Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Cardiff City as it happened

1. FT: Blackburn 1-1 Cardiff
2. First game of the new Football League season
3. Kenwyne Jones heads Cardiff opener
4. Tom Cairney hits cracking leveller
5. Click Play button or 'Live Coverage' to listen

So that was just a little taster of the Football League season ahead and we will be back to tuck into the main course on Saturday, with a whopping 34 games for us to digest.

Read the full report from tonight's game here and join us again tomorrow, with League One Sheffield United and Bristol City getting the day's action under way at 12:15 BST.

Cheerio.

Manager reaction

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Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer: "I thought we were the more dominant side. I'm disappointed with the manner of the goal we conceded, and we could have had a penalty in the first half.

"I though we recovered well, scored a fantastic goal. It was a great strike from a fantastic footballer in Tom Cairney, he can reach double figures this season.

"I thought the lads really looked like they enjoyed themselves. Again the supporters were magnificent, they cheered the lads on."

Blackburn dark horses for promotion? They look a very tidy unit with some handy players and while they were lacking a bit of punch in attack tonight, Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes are surely good for at least 30 goals between them?

Forster close to Southampton move

Some news to bring you from outside the Football League, and that is England goalkeeper Fraser Forster is on the verge of joining Southampton after the Premier League side agreed a fee, understood to be around £10m, with Celtic.

Forster travelled south on Friday after the clubs came to an agreement and the move will now go ahead subject to a successful medical over the weekend, with personal terms also agreed.

So Blackburn are top of the league, for 20 hours or so anyway as the rest of the Championship gets in on the act tomorrow. Ten games, with a full fixture programme in League One and League Two and we will have live text on all the action.

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "Smiles all round as both teams leave the field reasonably content with their night's work. Cardiff were the better team in the first half, Blackburn the better in the second half and all in all a point was fair enough."

Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is sporting a beaming smile as he waves to the travelling Cardiff fans, and who can blame him?

Avoiding defeat in the opening game was no doubt hugely important for the Norwegian, with owner Vincent Tan not a man to hang around if things are not going to plan on the pitch.

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"I think Blackburn were the better side. Once Cardiff got the goal they sat back a little too much and allowed Blackburn to dictate play but they did not really have any penetration. For all the possession they had, they did not really create much.

"It is difficult to call how the season could go for these sides after the first game. Cardiff will be happy with the draw and there were positive signs for Blackburn. They have enough quality in this squad to cause a few sides trouble this season."

FULL-TIME

The corner comes to nothing and the referee has seen enough. Blackburn and Cardiff share the points and it is probably as fair result.

A late corner for Cardiff, though. Some late Friday night drama..?

Three minutes of added time, but both managers seem pretty satisfied to take a point.

CLOSE!

We have not had much to shout about at all in this half, but Blackburn go close to snatching all three points as a free kick 20 yards from goal is rolled into the path of Craig Conway, but his rising effort is over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION

Adam Le Fondre has been anonymous throughout this game and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen enough, taking off the striker for midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem. Two minutes left.

YELLOW CARD

Cardiff's Guido Burgstaller earns himself a booking as he traps Craig Conway between his legs. Grant Hanley then has half a chance when he heads goalwards following the free-kick, but it is easy pickings for David Marshall.

TEN MINUTES TO GO

Into the final 10 minutes at Ewood Park and it is difficult to see either side grabbing a second. Definitely some early season rustiness on show now.

YELLOW CARD

Mark Hudson is the second Cardiff player to go in the book following a rash challenge on Rudy Gestede. Craig Conway sends the resulting free-kick into the area but over the heads of his team-mates and the ball bounces behind for a goal kick.

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "The Rovers players are delighted to see the back of Kenwyne Jones. His withdrawal means Cardiff have lost their aerial threat and you could hear the cheer among the home fans as he wandered off. Not much going on at the moment as the fans entertain themselves with gestures - not friendly ones - and chants at each other."

Grant Hanley heads a Cardiff free-kick behind to give the visitors a corner, which comes to nothing. After the first half promised so much, the second half has so far failed to deliver. Lack of an attacking threat from both sides at the moment.

First sight of what the new man Guido can do, but it is not particularly great. Nicky Maynard cushions a header into the path of the midfielder, who lashes a shot wide from outside the box to the sound of ironic wolf whistles from the home fans.

SUBSTITUTION

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does indeed make a change as Kenwyne Jones comes off, with Austria midfielder Guido Burgstaller coming on for his competitive debut after signing for Cardiff in May.

