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Blackburn Rovers

Heartbreak#9514.9

Blackburn, Blackburn-Burnley · England · Championship

League titles
3
last 1995
Major cups
10
last 2002
Top-2 finishes
4
Top-4 finishes
12

Power-ranking history

Hover a season for its rank and score
Rank (1 = best)1378Score (per-season normalised)0.00.51.059/6064/6569/7074/7579/8084/8589/9094/9599/0004/0509/10

Against expectation

Every English top-flight match this club has played, scored against the odds an Elo rating gave it before kick-off. Over 72 seasons from 1888-89 to 2011-12 it has fallen short of them by −3.7 match points.

Blackburn Rovers: surplus against expectation, 1888-89 to 2011-121888-89: +2.6 league points vs expected (26 on 23.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.3 match points1889-90: +1.4 league points vs expected (27 on 25.6, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.7 match points1890-91: −1.0 league points vs expected (24 on 25.0, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.5 match points1891-92: −1.9 league points vs expected (26 on 27.9, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.9 match points1892-93: −0.5 league points vs expected (29 on 29.4, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.2 match points1893-94: +2.6 league points vs expected (34 on 31.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.3 match points1894-95: +1.2 league points vs expected (32 on 30.8, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.6 match points1895-96: −1.8 league points vs expected (29 on 30.8, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.9 match points1896-97: −2.4 league points vs expected (25 on 27.4, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.2 match points1897-98: −1.9 league points vs expected (24 on 25.9, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.0 match points1898-99: +4.7 league points vs expected (36 on 31.3, 2 for a win) · bar height +2.3 match points1899-00: −1.6 league points vs expected (30 on 31.6, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.8 match points1900-01: +2.1 league points vs expected (33 on 30.9, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.0 match points1901-02: +3.0 league points vs expected (36 on 33.0, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.5 match points1902-03: −1.6 league points vs expected (29 on 30.6, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.8 match points1903-04: −3.3 league points vs expected (28 on 31.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.6 match points1904-05: −3.2 league points vs expected (27 on 30.2, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.6 match points1905-06: +4.4 league points vs expected (40 on 35.6, 2 for a win) · bar height +2.2 match points1906-07: +1.0 league points vs expected (35 on 34.0, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.5 match points1907-08: +0.9 league points vs expected (36 on 35.1, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.4 match points1908-09: +4.7 league points vs expected (41 on 36.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +2.3 match points1909-10: +3.3 league points vs expected (45 on 41.8, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.6 match points1910-11: −2.5 league points vs expected (37 on 39.5, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.2 match points1911-12: +7.3 league points vs expected (49 on 41.7, 2 for a win) · bar height +3.6 match points1912-13: +0.8 league points vs expected (45 on 44.2, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.4 match points1913-14: +3.6 league points vs expected (51 on 47.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.8 match points1914-15: −3.3 league points vs expected (43 on 46.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.7 match points1919-20: −6.7 league points vs expected (37 on 43.7, 2 for a win) · bar height −3.3 match points1920-21: −1.1 league points vs expected (41 on 42.1, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.6 match points1921-22: −1.3 league points vs expected (38 on 39.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.7 match points1922-23: −0.3 league points vs expected (40 on 40.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.2 match points1923-24: +3.8 league points vs expected (45 on 41.3, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.9 match points1924-25: −5.9 league points vs expected (35 on 40.9, 2 for a win) · bar height −3.0 match points1925-26: +2.6 league points vs expected (41 on 38.4, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.3 match points1926-27: −3.2 league points vs expected (38 on 41.2, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.6 match points1927-28: +1.3 league points vs expected (41 on 39.7, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.7 match points1928-29: +2.5 league points vs expected (45 on 42.5, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.2 match points1929-30: +3.2 league points vs expected (45 on 41.8, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.6 match points1930-31: −0.6 league points vs expected (42 on 42.6, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.3 match points1931-32: −2.1 league points vs expected (38 on 40.1, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.1 match points1932-33: −2.6 league points vs expected (38 on 40.6, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.3 match points1933-34: +3.9 league points vs expected (43 on 39.1, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.9 match points1934-35: +0.5 league points vs expected (39 on 38.5, 2 for a win) · bar height +0.2 match points1935-36: −4.7 league points vs expected (33 on 37.7, 2 for a win) · bar height −2.3 match points1946-47: −2.0 league points vs expected (36 on 38.0, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.0 match points1947-48: −3.5 league points vs expected (32 on 35.5, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.8 match points1958-59: +2.7 league points vs expected (44 on 41.3, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.4 match points1959-60: −4.8 league points vs expected (37 on 41.8, 2 for a win) · bar height −2.4 match points1960-61: +3.7 league points vs expected (43 on 39.3, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.9 match points1961-62: −1.0 league points vs expected (39 on 40.0, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.5 match points1962-63: +3.7 league points vs expected (42 on 38.3, 2 for a win) · bar height +1.9 match points1963-64: −0.0 league points vs expected (46 on 46.0, 2 for a win) · bar height −0.0 match points1964-65: −2.3 league points vs expected (42 on 44.3, 2 for a win) · bar height −1.2 match points1965-66: −16.5 league points vs expected (20 on 36.5, 2 for a win) · bar height −8.3 match points1992-93: +13.6 league points vs expected (71 on 57.4, 3 for a win) · bar height +4.3 match points1993-94: +15.2 league points vs expected (84 on 68.8, 3 for a win) · bar height +4.6 match points1994-95: +12.8 league points vs expected (89 on 76.2, 3 for a win) · bar height +3.7 match points1995-96: −2.3 league points vs expected (61 on 63.3, 3 for a win) · bar height −1.4 match points1996-97: −16.0 league points vs expected (42 on 58.0, 3 for a win) · bar height −4.6 match points1997-98: +0.3 league points vs expected (58 on 57.6, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.0 match points1998-99: −13.4 league points vs expected (35 on 48.4, 3 for a win) · bar height −3.9 match points2001-02: +1.1 league points vs expected (46 on 44.9, 3 for a win) · bar height +0.3 match points2002-03: +9.9 league points vs expected (60 on 50.1, 3 for a win) · bar height +3.6 match points2003-04: −6.3 league points vs expected (44 on 50.3, 3 for a win) · bar height −2.4 match points2004-05: −4.8 league points vs expected (42 on 46.8, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.7 match points2005-06: +13.2 league points vs expected (63 on 49.9, 3 for a win) · bar height +3.7 match points2006-07: +0.3 league points vs expected (52 on 51.7, 3 for a win) · bar height −0.4 match points2007-08: +2.8 league points vs expected (58 on 55.2, 3 for a win) · bar height +1.5 match points2008-09: −7.7 league points vs expected (41 on 48.7, 3 for a win) · bar height −2.4 match points2009-10: +4.7 league points vs expected (50 on 45.3, 3 for a win) · bar height +1.8 match points2010-11: −3.9 league points vs expected (43 on 46.9, 3 for a win) · bar height −1.2 match points2011-12: −10.9 league points vs expected (31 on 41.9, 3 for a win) · bar height −4.1 match points
1888-89one bar per season · height in match points · hover for that season2011-12
Best season against expectation
1993-94 +15.2 league pts
84 points on 68.8 expected as Blackburn Rovers
Worst season against expectation
1965-66 −16.5 league pts
20 points on 36.5 expected as Blackburn Rovers

