Former Town winger back at Blackburn Rovers

Jan 21 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

FORMER Town player Simon Ireland is back at Blackburn Rovers.

The winger who left Leeds Road for Ewood Park in a £200,000 transfer in November 1992 has joined the Lancashire club’s academy staff.

The 36-year-old has been appointed assistant director, with responsibility for the Under 9 to 12 age groups.

Academy chief Bobby Downes said: “I’m delighted to get Simon in. He’s a bright lad and he’s obviously got a connection with the club.”

Kenny Dalglish was the Rovers manager who snapped up Ireland after he had made just 24 first-team appearances for Town.

One of them was an impressive outing against Blackburn in a League Cup second round second leg tie in October 1992, when Town put up a brave fight before going down 4-3 after extra time on the night and 5-4 on aggregate.

Ireland failed to break into the team at Rovers, and later had spells at Mansfield and Doncaster.