Blackburn Rovers record-breaker makes debut in logo-free shirt

In an Instagram post, the young midfielder said he was "so proud" to make his debut

A 15-year-old footballer's history-making debut left some fans puzzled, not by his age, but by the fact he did it in a different kit to his teammates.

Rory Finneran came on as substitute for Blackburn Rovers in their FA Cup win on Saturday, becoming the club's youngest ever player at 15 years and 312 days.

But his shirt did not sport the club's sponsor, vape firm Totally Wicked.

Rovers said as the legal vaping age in the UK was 18, under-18 players could not wear the firm's logo.

"We've had a number of 16 and 17-year-olds play for the first team over the past couple of years, without the TW branding, so Saturday with Rory wasn't anything new," a representative said.

"It's the same for any U18s players playing for our U21s team.

"And obviously no junior shirts are sold with the TW branding on in our club shop."

Rory Finneran came on as substitute towards the end of the tie with Cambridge United

Rory came on late in the second half, as Rovers ran out 5-2 victors over Cambridge United in the FA Cup third round.

In an Instagram post, the young midfielder said he was "so proud" to make his debut, adding it was an "honour to be a part of this club's history".

The club representative said Harry Dennison was the previous youngest player and held the title for almost 113 years, having made his debut at the age of 16 years and 155 days in a 2-0 victory against Bristol City on 8 April 1911.

They said Thomas Campbell was given a run-out at the age of 15 years and 317 days in a 16-0 win against Preston North End in March 1881, but that game was a friendly that predated the formation of the Football League.

They added that Rory had been at Rovers "since Under-8s level" and "recently captained Ireland Under-16s to glory in the Victory Shield".

In 2023, the club faced criticism from MPs for promoting the vape firm, which SNP frontbencher Kirsten Oswald told the Health and Social Care Committee was "really unacceptable".

"If we're serious about dealing with the harms to children and young people, we really should expect that sports clubs are going to be somewhere that they can see positive imagery," she said.

At the time, the club said both Rovers and Totally Wicked "advocate that vaping has a positive and proven role in supporting the reduction and ultimate eradication of smoking within our communities".