Rovers fans’ chance to meet all-time top scorer Simon Garner

Blackburn Rovers’ all-time leading goal scorer Simon Garner will return to the town to meet supporters and sign copies of his new book later this month.

Garner, who scored 194 goals in his 16 years at Ewood Park, will be the special guest when Rovers take on Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday 21 April.

Making the most of his time in the town where he made his name, he will be making a number of public appearances to chat with supporters.

The former striker, who first signed for Rovers as a 16-year-old in 1976, will sign copies of his new book, One Last Shot, on Saturday 20 April at the Roverstore at Ewood Park and later Waterstones in The Mall. On Sunday 21 April, following the match against the Owls, he will take part in a question and answer session with fans at the Rising Sun pub in Whalley New Road.

Garner, now 64, said: “I had such a happy time in the town that Blackburn will always be like my second home. I’m really looking forward to coming back.

“I always get a really good reception from Blackburn fans so it will be nice to spend some time chatting with them and signing copies of the book, as well as sharing some stories – and maybe a pint or two.

“It’s going to be a busy weekend but I have always enjoyed meeting supporters so I hope to see lots of Rovers fans throughout the weekend.”

Born in Lincolnshire, Garner joined Blackburn in 1976 and, having made his debut two years later, went on to become a firm fans’ favourite. He was a mainstay of the side throughout the 1980s, and helped the club to the 1987 Full Members Cup final triumph. Having narrowly missed out on promotion on a number of occasions, the arrival of Jack Walker and Kenny Dalglish spelled the end for Garner, who moved on to West Bromwich Albion in 1992 and later Wycombe Wanderers before spending the latter years of his career in non-league.

Now a full-time painter and decorator living in Buckinghamshire, he published his new book One Last Shot, co-written with local authors Dan Clough and Richard Slater, just before Christmas.

Garner’s appearances in the town will be as follows:

• Saturday 20 April, noon to 1pm, Roverstore, Ewood Park
• Saturday 20 April, 2.30pm to 3.30pm, Waterstones, The Mall
• Sunday 21 April, 4pm to 5pm, Rising Sun, Whalley New Road

Copies of One Last Shot can be ordered from www.simongarnerbook.co.uk