ONE man who won't be rooting for Wanderers tomorrow is legendary Rovers star Ronnie Clayton.

And, for him, a Blackburn victory might even settle a few personal scores.

Back in 1958 he was part of the Rovers team beaten 2-1 by Bolton in the FA Cup semi-finals during Wanderers triumphant cup winning year.

Clayton - captain of an England team including Johnny Haynes, Billy Wright and Stanley Matthews - had hopes that Rovers would be the ones playing Manchester United in the final at Wembley but, thanks to a bout of tonsilitis, that wasn't to be.

"I woke up in the morning and felt terrible," Clayton told the BEN this week. "I went to the ground and told the manager but he wanted me to play. I went out there with tonsilitis and unfortunately it didn't work out.

"I don't remember much about the game, just that they Ralph Gubbins, who stepped in because Nat Lofthouse was out, and scored both goals. It was a hard match and afterwards all the lads were very upset because we'd missed out on the chance of going to Wembley. Unfortunately we couldn't quite win it."

If surgeons had cut one of Clayton's veins, they would have found Rovers blood. He was a Blackburn man through and through and played at Ewood Park for an astonishing 21 years, from 1949 to 1970.

And he still hasn't broken his ties with the club he loves, working at Rovers as a "greeter", which means giving tours to visiting parties.

Clayton, a right half back, goes to almost every game and will be at the Reebok tomorrow to cheer on Graeme Souness' men.

"We've got a good team but similar to how it was in my day we just need to finish off all the chances that we are creating," he added.

"I'm looking forward to the game especially as it's a derby because it will have a special atmosphere. I won't be upset for a day if Blackburn lose, I'll be upset for the week."

Despite Clayton's influence, Rovers never won the FA Cup during his time at the club. In fact they haven't won since 1928, the last of their six cup successes (the others being 1884, 1885, 1886. 1890 and 1891).

The closest they have come to Wembley glory since is a defeat to Wolves in the 1960 final.