2024–25 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season

The 2024–25 season is the 137th season in the history of Blackburn Rovers Football Club and their seventh consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup.

Blackburn Rovers
2024–25 season
OwnerVenky's London Ltd.
CEOSteve Waggott
Head CoachJohn Eustace
StadiumEwood Park

Season summary

May

On 18 May 2024, Rovers announced their retained list, The club confirmed they activated the one-year options in the contracts of Sam Gallagher & Tyrhys Dolan, meaning the attacking duo will remain contracted to the club for a further 12 months, discussions are ongoing with Kyle McFadzean & John Fleck while Sam Barnes, Lenni Cirino, Ben Fyles, Jay Haddow, Jared Harlock, Ethan Walker & Charlie Weston, along with second year scholar Ben Thirkill, will not be retained by the club upon the expiration of their current agreements.[1]

June

On 14 June 2024, Rovers announced the appointments of Rudy Gestede as Head of Football Operations, replacing Gregg Broughton, and the return of John Park as Head of Recruitment, replacing Sean Kimberley.[2]

Backroom staff
As of 15 June 2024[3]

Senior football
Position Staff
Head Coach John Eustace
Head of Football Operations Rudy Gestede
Head of Recruitment John Park
Assistant Head Coach Keith Downing
Assistant Head Coach Matt Gardiner
First-Team Coach David Lowe
Goalkeeping Coach Ben Benson
First Team Technical Coach & Head of Player Development Damien Johnson
Lead Sports Scientist Karl Hodges
Consultant Dr. Chris Dalton
Head of Medical Services Andrew Procter
Head of Performance Analysis Adam Collins
Kit Manager Paul Schofield

Academy football
Position Staff
Head of Academy Stuart Jones
Head of Academy Coaching Jordan McCann
Under-21s Lead Coach Mike Sheron
Under-18s Lead Coach Ryan Kidd
Head of Academy Sports Science and Medical Russ Wrigley
Head of Academy Recruitment Michael Cribley
Academy Secretary Dawn Dunn

Current squad

Players and squad numbers last updated on 1 February 2024. List is representative of players who have made an appearance for the first-team this season and of information available on Rovers.co.uk.[4]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nat. Name Date of birth & age Year joined Contract expires Joined from Other Ref
Goalkeepers
GK Joe Hilton (1999-10-11) 11 October 1999 2019 2025 Everton [5]
GK Aynsley Pears (1998-04-23) 23 April 1998 2020 2027 Middlesbrough [6]
GK Leopold Wahlstedt (1999-07-04) 4 July 1999 2023 2026 Odd [7]
Defenders
DF Jake Batty (2005-04-05) 5 April 2005 2021 2025 Academy [8]
DF Callum Brittain (1998-03-12) 12 March 1998 2022 2026 Barnsley [9]
DF Hayden Carter (1999-12-17) 17 December 1999 2014 2027 Academy [10]
DF Patrick Gamble (2003-10-03) 3 October 2003 2010 2025 (+1) Academy Option for 12 month extension [11]
DF Dominic Hyam (1995-12-20) 20 December 1995 2022 2025 Coventry City [12]
DF Kyle McFadzean (1987-02-28) 28 February 1987 2024 2024 Coventry City
DF Connor O'Riordan (2003-10-19) 19 October 2003 2024 2028 Crewe Alexandra [13]
DF Harry Pickering (1998-12-29) 29 December 1998 2021 2027 (+1) Crewe Alexandra Option for 12 month extension [14]
DF Scott Wharton (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 2010 2027 Academy [15]
Midfielders
MF John Buckley (1999-10-13) 13 October 1999 2006 2027 Academy [16]
MF John Fleck (1991-08-24) 24 August 1991 2024 2024 Sheffield United
MF Jake Garrett (2003-03-10) 10 March 2003 2013 2027 Academy [17]
MF Zak Gilsenan (2003-05-08) 8 May 2003 2019 2025 (+1) Liverpool Option for 12 month extension [18]
MF Joe Rankin-Costello (1999-07-26) 26 July 1999 2014 2027 Academy [19]
MF Sammie Szmodics (1995-09-24) 24 September 1995 2022 2026 (+1) Peterborough United Option for 12 month extension [20]
MF Lewis Travis (1997-10-16) 16 October 1997 2014 2026 Academy [21]
MF Sondre Tronstad (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 2023 2026 Vitesse [22]
Forwards
FW Tyrhys Dolan (2001-12-28) 28 December 2001 2020 2025 Preston North End [1]
FW Sam Gallagher (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 2019 2025 Southampton [1]
FW Ryan Hedges (1995-07-08) 8 July 1995 2022 2025 (+1) Aberdeen Option for 12 month extension [23]
FW Harry Leonard (2003-09-12) 12 September 2003 2013 2027 Academy [24]
FW Dilan Markanday (2001-08-20) 20 August 2001 2022 2025 (+1) Tottenham Hotspur Option for 12 month extension [25]
FW Arnór Sigurðsson (1999-05-15) 15 May 1999 2023 2025 CSKA Moscow [26]
FW Semir Telalović (1999-12-23) 23 December 1999 2023 2026 (+1) Borussia Mönchengladbach Option for 12 month extension [27]
FW Jack Vale (2001-03-03) 3 March 2001 2017 2025 (+1) Academy [28]

