Jimmy Forrest

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There is a saying in football that is popular with beleagured managers who have known better times. It tends to be used by an arrogant so-and-so who believes they know better than the press or the fans or even their own players for that matter. Ferguson, Souness...those types. I'm going to use it here though not to attack anybody but to support them instead. The phrase is... "Show us your medals" If I was Jimmy Forrest I'd probably say..."show me a table that's big enough to hold 'em first pal..." I'd also be dead of course because Forrest went long ago to the football pitch in the sky but that doesn't mean we should disregard the man or his achievements. I'm not a fan of the negative type of campaigning that has been going on by those in favour of both Forrest and Sherwood. Saying people are morons if they don't vote a certain way or belittling the achievements of players because they happened so long ago. Sod it...let's look at what they achieved for Rovers instead. If you want to vote Sherwood do so and likewise if it's Forrest then fair enough. Just have a little think about it first...that's all you have to do to have grasped the point of these debates. Then vote for whoever you want and sod what the rest think. In terms of honours won with Rovers Forrest is the most succesful player we have ever had. Five FA Cup winners medals...nobody has ever beaten that, for Rovers or any other sides for that matter. They are a long time ago sure but why cast aside our history? It is after all what the club is all about...the tradition, the institution, the Rovers. Forrest stands out in our history and we are talking about him well over a century later on. Now if that doesn't make him a 'great' then nothing will. To my mind that is the definition of a great. To be remembered for their achievements. Forrest also won shedloads of other competitions with Rovers...that was when we were the greatest team in the world. It has happened very often, at most only twice (the cup-winning sides and the pre-WWI double title-winning team) and Forrest was the star of the side. Forrest used to be in the mould of an attacking central midfielder who burst forward to support the forwards in the box and latch on to any chances. It certainly worked well for him. After all...he scored in two FA Cup finals. In another two different FA Cup finals he lifted the trophy as the winning captain. Success was something that seemed to be permanently welded to Forrest. With it by his side he inspired the Rovers for twelve years. Jimmy was not one of those journeyman types who pottered around playing for this club and that. When he joined Rovers he stayed...and was a first team regular for over a decade. Captain for seven years. Seven! Not many others can beat that for service to the club. Forrest was the only player to play in all five of Rovers' FA Cup winning finals. The FA Cup was by far the most important honour available then, even more important than the Premiership is now. Some teams look to Europe...in those days there was only ever the cup, the cup, the cup. Rovers were champions five times out of eight. They were the first ever truly great footballing team. The club obviously knew a winner when they saw one...they wouldn't see another until Bob Crompton came along. Like Crompton, Forrest stayed involved with Rovers for a good twenty or so years after finishing playing. Forrest stood out in probably the greatest ever Rovers side. Just because it happened a long time ago does not mean we should forget our glorious past. It wasn't just Rovers who Forrest was a regular for. There was also England. Although his eleven caps may not sound so impressive, due to the limited number of games it was. It meant he was a regular for a good six years. Forrest also joined a select band. Rovers players who have captained England. There are but three of them. Crompton and Clayton already have their places in the 'Greatest Ever' side...Forrest is the other. Might be a good idea to have an England captain in the side eh? One last thing about Forrest...he was a Rovers fan. One of us. Born locally and devoted to the club once he joined. Like Douglas and Crompton before him he was a Roverite and a Blackburn lad. Forrest has won this poll once...winning seems to come with the territory with him. I'm not going to have a go at Sherwood to help my case for Forrest. Jimmy doesn't need me to... Jimmy Forrest - 5 FA Cup winners medals - twelve years at Rovers - local lad - England captain - A natural for the 'Greatest Ever XI'. FourLaneBlue