Market2017–18 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season
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2017–18 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season

The 2017–18 season was Blackburn Rovers' 130th season as a professional football club and its first playing in League One following its relegation from the Championship the previous season. Along with competing in the League One, the club also participated in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy. Thanks to a 0–1 win against Doncaster Rovers on 24 April, Blackburn were promoted back to the Championship. This was the only season that any former Premier League champion competed below the second tier of English football, until the 2026-27 season when 2015-16 champions Leicester City will compete in League One. The season covers the period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.

Summer activity
May On 8 May Rovers announced Paul Senior has resigned from his role as Director of Football and Operations. On 16 May Rovers owners Venky's have brought in accountancy firms Deloitte and KPMG to carry out an overview of the club. On 18 May Rovers announced their retained list: Adam Henley, Gordon Greer, Jason Lowe, Hope Akpan, Danny Guthrie, Wes Brown, Ramirez Howarth and Joshua Askew have not been offered further terms. The following academy scholars will not be retained: Ben Ascroft, Alex Curran, Mason Fawns, Callum Hendry, Matthew Makinson, Tre Pemberton, Joel Steer and Ben Williams with non-contracted player Joshua Powell also released. The club also announced that new contract offers had been made to Connor Mahoney and Lewis Travis. Whilst professional contract offers have been made to youngsters Charley Doyle, Joe Grayson, Tyler Magloire and Stefan Mols. On 8 June Rovers confirmed Tony Mowbray's backroom staff after the appointment of Mark Venus, David Lowe will take up the role as first team coach, David Dunn will revert to his role as assistant coach of the under 23s and Ben Benson will remain as goalkeeping coach. On 9 June Rovers announced Tony Mowbray has committed his long-term future to the club signing a new 2-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. On 13 June Rovers announced the signing of midfielder Peter Whittingham on a free from Cardiff City. The 32-year-old, became manager Tony Mowbray's first signing, putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal at Ewood Park, which runs through to the summer of 2019. On 16 June Rovers were drawn against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena in first round of the EFL Cup, Tony Mowbray old club. On 20 June Rovers announced the signing of midfielder Richie Smallwood on a free from Rotherham United, putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with the option of a further year. On 26 June Rovers announced that first team coach David Lowe has pledged his commitment to the club by putting pen-to-paper on a new long-term contract. On 27 June Rovers announced the signing of attacking midfielder Bradley Dack from Gillingham for a reported £750,000 plus add-ons, on a 3-year deal. July On 4 July Bournemouth announced the signing of midfielder Connor Mahoney on a 4-year deal after rejecting a new contract at Rovers, compensation to be agreed. On 18 July Rovers announced rising stars will continue to compete at the highest level of youth football after the club confirmed it will remain a Category One Academy. On 18 July Burton Albion announced the signing of midfielder Hope Akpan on a 1-year deal following his release from Rovers. On 22 July Rovers announced the signing of striker Joe Nuttall following a successful trial scoring 5 goals in 2 games for the u23s, on a 12-month deal with option of a further 12 months, he was a free agent following his release from Aberdeen. On 26 July Rovers announced Jason Steele has joined Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. August On 2 August Rovers announced the signing of Canadian International Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler from Shrewsbury Town on a 2-year deal for an undisclosed fee. On 15 August Kerala Blasters announced the signing of Wes Brown for the upcoming Indian Super League season, following his release from Rovers. October On 5 October Rovers announced that striker Daniel Butterworth had signed his first professional contract, a 2-year deal. On 5 October Rovers announced that midfielder Elliott Bennett had signed a new 2-year contract. November On 3 November Rovers announced that midfielder Willem Tomlinson had signed a new and extended contract until 2019. On 13 November Rovers announced that goalkeeper Andy Fisher had signed a new and extended contract until 2019. On 28 November Rovers announced that midfielder Lewis Hardcastle had signed a new and extended contract until 2019. December On 18 December Rovers announced that defender Matthew Platt had signed a new and extended contract until 2019. ==Winter activity==
Winter activity
January On 2 January Rovers announced West Brom have recalled Rekeem Harper from his loan spell. On 19 January Rovers announced the signing of defender Amari'i Bell from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee on a -year contract. On 30 January Rovers announced that defender Elliott Ward has joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the season. On 2 February Rovers announced that young versatile midfielder Lewis Travis has signed a new -year deal, until 2021. On 7 February Rovers announced that midfielder Jack Evans had signed his first professional contract, until 2020. On 14 February Rovers announced the signing of highly rated young forward Okera Simmonds from Liverpool on a -year contract and will link up with the u23s squad. On 14 February Rovers announced the signing of goalkeeper Oliver Byrne, who was recently with Cardiff City on a -year contract and will link up with the u23s squad. On 16 March Rovers announced that young attacking midfielder Jack Vale had signed his first professional contract, until 2020. On 20 March Rovers announced that young defender Lewis Thompson had signed his first professional contract, until 2019. April On 3 April Rovers trio David Raya, Charlie Mulgrew and Bradley Dack have all been included in the EFL League One Team of the Year. On 15 April Rovers star Bradley Dack has been named as the League One Player of the Year. On 18 April Rovers players Bradley Dack, Charlie Mulgrew, Danny Graham and Amari'i Bell were announced in the PFA League One Team of the Year. On 20 April Rovers U23 were crowned champions of the Premier League 2 Division 2. On 24 April Rovers won promotion back to the Championship, following a 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers. May On 5 May Rovers announced Bradley Dack as the Player of the Season, he also won Goal of the Season with his goal against Peterborough. On 7 May Rovers held their end of season awards the winners follow: Young Player – David Raya, Players’ Player – Charlie Mulgrew, Best Newcomer – Richie Smallwood, Unsung Hero – Elliott Bennett, Man of the Match (Seasonal) – Bradley Dack, Goal of the Season – Bradley Dack, Player of the Year – Bradley Dack, Special Achievement – Tony Mowbray. ==Squad information==
Pre-season friendlies
As of 17 June 2017, Blackburn Rovers have announced six pre-season friendlies against Barrow, Morecambe, Grimsby Town, York City, Carlisle United and Sparta Prague. ==League One==
League One
League table Result by round Matchday ==EFL Cup==
EFL Cup
The first round draw of the EFL Cup took place on 16 June 2017 and Blackburn Rovers were drawn away to Coventry City. A home tie against Burnley was confirmed for the second round. ==FA Cup==
FA Cup
In the FA Cup, Blackburn Rovers would face Barnet at home in the first round and Crewe Alexandra at home in the second round. ==EFL Trophy==
EFL Trophy
The first round fixtures of the EFL Trophy (named Checkatrade Trophy for sponsorship reasons) are scheduled for week commencing Monday 28 August. Blackburn entered the competition at the first round group stage and were drawn against Bury, Rochdale and Stoke City u23s in Northern Group C. 2017–18 EFL Trophy Group C Northern Section Group C ==Backroom staff==
1st Team squad statistics
Appearances and goals Goalscorers Disciplinary record ==Transfers==
Transfers
Summer Transfers in Total outgoing: +/- ~£1,250,000 (undisclosed fee) Transfers out Total incoming: +/- ~£ £425,000 + further Undisclosed fee's ( * Connor Mahoney transfer fee £425,000 as determined by tribunal including additional add on fee's – ** Jason Steele transfer Undisclosed, however estimated to be around £560,000 with add ons.) Loans in Loans out Winter Transfers in Transfers out Loans in Loans out ==References==
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