A FOOTBALL club's disabled fans today received an apology after players and directors failed to turn up at their Christmas party.

Blackburn Rovers Disabled Supporters Club complained when they were quoted £5.95 a head for a potato pie supper after trying to arrange their festive celebrations at Ewood Park.

They decided to hold the party at Mill Hill Working Men's Club instead but were amazed when the club failed to send a representative.

The disabled supporters' club, which has Jack Walker as patron, has 150 season ticket holders who are allowed to use the front row at the ground.

Treasurer David Holmes said the prices quoted by Ewood Park catering company Ring and Brymer would have forced them to charge £7.50 for tickets to the party. And in a letter to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, chairman Brian Booth said the Blackburn directors and players were sent individual invitations to the party.

But he added: "Not one bothered to turn up and with the exception of Kevin Gallacher, Graeme Le Saux, Jeff Kenna and Derek Fazackerley didn't even bother to take the time to reply.

"When you consider that all of our members suffer from various forms of disability and sit out in all kinds of weather to watch matches at Ewood Park, you wouldn't think it beyond the bounds of reason for at least a few players to turn up for just half an hour to sign autographs and have photographs taken."

Mr Booth said the evening was still a great success, despite the disappointment.

Blackburn Rovers secretary Tom Finn said: "In previous years, the request for somebody to attend this function has been co-ordinated internally but for some reason that didn't happen this year.

"We are sorry we weren't represented and we will make sure we are in future."

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