Blackburn Rovers' eleventh hour EFL request sparks stir online | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers have made a shock request to the EFL ahead of tomorrow's fixture release date - and it's caused a real stir

Drama is rarely in short supply at Blackburn Rovers amid the backdrop of continual issues under the Venky's and long-standing tension between the hierarchy and supporters, with the Ewood Park faithful now reacting to a shock new request made by the club ahead of tomorrow's EFL fixtures release announcement.

Rovers were able to dodge the drop last time out following the mid-season appointment of Michael O'Neill, who won five of his 15 games in charge to fire the East Lancashire outfit to safety on an interim basis before electing to readjust his focus on managing Northern Ireland - having briefly juggled the two roles.

That led Blackburn to seek a return for Tony Mowbray some four years on from his exit, with the popular 62-year-old having previously enjoyed a lengthy five-and-a-half year reign at Ewood Park between 2017 and 2022.

Blackburn have encountered myriad issues both on and off-the-pitch in recent years, and fans will be hoping for some stability under the familiar and much-liked Mowbray as he prepares to return to the EFL more than a year after being sacked by Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion.

There are, however, few fanbases more perennially frustrated than Blackburn's, who have long vocalised their feelings towards the unpopular ownership group after overseeing a sharp decline following relegation from the Premier League all the way back in 2012.

And now, with Rovers set to learn their fixtures for the 2026/27 Championship campaign in just over 24 hours from now, a shock request to the EFL has emerged - and Blackburn supporters have made their feelings clear.

Blackburn Rovers make shock EFL fixture request

In a surprise new development, Blackburn have reportedly requested for at least their first two Championship affairs of the new season to be played away from Ewood Park.

That's according to Elliott Jackson of the Lancashire Telegraph, who has reported that Blackburn have lodged the surprise request owing to significant ongoing renovations to the Ewood Park pitch.

Blackburn have taken serious action on the playing surface after seeing two fixtures postponed last time out due to a waterlogged pitch, which led Rovers to reveal a "comprehensive Ewood Park pitch construction and wider stadium redevelopment project" following the conclusion of the 25/26 term.

Initially scheduled to be completed in time for the start of next season, the scale of the operation - which encompasses a replaced pitch with "enhanced drainage capabilities, a modernised irrigation system, under-soil heating and upgraded pitch run-off areas" - now means that Blackburn will be waiting longer for completion and are hoping to begin the campaign elsewhere.

It's said that Blackburn chiefs have been engaging in dialogue with the EFL over the possibility of contesting at least their first two league fixtures away from home, though this could extend if any complications arise.

The outcome of discussions with the EFL remains unclear as the organisation refrain from disclosing club-specific communications, although Rovers' request will be carefully considered ahead of the unveiling of league fixtures tomorrow lunchtime.

Blackburn will, however, encounter more issues if they are drawn to play at home in the first round of the Carabao Cup, of which they will also learn their opponents on Thursday afternoon.

In contrast to the league campaign, Blackburn cannot make requests to play away from home and would have to hope for the fixture to be reversed if a draw at Ewood Park is picked out.

Blackburn Rovers fans react to EFL fixture request

The development has sparked mixed reaction online, with some Rovers fans using the latest news to target fresh aims towards the ever-under-fire hierarchy at Ewood Park, whereas others have defended the request.

These sorts of issues are ultimately nothing new for Blackburn, and this one fan made claim to yet another sign of incompetence from those at the top.

Echoing similar sentiment, another Rovers supporter pointed out the lack of clarity on exactly how many fixtures the club may look to contest away from Ewood Park.

We know that Blackburn want the first two league outings played elsewhere, but it could be even more and that's exactly what worries this fan - who even joked that Mowbray's side could end up waiting until October before playing at home.

Another fan kept it simple by using the situation to summarise the frustrations and uncertainties that the fanbase is often put through.

Blackburn Rovers hierarchy defended for EFL fixture request

The reaction to the development has been strong yet divided, and while Blackburn supporters act in unision when it comes to the collective school of thought and feeling towards the club's key decision-makers, that's not to say that they're at fault for everything at Ewood Park.

Whereas some believe the possibility of opening league fixtures being played away from home is yet another reminder of flawed operational strategy at the top, other Blackburn fans have been more measured and do not hold the hierarchy accountable for this instance.

One fan questioned the services of Carrick Construction, who have undertaken the project in partnership with STRI Group.

It's their view that the construction group should bear more responsibility than the club itself.

Very much singing from the same hymn sheet, another Blackburn fan referred to the situation as not being a 'big deal'.