That surely means Adam Le Fondre moves up alongside Nicky Maynard as a front two and we might finally see more from the former Reading striker.

Blackburn are enjoying 70% of the possession with Cardiff rarely venturing out of their own half. Maybe time for Ole Gunner Solsjkaer to abandon three in attack?

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "You can sense a bit of tension around Ewood as both sides know what a boost a winner would give but also the blow losing the game would bring. Stick or twist is the question and I'm not sure either side know which option to take."

This game has lost a bit of the rhythm it had in the first half, with both sides guilty of hitting one or two wayward passes. Craig Conway floats in a cross for Blackburn but Cardiff head clear, before Jordan Rhodes tries to hook a pass that comes behind him towards goal, but to no avail.

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "There are 20 Rovers fans who have been given a golden season ticket after being nominated by fellow fans - Willy Wonka style. The club's way of re-engaging with the community. The only way of really achieving this though is success on the field."

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Joe Walkley: You can't help but wonder why Hull let Tom Cairney leave, he is a quality player and a PL team will pick him up soon

SUBSTITUTION

Cardiff make a change as midfielder Tom Adeyemi, signed earlier this week from Birmingham, comes on for his debut, replacing Mats Daehli.

The luminous orange boots of Marcus Olsson produce some dazzling skills on the left for Blackburn as the midfielder wrong-foots his marker to open up space for himself, he whips in a cross and Jordan Rhodes tries to get to it but he is beaten to the ball by a defender, who deflects behind for a corner.

Cardiff keeper David Marshall is saved from a potential moment of embarrassment as Blackburn Rovers go close again. A deep ball is played into the area and Marshall comes off his line before dithering in no man's land. Rudy Gestede gets his head to the cross but sends the ball over Marshall and the Cardiff goal.

Marshall was one of the best keepers in the Premier League last season, but that was pretty rookie stuff.

John Brayford heads away with Jordan Rhodes lurking before Rudy Gestede fizzes an effort from distance over the bar as Blackburn Rovers make a strong start to this half.

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Empics

Elliott Barker: That's goal of the season sorted then

KICK-OFF

Blackburn make a change for the start of the second half as defender Matt Kilgallon, who took a knock in the first half, is replaced by midfielder Lee Williamson. Jason Lowe drops into defence as Cardiff get things under way.

The rest of the Football League joins the party tomorrow, before Wolves and Norwich rounds off the first weekend of the season when they face each other on Sunday.

Here are Saturday's games in the Championship:

Brentford v Charlton; Brighton v Sheff Wed; Derby v Rotherham; Huddersfield v Bournemouth; Middlesbrough v Birmingham; Millwall v Leeds; Nottm Forest v Blackpool; Nottm Forest Vs Blackpool; Watford v Bolton; Wigan v Reading (all 15:00 BST); Ipswich v Fulham (17:15 BST)

Jones' joy

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Kenwyne Jones has been the main dangerman for Cardiff and he has linked up well with Nicky Maynard, but I've seen little of Adam Le Fondre. He's not the type of player you want to be sticking out wide.

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"A brilliant pace to the game and the football season is back! An entertaining half with Blackburn in the ascendancy at the end."

HALF-TIME

All square at the break and a pretty fair reflection of the game. Cardiff have had the better chances but Blackburn have seen plenty of the ball and it is all set up nicely for an entertaining second half.

YELLOW CARD

Cardiff's John Brayford earns himself a yellow card as he goes in heavy on Craig Conway with half-time approaching.

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"He has been Blackburn's best player tonight and that is wonderful from Tom Cairney. He got the ball on to his left foot and it is a top class finish. Full credit to Jordan Rhodes for his part in the build-up too.

"I saw Cairney's development as a young player at Hull and he is a real talent. At times he was overweight but he is looking after himself better now and the benefits are there to see."

GOAL

What. A. Goal! Stunning stuff from Tom Cairney, Blackburn's player of the year last season, who brings the hosts level in spectacular fashion.

He picks up the ball around 25 yards from goal, scampers towards the area before curling a fine drive with his favoured left foot into the back of the net. Lovely stuff and now the Ewood Park faithful have found their voice.

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"Blackburn are playing some nice stuff but they haven't been able to get in behind Cardiff at all. The Cardiff back four will be very comfortable with what they have seen so far."

The Cardiff old boys nearly combine to bring Blackburn level as Rudy Gestede goes for the spectacular with an attempted overhead kick. He fails to connect properly though and instead the ball falls kindly for Craig Conway, who blazes over with a Cardiff defender distracting him just enough.