Season points use that season’s own scoring, two for a win before 1981-82 and three after; the bars use match points so the whole series is comparable.The rating only starts telling you much after about 1960. Before that, knowing the era’s home-and-away split is almost as good as knowing the teams.

Blackburn-Burnley against expectation →How this is measured →

Greatest games

Blackburn Rovers's top matches by the club Game Score: closeness, stakes, quality and upset over one unified rating of league and European play.All-time board.

#DateStageResultScore
11912-04-03FA Cup · SemifinalsNL 0-1 v West Bromwich Albiongame score 74.4
21893-03-04FA Cup · SemifinalsNL 1-2 v Wolverhampton Wanderersgame score 73.0
31891-02-28FA Cup · SemifinalsNW 3-2 v West Bromwich Albiongame score 72.9
41890-03-08FA Cup · SemifinalsNW 1-0 v Wolverhampton Wanderersgame score 72.7
51894-03-10FA Cup · SemifinalsNL 0-1 v Notts Countygame score 72.2
61928-03-24FA Cup · SemifinalsNW 1-0 v Arsenalgame score 69.7
71995-05-14Premier LeagueAL 1-2 v Liverpoolgame score 69.2
81952-04-02FA Cup · SemifinalsNL 1-2 v Newcastle Unitedgame score 69.2
91928-04-28First DivisionAW 3-2 v Sheffield Unitedgame score 68.1
101929-03-06FA Cup · QuarterfinalsAL 1-2 v Bolton Wanderersgame score 67.5

Footprint

Tiers played
L1, L2, L3
Top-flight (L1) seasons
72
Lower-tier league seasons
55
First season
1889
Most recent season
2026
RivalriesEast Lancashire Derbyvs Burnleytwo-way

The Heartbreak Index14.9 · #95

The Damned · Major trophy, 2002

14.9
Heartbreak
#95
of 1,139 clubs
#43
in Football
12.4
agony · 2.5 despair
The clocks
  • Major trophy since 20026.4
  • Major final appearance since 20023.6
  • League title since 19950.7
Heaviest wounds

relegated from the top flight, 2012 · relegated from the top flight, 1999 · lost the national cup final, 1960 · survived a relegation scare, 2011

One formula, every club the site covers. See the whole board →

Season-by-season

Most recent season first. Covers Levels 1 through 5 of the English pyramid. Rows tagged "national playoff" are pre-modern formats where the workbook records only playoff participants, not round-robin standings.

