Blackburn Rovers have come a long way from the big-spending days and 1995 Premier League title under the ownership of Jack Walker. They have needed to adapt to their position in the north-west’s football ecosystem because they are no longer challenging for honours at the top of the pyramid.
The last time Blackburn won an FA Cup quarter-final, in 2007, Hayden Carter was at Manchester City – the club they beat that day – albeit in the under-sevens. The defender was released at 13 and was signed by Blackburn, where he has been joined by a number of teammates who went through similar rejection at Premier League clubs. They hope the next stage of their journey will be a Wembley semi-final, the reward if they win at Sheffield United on Sunday.