PA

Kenwyne Jones has not always been the most consistent of strikers but he has shown in this opening half an hour that he could be a real handful in the Championship.

There aren't many better celebrations around either...

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BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer has yet to sit down all game. He is pacing up and down the technical area like an expectant father. As yet though his side are yet to deliver what he wants. Cardiff, despite being depleted defensively, look fairly comfortable and the Ewood faithful are getting a trifle agitated."

YELLOW CARD

Blackburn's Jason Lowe is the first man into the referee's book as he catches Aron Gunnarsson with a late challenge. A sense of frustration on the pitch and in the stands, with the home fans perhaps a little disappointed with their side's start.

Chance of a second for Cardiff and for Kenwyne Jones as the burly striker nods on a throw to Nick Maynard, who in turn sends the former Stoke man through. Jones, though, is too quick to take his shot and ends up scuffing a low effort into Paul Robinson's hands.

Blackburn play some lovely stuff going forward but they are not threatening enough in the final third at the moment.

Grant Hanley almost pokes in a sneaky equaliser with Blackburn's first response as he flicks a loose ball inside the area through a crowd of players towards goal. Cardiff keeper David Marshall is wise to the effort, though, and reaches out to pluck the ball from the air.

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "Stunned silence around Ewood Park apart from the jubilant away corner as Kenwyne Jones heads the visitors ahead and their fans launch into a premature 'we are top of the league' chant.

"Rovers fans though quickly stir and a roar goes up around the home end to get their team up again. They know how important a good start to the season is if Rovers are to remain a club with a feel-good factor about them."

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"Kenwyne Jones is a player with the ability to score at least 15 times a season for you. He has tremendous aerial ability and you cannot afford to live him unmarked like that. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is delighted."

GOAL

Great start for Cardiff and for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the visitors take the lead courtesy of a thumping header from Kenwyne Jones. Peter Whittingham sends the ball into the area, Mark Hudson heads on towards the far post where Jones gets in ahead of a defender to power in the first Championship goal of the season.

Jordan Rhodes is not a man you give a sniff of goal and he almost punishes some lazy Cardiff defending as he is afforded space on the edge of the area, allowing him to hit a sweetly-struck effort that dips just over the bar.

GREAT SAVE!

Great work from Blackburn's veteran keeper Paul Robinson as he keeps out a header from Kenwyne Jones! Peter Whittingham swings in the corner and Nick Maynard heads it back into the dangerzone for Jones to direct a header goalwards, only for Robinson to scoop the ball over his own bar.

Matt Connolly heads just over from another corner soon after and Blackburn look a little vulnerable from set pieces.

Blackburn Rovers debutant Alex Baptiste makes himself known with a nasty challenge on Peter Whittingham, sticking his studs right on top of the Cardiff man's foot. The visitors get a free-kick, but Baptiste escapes a booking.

Cardiff's front three of Nicky Maynard, Kenwyne Jones and Adam Le Fondre are yet to really show their hand in these early stages. Le Fondre, in particular, is looking a little uncomfortable wide right. Wasted out there?

All pretty scrappy at the moment as both teams test each other out.

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"Every single year this division gets harder. Look at Fulham spending £11m on Ross McCormack. Burnley got promoted last season which was a wonderful story and it gives hope to teams without those big budgets."

Just seen a replay of that handball by Mark Hudson and it was just inside the area. A lucky escape for Cardiff.

Wonder what recently retired referee Howard Webb, who is watching on in the stands, made of that?

Early free-kick in a promising position for Blackburn as Mark Hudson handles Rudy Gestede's header just outside the area. Tom Cairney takes the set-piece, pretty much dead centre, but smacks the ball straight into the Cardiff wall.

KICK-OFF

Blackburn Rovers get this game under way and the 2014-15 Football League season is up and running. It feels like football has never been away doesn't it?

Out come the players to a decent reception from the fans inside the stadium. Lots of the home supporters are waving inflatable zebras, which appears to be related to their main shirt sponsors. A quick group huddle from the players and the first kick of the new season just moments away...

BBC Radio 5 live

Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer on Radio 5 live: "We have asked the players to focus on what we did well last season. We want to improve and that is the challenge for us all. The season is about continually getting better.

"It's a long season, a tough old division and this season it's the hardest it has ever been. Teams who have come down have spent a lot of money, we are aware of the challenge and we are ready for it.

"It's better than not watching football isn't it?"

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Ryan: The Championship season won't have any run away leaders like Leicester last season, it'll be very close come 2nd May 2015

Ned Thomas: This will be a disaster, or a piece of tactical genius by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Rob of the Robots: No defenders on the Blackburn bench is concerning. Tom Cairney is wasted out wide too, but it's early days yet let's see.

