2020–21 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season

The 2020–21 season is Blackburn Rovers' 133nd season as a professional football club and it will participate in the Championship for a third consecutive season.[2] Along with competing in the Championship, the club will also participate in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. The season covers the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

Blackburn Rovers

2020–21 season
CEO	Steve Waggott
Manager	Tony Mowbray[1]
Stadium	Ewood Park

Summer activity

June

On 24 June Rovers announced their retained list Danny Graham, Stewart Downing, Dominic Samuel, Jayson Leutwiler, Richie Smallwood & Sam Hart discussions will be held regarding their future at the club.

From the development squad Rovers took the option to extend Matthew Platt contract by 12 months until 2021, whilst Brad Lyons & Ben Paton have both been offered new contracts, Jordan Eastham has signed a contract till 2022 while Sam Burns, Dan Pike, Jalil Saadi, Sam Durrant & James Connelly have signed contracts until 2021. Luke Brennan & Flavien Enzo Boyomo have been offered professional contracts but have yet to sign. Chanka Zimba, Jack Evans & Charley Doyle will not be retained by the club.[3]

July

On 1 July Rovers announced the signing of young attacking midfielder Tyrhys Dolan from Preston North End on a 2 year deal following his release.[4] Rovers also announced young winger Luke Brennan has signed his 1st professional deal, a 2 year contract until 2022.[5]

On 7 July Forest Green Rovers announced the signing of Jack Evans following his release from Rovers.[6]

On 24 July Rovers announced Danny Graham, Dominic Samuel, Jayson Leutwiler, Richie Smallwood & Sam Hart will not be offered new contracts by the club, Discussions continue to be held with Stewart Downing about extending his stay with Rovers.[7]

On 28 July Rovers announced u23 midfielder Tom White had joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.[8]

On 29 July Rovers announced u23 defender Matthew Platt had had joined Barrow on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.[9]

August

On 11 August Hull City announced the signing of Richie Smallwood following his release from Rovers. [10]

Squad information

Squad no.	Name	Nationality	Position(s)	Date of birth (age)	Contract expires	Other
Goalkeepers
	Jordan Eastham		GK	(2001-09-08) 8 September 2001	2022[3]
	Andy Fisher		GK	(1998-02-12) 12 February 1998	2021[11]
	Joe Hilton		GK	(1999-10-11) 11 October 1999	2021[12]
Defenders
	Amari'i Bell		DF	(1994-05-05) 5 May 1994	2021[13]
	Hayden Carter		DF	(1999-12-17) 17 December 1999	2022[14]
	Joe Grayson		DF	(1999-03-26) 26 March 1999	2021[15]
	Darragh Lenihan		DF	(1994-03-16) 16 March 1994	2022[16]
	Tyler Magloire		DF	(1998-12-21) 21 December 1998	2022[17]
	Charlie Mulgrew		DF	(1986-03-06) 6 March 1986	2021[18]
	Ryan Nyambe		DF	(1997-12-04) 4 December 1997	2021 [19]
	Scott Wharton		DF	(1997-10-03) 3 October 1997	2022[20]
	Derrick Williams		DF	(1993-01-17) 17 January 1993	2021[21]
Midfielders
	Elliott Bennett		MF	(1988-12-18) 18 December 1988	2021[22]
	John Buckley		MF	(1999-10-13) 13 October 1999	2022[23]
	Harry Chapman		MF	(1997-11-05) 5 November 1997	2021 [24]
	Bradley Dack		MF	(1993-12-31) 31 December 1993	2021[25]	Option for 12 month extension.
	Stewart Downing		MF	(1984-07-22) 22 July 1984	2020[26]	Discussions to be held regarding future.[3]
	Jacob Davenport		MF	(1998-12-28) 28 December 1998	2022 [27]
	Corry Evans		MF	(1990-07-30) 30 July 1990	2021[28]
	Lewis Holtby		MF	(1990-09-18) 18 September 1990	2021[29]
	Bradley Johnson		MF	(1987-04-28) 28 April 1987	2021[30]
	Joe Rankin-Costello		MF	(1999-07-26) 26 July 1999	2021[31]
	Joe Rothwell		MF	(1995-01-11) 11 January 1995	2021[32]
	Lewis Travis		MF	(1997-10-16) 16 October 1997	2023[33]	Option for 12 months extension
	Tom White		MF	(1997-05-09) 9 May 1997	2022[34]	On loan at Bolton Wanderers
Forwards
	Adam Armstrong		FW	(1997-02-10) 10 February 1997	2022[35]
	Ben Brereton		FW	(1999-04-18) 18 April 1999	2022[36]
	Daniel Butterworth		FW	(1999-09-14) 14 September 1999	2022 [37]
	Sam Gallagher		FW	(1995-09-15) 15 September 1995	2023[38]
	Jack Vale		FW	(2001-03-03) 3 March 2001	2023[39]

Pre-season

On 14 August it was announced that Blackburn would play a Pre-season friendly against Bolton Wanderers on 29 August.[40]

Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

29 August 2020 (2020-08-29) Friendly	Bolton Wanderers	v	Blackburn Rovers	Bolton
				Stadium: University of Bolton Stadium Attendance: Behind closed doors

Competitions

Championship

Main article: 2020–21 EFL Championship

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Barnsley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to the Premier League
2	Birmingham City	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Blackburn Rovers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Qualification for Championship play-offs
4	Bournemouth	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Brentford	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Bristol City	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2020. 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) 12-point sending off offences[41]

