The 2019–20 season was Blackburn Rovers' 132nd season as a professional football club and it participated in the Championship for a second consecutive season.[2] Along with competing in the Championship, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. The season covered the period from 1 July 2019 to 22 July 2020.
Summer activity
May
On 11 May, Rovers announced that young defender Matthew Platt had signed a new one-year contract with the club until the summer of 2020.[3]
On 14 May, Rovers reached decisions regarding players whose contracts are due to expire on 30 June.
Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler has been informed that the option to extend his registration by a further year to June 2020 has been taken up by the club.
Discussions are currently taking place with Craig Conway, Jack Rodwell and Ben Gladwin regarding the possibility of extending their stays at Ewood Park.
Paul Downing, Jack Doyle, Lewis Mansell, Charlie Albinson, George Wilson (scholar) and Kyle Connell (scholar) will not be retained by the club upon the expiration of their current contracts at the end of next month.[4]
On 25 May, Craig Conway announced via his Twitter account that he would be departing the club at the end of his current contract, bringing an end to his 5 & half year stay at the club.[5]
June
On 13 June, Partick Thistle announced Lewis Mansell will join the club on 1 July when his Rovers contract ends, Mansell had previously been on loan at the club.[6]
On 21 June, Rovers announced their first signing of the summer, midfielder Stuart Downing will join the club on 1 July when his Middlesbrough contract ends, he's signed a 12-month contract until 2020.[7] On the same day, Portsmouth announced Paul Downing will join the club on 1 July when his Rovers contract ends.[8]
On 30 June 2019 Jack Rodwell and Ben Gladwin's contracts expired without any agreement on new contracts. As such they are free agents.[4]
July
On 1 July, Rovers announced the signing of 19 year old goalkeeper Joe Hilton following his release from Everton on a 2-year deal, he'll initially link up with the u23s.[9]
On 2 July, Rovers announced under 23s head coach Damien Johnson has been promoted to the role of first team technical coach and head of player development.[10]
On 5 July, Rovers announced the signing of midfielder Bradley Johnson from Derby County on a free transfer, he's signed a 2-year deal.[11]
On 6 July, Rovers announced that goalkeeper David Raya had joined Brentford for an undisclosed fee.[12] It was also revealed that Charlie Adam had been training with the club and he featured for Rovers in the second half of the friendly match against Barrow.[13]Derby County midfielder Jacob Butterfield was also revealed to be training with the club.[14]
On 9 July, Rovers announced the signing of young midfielder Tom White from Gateshead on a 2-year deal, he will initially link up with the u23s.[15]
On 13 July, Rovers announced the signing of Southampton striker Sam Gallagher for an undisclosed fee, on a four-year deal.[16] Also Southport announced the signing of goalkeeper Charlie Albinson following his release from Rovers.[17]
On 22 July, Rovers announced that midfielder Lewis Travis had signed a new 4-year contract until 2023, with the option of a further 12 months.[18]
On 26 July, Rovers announced that defender Scott Wharton had signed a new deal until 2022 & joined Northampton Town on loan until the end of the season.[20]
On 29 July, it was announced that Under-13 lead coach George Boateng had joined Aston Villa to take up a position as Under-18 lead coach.[21]
On 1 August Southport announced the signing of defender Jack Doyle following his release from Rovers.[23] Rovers also announced striker Joe Nuttall had joined Blackpool for undisclosed fee.[24]
On 8 August Rovers announced that defender Tyler Magloire had joined Rochdale on loan until the end of the season,[25] Rovers also announced defender Greg Cunningham had joined on loan from Cardiff City until the end of the season.[26]
On 19 August Rovers announced under 18s head coach Billy Barr had been promoted to head coach of the under 23s & Mike Sheron has agreed to take over as the new under 18s lead coach, having spent several seasons as professional development phase assistant coach at the club.[28]
On 13 January Rovers announced midfielder Tom White had extended his loan at Barrow until the end of the season,[37] Rovers also announced young defender Isaac Whitehall had signed a long-term contract at the club until 2022.[38]
On 15 January Rovers announced defender Charlie Mulgrew had returned to the club from a loan spell at Wigan Athletic at the players request.[39]
On 1 February Rovers signed winger D'Margio Wright-Phillips on a youth loan from Manchester City until the end of the season, he is the son of Shaun Wright-Phillips.[44]
March
On 5 March Rovers announced young striker Jack Vale had joined Barrow on loan until the end of the season,[33] Rovers also announced young left back Lewis Thompson had joined AFC Fylde on loan until the end of the season.[45]
On 13 March The EFL announced the season was suspended until 3 April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[46] Also Rovers announced young defender Jake Garrett had signed his 1st professional contract at the club until 2022.[47]
April
May
June
On 9 June Rovers announced young central defender Hayden Carter & young left back Lewis Thompson had signed new contracts, Carter signed a 2-year contract until 2022 & Thompson signed a 1-year contract until 2021. Rovers also announced fellow academy graduates Jack Evans & Charley Doyle will not be retained by the club when their contracts expire at the end of the month.[48]
From the development squad Rovers took the option to extend Matthew Platt contract by 12 months until 2021, whilst Brad Lyons & Ben Paton have both been offered new contracts, Jordan Eastham has signed a contract till 2022 while Sam Burns, Dan Pike, Jalil Saadi, Sam Durrant & James Connelly have signed contracts until 2021. Luke Brennan & Flavien Enzo Boyomo have been offered professional contracts but have yet to sign. Chanka Zimba, Jack Evans & Charley Doyle will not be retained by the club while D'Margio Wright-Phillips has returned to parent club Manchester City.[51]
On 29 June Rovers announced Tosin Adarabioyo will remain on loan until the end of the extended season.[52]
The first round draw was made on 20 June.[83] The second round draw was made on 13 August 2019 following the conclusion of all but one first-round matches.[84]