Nice use of 'early days yet' Rob. Five minutes before the season has even started...

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"I played alongside Jordan Rhodes so I know how good he is. He reminds me of John Aldridge. He has great movement and if he gets the ball inside the box he generally scores.

"The one question mark over his future in terms of playing in the Premier League would be his all-round game. Other than scoring, he doesn't offer a lot which may sound odd but at the top level you have to offer more."

Who will win the title?

Throughout Friday we were building up to the new Football League season in Sportsday, with readers voting for who they think will win the Championship, League One and League Two.

Derby were backed to win the Championship, with Sheffield United fancied for the League One title and Portsmouth predicted to finish top of the pile in League Two.

Vote results in full:

Championship: 16.8% Derby 14.3% Fulham 9.1% Cardiff 8.5% Wigan 6.6% Norwich

League One: 22.2% Sheffield United 9.5% Leyton Orient 8.8% Preston 7.1% Bristol City 7% Peterborough

League Two: 16.8% Portsmouth 9.8% Luton 8.3% AFC Wimbledon 6% Bury 5.7% Southend

You can read more from Sportsday, which includes stats and team previews here

Jordan Rhodes

BBC

Familiar faces

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Footballers, more often than not, seem to play a blinder against their old sides, don't they? Cardiff fans will be hoping that will not be the case tonight, with Craig Conway and Rudy Gestede lining up against their former employer for Blackburn.

The pair were allowed to leave the Bluebirds in January and quickly became key players for Rovers, with winger Conway providing the ammunition for both Gestede, who scored 12 goals in 21 appearances last season, and Jordan Rhodes.

"As far as I'm concerned they haven't got anything to prove because they are not Cardiff City players any more," says Rovers boss Gary Bowyer. "They are Blackburn Rovers players and they proved last season what massive assets they are to the football club."

Former Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel on Twitter: "Good luck to Blackburn tonight...hope this season is the one to get back in Prem!!!"

The players are out on the pitch going through their warm-up routines while the stands are slowly starting to fill as a bit of Arctic Monkeys is blasted out around Ewood Park. There is some cloud in the sky, but it looks a decent evening for a spot of football.

Just under 20 minutes until the new Football League season kicks off...

Text us on 81111

Andrew in Cardiff: We've lost some important players but we've replaced the majority and have much more depth in attack. Feeling good about this season! Ah Football League I've missed you!

He can score in the Champions League...

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You'd fancy anyone who can handle the pressure of playing, and scoring, in a Champions League final to be able to cope with a trip to Ewood Park on a Friday night, but Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows he can ill afford a bad start to the season.

Solskjaer was given his first chance in English football by Cardiff at the start of this year, but failed to keep them in the Premier League, and you would expect promotion at the first attempt will be his minimum requirement.

"There are probably five or six other managers in the Championship that have the same pressure and if you can't handle that you're in the wrong job," says Solskjaer. "I'm very confident and I trust the lads that we've got something really good going on."

Former Wigan winger Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"It will have been a long summer for these players, having to watch the World Cup at home. They will be itching to get back and both of these sides are desperate to get back in the Premier League.

"I think both of these sides will be in the top six, top eight this season."

BBC

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "Twenty years ago Blackburn were starting their Premier League winning campaign - and the trophy is in the club shop to bring back the memories. Still plenty of smiles around and lots of fans in the new club kit - despite the somewhat odd kit launch (see 18:40 entry)!"

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Matthew Ashley: Can't wait to see the attacking football tonight from OGS! #GoalFest

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So this is it. The start of a new season. Apart from some fine tuning, most teams should have in place the squad they hope will be capable of achieving their respective goals for the coming campaign - be it promotion, play-offs or simply survival.

Tonight may be about two teams but I want to hear from all fans of Football League clubs about their side's prospects for the season ahead.

I want to know who your team is, how you expect them to do this season and which player will be key. If you are off to a game tomorrow then let us know which one it is and what you are expecting.

Tweet us via #bbcfootball, text us on 81111 (UK only) or even jot down your thoughts on the BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ pages.

Cardiff striker Adam Le Fondre on Twitter: "After a long hard pre season!! First game of the season against Blackburn!! Can't wait for it! Missed ⚽️ so much ❤️ come on you."

LINE-UPS

Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe, Hanley, Kilgallon, Baptiste, Olsson, Evans, Cairney, Conway, Rhodes, Gestede. Subs: King, Dunn, Marshall, Varney, Williamson, Taylor, Kean.