Transfers

In
Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
15 June 2024LW Aodhan Doherty[lower-alpha 1] LinfieldUndisclosed[29]
  1. Initially signed for the Under-21s

Out
Date Pos Player To Fee Ref

Loaned in
Date Pos Player From Date until Ref

Loaned out
Date Pos Player To Date until Ref

Released / Out of Contract
Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Join date Ref.
30 June 2024CB Sam Barnes Barrow1 July 2024[1][30]
30 June 2024LB Lenni Cirino[1]
30 June 2024LW Ben Fyles[1]
30 June 2024RB Jay Haddow[1]
30 June 2024CM Jared Harlock[1]
30 June 2024CB Ben Thirkill[1]
30 June 2024LW Ethan Walker Ayr United1 July 2024[1][31]
30 June 2024CM Charlie Weston[1]

Pre-season and friendlies

On 16 May, Rovers announced their first three pre-season friendlies, against Accrington Stanley, Wigan Athletic and Stockport County.[32] A month later, a further two fixtures was confirmed, against Tranmere Rovers behind closed doors and Morecambe. On 28 June, a pre-season training camp in Austria was also confirmed, along with a friendly against 1. FC Nürnberg.[33]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

6 July 2024 Friendly Accrington Stanley v Blackburn Rovers Accrington
14:00 BST Stadium: Crown Ground
Note: 2 x 60min matches
13 July 2024 Friendly Blackburn Rovers v Tranmere Rovers Blackburn
TBC BST Stadium: Blackburn Rovers Senior Training Centre
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
20 July 2024 Friendly 1. FC Nürnberg v Blackburn Rovers Kössen, Austria
17:00 CEST
(16:00 BST)		 Stadium: Kaiserwinkl Arena
26 July 2024 Friendly Morecambe v Blackburn Rovers Morecambe
19:30 BST Stadium: Mazuma Mobile Stadium
27 July 2024 Friendly Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers Wigan
15:00 BST Stadium: Brick Community Stadium
2 August 2024 Friendly Stockport County v Blackburn Rovers Stockport
19:30 BST Stadium: Edgeley Park

Competitions

Championship
Main article: 2024–25 EFL Championship

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Blackburn Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Promotion to the Premier League
2 Bristol City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Burnley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Qualification for the Championship play-offs
4 Cardiff City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Coventry City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Derby County 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played: 10 August 2024. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[34]

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Last updated: pre-season.
Source: Soccerway

Matches

On 26 June, the Championship fixtures were announced.[35]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

9 August 2024 1 Blackburn Rovers v Derby County Blackburn
20:00 BST Stadium: Ewood Park

FA Cup
Main article: 2024–25 FA Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

EFL Cup
Main article: 2024–25 EFL Cup

On 27 June, the draw for the first round was made, with Blackburn being drawn away against Stockport County.[36]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

