The 2023–24 season was the 136th season in the existence of Blackburn Rovers Football Club and the club's sixth consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the domestic league, they also competed in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.
Season summary
May
On 19 May 2023, Rovers confirmed their retained list for the 2023–24 season. The club confirmed Bradley Dack, Ben Brereton Diaz, Daniel Ayala, Danny Butterworth, Dan Pike, Sam Burns, Aidan Dowling, George Chmiel, Will Blease & Ryan Wilson will all leave the club when their contracts end on 30 June. Jared Harlock, Lenni Cirino & Alex Baker have all had their contracts extended by a further 12 months, whilst Zak Gilsenan, Patrick Gamble and Isaac Whitehall have been offered new contracts. The following scholars have also been offered their first professional contracts with the club Dominik Biniek, Adam Caddick, Leo Duru, Ben Fyles and Charlie Olson.[3]
On 22 May 2023, Rovers announced academy defender Charlie Olson had signed his 1st professional contract, a 1-year deal until 2024 with the option of a further 12 months.[4]
On 23 May 2023, Rovers announced academy midfielder Adam Caddick had signed his 1st professional contract, a 1-year deal until 2024 with the option of a further 12 months.[5]
On 24 May 2023, Rovers announced academy midfielder Ben Fyles had signed his 1st professional contract, a 1-year deal until 2024 with the option of a further 12 months.[6]
On 25 May 2023, Rovers announced academy defender Leo Duru had signed his 1st professional contract, a 1-year deal until 2024 with the option of a further 12 months.[7]
On 26 May 2023, Rovers announced academy forward Dominik Biniek had signed his 1st professional contract, a 1-year deal until 2024 with the option of a further 12 months.[8]
On 27 May 2023, Rovers announced u21 defender Patrick Gamble had signed a new contract, a 2-year deal until 2025 with the option of a further 12 months.[9]
June
On 19 June 2023, Rovers announced u21 attacker Zak Gilsenan had signed a new contract, a 2-year deal until 2025 with the option of a further 12 months.[10]
On 28 June 2023, Rovers announced u21 midfielder Isaac Whitehall had signed a new contract, a 1-year deal until 2024.[11]
July
On 10 July 2023, Rovers announced defender Joe Rankin-Costello had signed a new long-term contract, a 4-year deal until 2027.[12]
On 29 July 2023, Rovers announced striker Harry Leonard had signed a new long-term contract, a 4-year deal until 2027.[13]
August
On 3 August 2023, Rovers announced u21 goalkeeper Felix Goddard had signed a new 2-year deal until 2025.[14]
September
On 29 September 2023, Rovers announced u18 defender Tom Atcheson had signed his 1st professional contract, a 2 and half year deal until 2026.[15]
November
On 28 November 2023, Rovers announced midfielder Sammie Szmodics had signed a new contract, a 2 and half year deal until 2026, with the option of a further 12 months.[16]
December
January
February
On 2 February 2024, Rovers announced u21 midfielder Kristi Montgomery had signed a new contract, a 2 and half year deal until 2026, with the option of a further 12 months.[17]
On 8 February 2024, Rovers announced they had been unsuccessful in attempts to sign Duncan McGuire on loan from MLS side Orlando City, A deal had been agreed between the two clubs on February 1 for the player to join on loan until the end of the season, with a view to making the move permanent in the summer but despite all relevant paperwork being completed and uploaded onto the system in good time, the signed registration documents were not submitted prior to the 11pm deadline.[18]
On 9 February 2024, Rovers announced Jon Dahl Tomasson had left his position as Head Coach by mutual consent along with assistant coach Remy Reynierse, with immediate effect.[19] Rovers announced John Eustace as the new Head Coach, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. He will be joined by Matt Gardiner who will be his assistant coach.[20]
On 24 February 2024, Rovers announced Keith Downing as John Eustace's assistant coach alongside Matt Gardiner, also Ben Rosen will leave the club at the end of the month, with Karl Hodges stepping up as interim Head of Performance.[21]
March
On 18 March 2024, Rovers announced u21 goalkeeper Nick Michalski had signed his 1st professional contract, a 2-year deal until 2026[22]
April
On 23 April 2024, Rovers announced Sammie Szmodics had been voted Player of the Season & also voted Players Player of the Season, he also won most Player of the Match award shared with Scott Wharton, Ryan Hedges's goal against Watford was voted Goal of the Season & Sondre Tronstad was named Newcomer of the year.[23]
May
On 4 May 2024, Sammie Szmodics was presented with the Championships Golden Boot award.[24]
On 13 May 2024, Rovers announced u21 defender Leo Duru had signed a new contract, a 2-year deal until 2026, with the option of a further 12 months.[25] Rovers also announced Club Secretary Ian Silvester had left the club & have appointed Brett Baker as head of football administration.[26]
On 15 May 2024, Rovers announced u21 midfielder James Edmondson had signed a new contract, a 3-year deal until 2027.[27]
On 17 May 2024, Rovers announced u18 forward Joe Boggan had signed his 1st professional contract, a 2-year deal until 2026.[28]
On 18 May 2024, Rovers announced Director of Football Gregg Broughton had left the club by mutual consent.[29]
Backroom staff
Backroom staff last updated on 9 February 2024. List is representative of staff available on rovers.co.uk.[30]
Players and squad numbers last updated on 1 February 2024. List is representative of players who have made an appearance for the first-team this season and of information available on Rovers.co.uk.[31]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^On 30 December, Goddard's loan at Marine was cut short due to picking up an injury.
^On 2 January, Buckley's loan at Sheffield Wednesday was cut short due to picking up an injury.
^On 2 January, Vale's loan at Lincoln City was cut short.
^On 2 January, Walker's loan at Morecambe was cut short.
Pre-season and friendlies
On May 26, Blackburn announced their first pre-season fixture, against Accrington Stanley.[104] Two further friendlies were added to the schedule on 5 June, against Fleetwood Town and Barnsley.[105] A day later, another two additions were added to the pre-season calendar, Stockport County and Girona.[106] A pre-season training camp in Austria was also announced, along with a friendly against TSV Hartberg.[107]
Blackburn were drawn at home against Walsall in the first round,[120] away to Harrogate Town in the second round,[121] back at home against Cardiff City for the third round[122] and then away again, against Chelsea, in the fourth round.[123]