Matchday

EFL Cup

Main article: 2020–21 EFL Cup

FA Cup

Main article: 2020–21 FA Cup

Backroom staff

Position	Staff
Manager	Tony Mowbray
Assistant manager	Mark Venus
First-team coach	David Lowe
First-team coach	Damien Johnson
Goalkeeping coach	Ben Benson
Head of Academy	Stuart Jones
Head of Academy coaching	Tony Carss
Under-23 lead coach	Billy Barr
Under-18 lead coach	Mike Sheron

Last updated: May 2017
Source: [42]

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

As of 4 July 2020[43]

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		Championship		FA Cup		EFL Cup
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
	GK		Andrew Fisher	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	GK		Joe Hilton	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	GK		Jordan Eastham	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Ryan Nyambe	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Derrick Williams	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Charlie Mulgrew	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Amari'i Bell	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Darragh Lenihan	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Joe Grayson	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Tyler Magloire	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Hayden Carter	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	DF		Scott Wharton	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Bradley Johnson	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Joe Rothwell	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Harry Chapman	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Jacob Davenport	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Stewart Downing*[3]	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Lewis Holtby	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Bradley Dack	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Lewis Travis	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Corry Evans	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Elliott Bennett (C)	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		Joe Rankin-Costello	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	MF		John Buckley	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		Adam Armstrong	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		Sam Gallagher	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		Ben Brereton	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		Daniel Butterworth	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
	FW		Jack Vale	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0
Players out on loan:
	MF		Tom White (on loan at Bolton Wanderers)	0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0	0+0	0

Goalscorers

As of 4 July 2020[43]

Rank	No.	Pos.	Name	League	FA Cup	EFL Cup	Total

Transfers

Summer

Transfers in

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
1 July 2020	CAM		Tyrhys Dolan	Preston North End	Free transfer[lower-alpha 1]	[4]

Total outgoing: +/- ~£

1. Signed for Blackburn Rovers U23's

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
30 June 2020	CF		Chanka Zimba	Free agent	Released	[3]
30 June 2020	LB		Jack Evans	Forest Green Rovers	Released	[3][6]
30 June 2020	CB		Charley Doyle	Free agent	Released	[3]
24 July 2020	CF		Danny Graham	Free agent	Released	[7]
24 July 2020	CF		Dominic Samuel	Free agent	Released	[7]
24 July 2020	CM		Richard Smallwood	Hull City	Released	[7][10]
24 July 2020	LB		Sam Hart	Free agent	Released	[7]
24 July 2020	GK		Jayson Leutwiler	Free agent	Released	[7]
29 July 2020	CB		Matthew Platt	Barrow	Undisclosed	[9]

Trial period with club

Date arrived	Position	Nationality	Name	Previous club	Contract status	Ref.

Total incoming: +/- ~£ 0

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Length	Ref.

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Length	Ref.
28 July 2020	CM		Tom White	Bolton Wanderers	Season-long	[8]

Winter

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.

Total outgoing: +/- ~£

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.

Total incoming: +/- ~£ 0

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Length	Ref.

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Length	Ref.

References

1. "Rovers welcome new Head Coach". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
2. "History". Statto.
3. "Rovers confirm Retain List". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 27 June 2020.
4. "Rovers recruit talented Tyrhys". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
5. "Brennan pens pro deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 1 July 2020.
6. "Forest Green signs Jack Evans from Blackburn Rovers". Forest Green Rovers FC. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
7. "Rovers confirm player departures". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
8. "Tom teams up with the Trotters". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
9. "Platt rejoins Bluebirds on permanent deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
10. "Richie Smallwood joins Hull City". Hull City Tigers. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
11. "Fisher signs new three-year deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 31 August 2018.
12. "Joe joins Rovers ranks". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
13. "Rovers confirm Bell signing". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 19 January 2018.
14. "New deals for defensive duo". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 9 June 2020.
15. "Grayson signs new contract". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
16. "New deal for Darragh!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 3 July 2018.
17. "Tyler signs long-term deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 1 February 2019.
18. "Charlie commits future to the club". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 15 November 2018.
19. "New deal for Nyambe". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 23 April 2019.
20. "New deal and loan for Scott". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
21. "Derrick signs new deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 12 July 2018.
22. "Benno extends Ewood stay!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 16 November 2018.
23. "Buckley buoyed by new deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 1 March 2019.
24. "Chapman makes Rovers return". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
25. "New deal for Dack!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 20 July 2018.
26. "Rovers seal Downing deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
27. "Jacob joins!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
28. "Corry commits!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 13 December 2018.
29. "Willkommen Lewis!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
30. "Johnson Joins". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
31. "Rankin-Costello to remain a Rover". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 4 April 2019.
32. "Rothwell is a Rover!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
33. "Travis signs long term deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 22 July 2019.
34. "White's delight after penning Rovers deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 9 July 2019.
35. "Armstrong Announced!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
36. "Rovers strike double deal!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
37. "Dans new deal delight". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 21 March 2019.
38. "Sam signs!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
39. "Vale pens long term deal". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. 4 October 2019.
40. The Bolton News: "Bolton to host Blackburn in behind-closed-doors friendly"
41. "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
42. "Who's Who". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. May 2017.
43. "Player Statistics". Blackburn Rovers. August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2018.