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Blackburn Rovers anniversary celebrations could be ruined by former manager John Eustace

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Blackburn Rovers are set to celebrate their 150th anniversary as a club this year, with the Lancashire club being founded on the 5th of November 1875.

The club are looking to celebrate this historic milestone through a number of different methods this season.

Blackburn Rovers have commemorated the anniversary in their kit for this Championship season, while they are also seemingly having a celebration on the fixture closest to the day the club was founded.

However, this day of celebration may turn sour with the club set to come up against a former manager of Blackburn Rovers for the fixture at Ewood Park.

John Eustace and Derby County are set to face Blackburn Rovers on the 150th anniversary of the club

John Eustace was the manager immediately preceding the current man at the helm of Blackburn Rovers, Valérien Ismaël.

Blackburn struggled for a period after the appointment of Ismaël, when Eustace left the club for Derby, with the Rams form turning around significantly after his appointment.

John Eustace, Manager of Derby County, celebrates avoiding relegation after Derby County draw 0-0 with Stoke City in the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County FC and Stoke City FC
Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images

Rovers will be aware that Eustace will be extremely determined to get one over on his previous employers on a significant anniversary for the Lancashire club.

Meanwhile, Ismaël will want to ensure the fans leave Ewood Park that day in a celebratory mood, not just from the anniversary but with a result to match in the game.

Blackburn Rovers 125th anniversary match

The Lancashire club had been a fixture of the Premier League throughout the 1990s and the 2000s, but in the 2000/01 season the club were playing their football in the Championship.

Blackburn will now do the same 25 years on, with fans hopeful the celebrations on November 8th can be the same as those in 2000 and that Rovers have a similar season as a whole to the one Graeme Souness was in charge of.

Damian Duff celebrating promotion to Premier League from the Championship with Graeme Souness and Brad Friedel
2 May 2001: Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness congratulates Brad Friedel and Damien Duff after the Nationwide First Divisiopn match between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers at Deepdale, Preston. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Gary M. Prior/ALLSPORT

Rovers faced Barnsley 25 years ago on November 8, emerging as 2-1 winners, and this was one of the 26 victories that season as they were promoted to the Premier League.

Ismaël will be hopeful he can deliver similar success this season, with new summer signing Sidnei Tavares aiming for promotion, with fans hopeful he can buck the trend of their previous Portuguese signings.