Cardiff: Marshall, Da Silva, Connolly, Hudson, Brayford, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Daehli, Maynard, Le Fondre, Jones. Subs: John, Kim, Eikrem, Adeyemi, Theophile-Catherine, Burgstaller, Moore.

Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)

TEAM NEWS

Not many new signings on show for either side tonight with Alex Baptiste in the side for Blackburn. Luke Varney is on the bench while Chris Brown misses out as he recovers from a knee niggle.

For Cardiff, Adam Le Fondre starts as part of a front three which includes Kenwyne Jones and Nicky Maynard. New signing Tom Adeyemi has to be content with a place on the bench.

All Rhodes lead to goals

Blackburn have been a little less active in the transfer market over the summer.

Former Doncaster striker Chris Brown and veteran forward Luke Varney, who had a loan spell at the club earlier in the year, have both joined on free transfers, while defender Alex Baptiste has arrived on loan from Bolton.

The key man once again for Rovers will surely be Jordan Rhodes. The Scotland striker, in his second season at Blackburn, bagged 25 goals last term.

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It is not all doom and gloom for Cardiff, though, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appearing to have strengthened wisely over the summer.

Striker Adam Le Fondre, who banged in 15 goals for Reading in the Championship last season, was snapped up in May, with former Manchester United striker Federico Macheda also arriving at the Welsh club.

Midfielder Tom Adeyemi is the most recent arrival, with the 22-year-old joining from Cardiff's Championship rivals Birmingham on Thursday as a direct replacement for the departed Jordon Mutch.

BBC Coverage

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live will begin build-up to the game in little under 10 minutes, with live commentary from Steve Bower and Kevin Kilbane getting under way at 19:45.

You can listen on the radio and online by clicking the 'live coverage' tab at the top of this page.

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "There is less of a settled feel amongst Cardiff fans. Talks of protests against owner Vincent Tan are still rumbling on due to the change of colour to 'lucky red'. They have seen a number of stars leave, a number of new faces join. Fans outside the ground this evening say they have no clue what the season has in store."

Cardiff fans cautious?

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While fans of Blackburn Rovers, who fell just short of the play-offs last season, will likely be heading to tonight's game with a spring in their step and a sense of optimism for the season ahead, the same perhaps cannot be said for Cardiff City supporters.

Their side is back in the Championship after a brief sojourn in the Premier League, a largely tumultuous campaign in which owner Vincent Tan made a number of unpopular decisions, not least the public fallout and subsequent dismissal of former boss Malky Mackay.

A number of key players have left since their relegation, with the spine of their side having been picked apart. Striker Fraizer Campbell left for Crystal Palace, while QPR snapped up midfielder Jordon Mutch and defender Steven Caulker.

BBC

BBC Sport's Andy Cryer at Ewood Park: "The new season is upon is and there is a strange feeling around Ewood park. Optimism. For the first time since the arrival of owners Venkys, it has been a quiet summer - one of stability. With pictures put up around the round of the good old days - there is a sense of a feel good factor. How long that lasts remains to be seen."

Rovers' hopes renewed

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers made several newspapers' headlines in the summer with one of the more unusual kit launches, as they filmed super fan 'Birdy' splashing on some aftershave to the smooth tones of Barry White and trundling off to the club shop to purchase this season's shirt.

It was odd, but showed that Rovers have rediscovered their sense of humour after some chaotic times in recent years. Fans have had to deal with relegation from the Premier League, a managerial revolving door and questionable decisions made by the club's owners, the Venky's, but they appear to have found some stability.

They finished last season unbeaten in their final 12 games and continued that form in pre-season, giving fans optimism that this could be the year they return to the Premier League.

For Football League fans this day is perhaps as close as they get to a child's excitement on Christmas Eve - Football League Season Eve, if you will.

The replica kit has been laid out, the clock has been watched and watched again as supporters will the big hand to go round faster and bring around bedtime so that they can resume their weekly pilgrimage to follow the trials and tribulations of their respective clubs.

For Blackburn and Cardiff fans, Christmas has come early. Both sides have aspirations of promotion, both will be desperate to get off to a flyer. Will they provide us with an explosive start to the season?

It all begins again...

There will be highs...

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...and there will be lows...

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...but at this very moment in time, fans of 72 football clubs will almost all be united in their hopes of success in the months ahead.

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Over the course of 1,671 games, supporters up and down the country will experience the rollercoaster of emotions that following their team entails, and it all begins tonight with Blackburn v Cardiff.

This is the start of the 2014-15 Football League season.