Stuart Metcalfe

jim mk2 - As a Blackburn lad and club stalwart, Stuart Metcalfe deserves a place in the all-time team. Rovers were in decline for much of the late 1960s and 1970s but one player who stood out both for his performances on the pitch and his loyalty to his home-town club was Metcalfe. Born in Blackburn in 1950, "Meccy" represented England at youth level, was a member of the Central League championship-winning side of 1966-67 and the next season made his first team debut at the age of 17. Many fans thought he was going to be the next Bryan Douglas with some dazzling displays on the wing. By the time he was 18, Metcalfe was a regular in the team at outside right, but he later moved into a central midfield position where he combined with Tony Parkes to help Rovers to the Third Division championship title in 1974-75. Metcalfe scored seven goals in 43 matches that season. His loyalty to the club was recognised when he was awarded a testimonial in 1978. He left Ewood in 1980 to join Carlisle United but returned to Rovers in 1982 before ending his career with Crewe. In all Metcalfe made 375 appearances for Rovers, scoring 21 goals, but more than that to the Ewood faithful he was very much a talismanic figure whose skill, ability to beat players and probing passes made him an outstanding player in a generally depressing period for the club. Stuart Metcalfe, a candidate for the Rovers Hall of Fame (if we had one !)

1864roverite - stu metcalfe for me just beating Howard Kendall

philipl - Stuart Metcalfe- very nearly a one club man for his native Blackburn. Useless left foot but his right foot was one of the best in the game during the '70s. Had the uncanny knack of making space, he could go past players with dazzling unpredictability despite being so one footed. He could score goals too, brilliant accurate screamers against Chelsea and Palace come to mind not forgeting the juggling og he potted at St James' Park when he returned to Rovers for his final appearance!