13 August 2024 First round Stockport County v Blackburn Rovers Edgeley
19:45 BST Stadium: Edgeley Park

Statistics

Appearances and goals
As of pre-season

List includes all first team players and any other matchday squad players

No. Pos Nat Player TotalChampionshipFA CupEFL Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
— GK  ENG Joe Hilton 000+000+000+00
— GK  ENG Aynsley Pears 000+000+000+00
— GK  SWE Leopold Wahlstedt 000+000+000+00
Defenders
— DF  ENG Jake Batty 000+000+000+00
— DF  ENG Callum Brittain 000+000+000+00
— DF  ENG Hayden Carter 000+000+000+00
— DF  ENG Patrick Gamble 000+000+000+00
— DF  SCO Dominic Hyam 000+000+000+00
— DF  ENG Kyle McFadzean 000+000+000+00
— DF  IRL Connor O'Riordan 000+000+000+00
— DF  ENG Harry Pickering 000+000+000+00
— DF  ENG Scott Wharton 000+000+000+00
Midfielders
— MF  ENG John Buckley 000+000+000+00
— MF  SCO John Fleck 000+000+000+00
— MF  ENG Jake Garrett 000+000+000+00
— MF  IRL Zak Gilsenan 000+000+000+00
— MF  ENG Joe Rankin-Costello 000+000+000+00
— MF  IRL Sammie Szmodics 000+000+000+00
— MF  ENG Lewis Travis 000+000+000+00
— MF  NOR Sondre Tronstad 000+000+000+00
Forwards
— FW  ENG Tyrhys Dolan 000+000+000+00
— FW  ENG Sam Gallagher 000+000+000+00
— FW  WAL Ryan Hedges 000+000+000+00
— FW  ENG Harry Leonard 000+000+000+00
— FW  ENG Dilan Markanday 000+000+000+00
— FW  ISL Arnór Sigurðsson 000+000+000+00
— FW  GER Semir Telalović 000+000+000+00
— FW  WAL Jack Vale 000+000+000+00

References
  1. "Retain List confirmed". Blackburn Rovers FC. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  2. "Rovers confirm key appointments". Blackburn Rovers FC. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  3. "Staff". Blackburn Rovers F.C. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  4. "First Team – Rovers.co.uk". Rovers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  5. "Hilton's here to stay!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 28 March 2023.
  6. "Pears pens new deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. "Swedish stopper signs!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  8. "Batty pens pro deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 25 October 2022.
  9. "Rovers land great Brittain!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 21 July 2022.
  10. "Carter commits!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 30 March 2022.
  11. "Pat pens new deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  12. "Dom deal done!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  13. "O'Riordan is a Rover". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  14. "Pickering pens new deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  15. "Scott signs new deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  16. "Buckley signs new long-term deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 2 September 2022.
  17. "Garrett pens new long-term deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  18. "Zak extends Ewood stay". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  19. "Joe's here to stay!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  20. "Sammie nets new long-term deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  21. "Trav signs new long-term deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 11 March 2022.
  22. "Sondre signs!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 15 June 2023.
  23. "Ryan is a Rover!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  24. "Harry's here to stay!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 29 July 2023.
  25. "Rovers sign Spurs starlet!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  26. "Sigurdsson signs permanent Rovers deal". Blackburn Rovers FC. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  27. "Semir signs". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  28. "Vale signs new long-term deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 24 October 2022.
  29. "Rovers complete Doherty deal!". Blackburn Rovers FC. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  30. "Sam Barnes Signs For Barrow AFC". Barrow AFC. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  31. . Barrow AFC. 18 June 2024 https://x.com/AyrUnitedFC/status/1803148189039464627?t=v_j23uvUp9zyur9Vy-uKug&s=19. Retrieved 18 June 2024. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. "Pre-season plans taking shape". Blackburn Rovers FC. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  33. "Nurnberg friendly confirmed!". Blackburn Rovers FC. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  34. "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  35. "Derby at Blackburn and Blades visit Preston to start Championship". British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  36. "Carabao Cup Round One draw confirmed". English Football League. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
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