation etc.

Rovers fans attending Tuesday's game in the Stade de Gerland will be situated in the South Stand upper tier (Virage Sud Superieur).

LATEST Double Your Money Club £500 winners are: September 12, Mrs Heaps (Blackburn), number 569A, and September 19, E Hill (Blackburn), number 173A.

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