2027
Championship (2) · P16● live
7 P · 2-2-3 · 10:10 · 0
8
pts
2026
Championship (2) · P20
46 P · 13-13-20 · 42:56 · -14
52
pts
2025
Championship (2) · P7
46 P · 19-9-18 · 53:48 · +5
66
pts
2024
Championship (2) · P19
46 P · 14-11-21 · 60:74 · -14
53
pts
2023
Championship (2) · P7
46 P · 20-9-17 · 52:54 · -2
69
pts
2022
Championship (2) · P8
46 P · 19-12-15 · 59:50 · +9
69
pts
2021
Championship (2) · P15
46 P · 15-12-19 · 65:54 · +11
57
pts
2020
Championship (2) · P11
46 P · 17-12-17 · 66:63 · +3
63
pts
2019
Championship (2) · P15
46 P · 16-12-18 · 64:69 · -5
60
pts
2018
League One (3) · P2↑
46 P · 28-12-6 · 82:40 · +42
96
pts
2017
Championship (2) · P22↓
46 P · 12-15-19 · 53:65 · -12
51
pts
2016
Championship (2) · P15
46 P · 13-16-17 · 46:46 · 0
55
pts
Show all 128 seasons
2015
Championship (2) · P9
46 P · 17-16-13 · 66:59 · +7
67
pts
2014
Championship (2) · P8
46 P · 18-16-12 · 70:62 · +8
70
pts
2013
Championship (2) · P17
46 P · 14-16-16 · 55:62 · -7
58
pts
2012
Premier League (1) · P19↓
38 P · 8-7-23 · 48:78 · -30
31
pts
2011
Premier League (1) · P15
38 P · 11-10-17 · 46:59 · -13
43
pts
2010
Premier League (1) · P10
38 P · 13-11-14 · 41:55 · -14
50
pts
Lg Cup SF
2009
Premier League (1) · P15
38 P · 10-11-17 · 40:60 · -20
41
pts
2008
Premier League (1) · P7
38 P · 15-13-10 · 50:48 · +2
58
pts
UC
2007
Premier League (1) · P10
38 P · 15-7-16 · 52:54 · -2
52
pts
FA SFUCUC
2006
Premier League (1) · P6
38 P · 19-6-13 · 51:42 · +9
63
pts
Lg Cup SFUC
2005
Premier League (1) · P15
38 P · 9-15-14 · 32:43 · -11
42
pts
FA SF
2004
Premier League (1) · P15
38 P · 12-8-18 · 51:59 · -8
44
pts
UC
2003
Premier League (1) · P6
38 P · 16-12-10 · 52:43 · +9
60
pts
Lg Cup SFUCUC
2002
Premier League (1) · P10
38 P · 12-10-16 · 55:51 · +4
46
pts
Lg CupUC
2001
First Division (2) · P2↑
46 P · 26-13-7 · 76:39 · +37
91
pts
2000
First Division (2) · P11
46 P · 15-17-14 · 55:51 · +4
62
pts
1999
Premier League (1) · P19↓
38 P · 7-14-17 · 38:52 · -14
35
pts
UC
1998
Premier League (1) · P6
38 P · 16-10-12 · 57:52 · +5
58
pts
UC
1997
Premier League (1) · P13
38 P · 9-15-14 · 42:43 · -1
42
pts
1996
Premier League (1) · P7
38 P · 18-7-13 · 61:47 · +14
61
pts
CL
1995
Premier League (1) · P1★
42 P · 27-8-7 · 80:39 · +41
89
pts
UCCL
1994
Premier League (1) · P2
42 P · 25-9-8 · 63:36 · +27
84
pts
UC
1993
Premier League (1) · P4
42 P · 20-11-11 · 68:46 · +22
71
pts
Lg Cup SF
1992
Second Division (2) · P6↑
46 P · 21-11-14 · 70:53 · +17
74
pts
1991
Second Division (2) · P19
46 P · 14-10-22 · 51:66 · -15
52
pts
1990
Second Division (2) · P5PO
46 P · 19-17-10 · 74:59 · +15
74
pts
1989
Second Division (2) · P5PO
46 P · 22-11-13 · 74:59 · +15
77
pts
1988
Second Division (2) · P5PO
44 P · 21-14-9 · 68:52 · +16
77
pts
1987
Second Division (2) · P12
42 P · 15-10-17 · 45:55 · -10
55
pts
1986
Second Division (2) · P18
42 P · 12-13-17 · 53:62 · -9
49
pts
1985
Second Division (2) · P5
42 P · 21-10-11 · 66:41 · +25
73
pts
1984
Second Division (2) · P6
42 P · 17-16-9 · 57:46 · +11
67
pts
1983
Second Division (2) · P11
42 P · 15-12-15 · 58:58 · 0
57
pts
1982
Second Division (2) · P10
42 P · 16-11-15 · 47:43 · +4
59
pts
1981
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 16-18-8 · 42:29 · +13
50
pts
1980
Third Division (3) · P2↑
46 P · 25-9-12 · 58:36 · +22
59
pts
1979
Second Division (2) · P22↓
42 P · 10-10-22 · 41:72 · -31
30
pts
1978
Second Division (2) · P5
42 P · 16-13-13 · 56:60 · -4
45
pts
1977
Second Division (2) · P12
42 P · 15-9-18 · 42:54 · -12
39
pts
1976
Second Division (2) · P15
42 P · 12-14-16 · 45:50 · -5
38
pts
1975
Third Division (3) · P1↑
46 P · 22-16-8 · 68:45 · +23
60
pts
1974
Third Division (3) · P13
46 P · 18-10-18 · 62:64 · -2
46
pts
1973
Third Division (3) · P3
46 P · 20-15-11 · 57:47 · +10
55
pts
1972
Third Division (3) · P10
46 P · 19-9-18 · 54:57 · -3
47
pts
1971
Second Division (2) · P21↓
42 P · 6-15-21 · 37:69 · -32
27
pts
1970
Second Division (2) · P8
42 P · 20-7-15 · 54:50 · +4
47
pts
1969
Second Division (2) · P19
42 P · 13-11-18 · 52:63 · -11
37
pts
1968
Second Division (2) · P8
42 P · 16-11-15 · 56:49 · +7
43
pts
1967
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 19-13-10 · 56:46 · +10
51
pts
1966
First Division (1) · P22↓
42 P · 8-4-30 · 57:88 · -31
20
pts
1965
First Division (1) · P10
42 P · 16-10-16 · 83:79 · +4
42
pts
1964
First Division (1) · P7
42 P · 18-10-14 · 89:65 · +24
46
pts
1963
First Division (1) · P11
42 P · 15-12-15 · 79:71 · +8
42
pts
1962
First Division (1) · P16
42 P · 14-11-17 · 50:58 · -8
39
pts
Lg Cup SF
1961
First Division (1) · P8
42 P · 15-13-14 · 77:76 · +1
43
pts
1960
First Division (1) · P17
42 P · 16-5-21 · 60:70 · -10
37
pts
FA
1959
First Division (1) · P10
42 P · 17-10-15 · 76:70 · +6
44
pts
1958
Second Division (2) · P2↑
42 P · 22-12-8 · 93:57 · +36
56
pts
FA SF
1957
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 21-10-11 · 83:75 · +8
52
pts
1956
Second Division (2) · P4
42 P · 21-6-15 · 84:65 · +19
48
pts
1955
Second Division (2) · P6
42 P · 22-6-14 · 114:79 · +35
50
pts
1954
Second Division (2) · P3
42 P · 23-9-10 · 86:50 · +36
55
pts
1953
Second Division (2) · P9
42 P · 18-8-16 · 68:65 · +3
44
pts
1952
Second Division (2) · P14
42 P · 17-6-19 · 54:63 · -9
40
pts
FA SF
1951
Second Division (2) · P6
42 P · 19-8-15 · 65:66 · -1
46
pts
1950
Second Division (2) · P16
42 P · 14-10-18 · 55:60 · -5
38
pts
1949
Second Division (2) · P14
42 P · 15-8-19 · 53:63 · -10
38
pts
1948
First Division (1) · P21↓
42 P · 11-10-21 · 54:72 · -18
32
pts
1947
First Division (1) · P17
42 P · 14-8-20 · 45:53 · -8
36
pts
1939
Second Division (2) · P1↑
42 P · 25-5-12 · 94:60 · +34
55
pts
1938
Second Division (2) · P16
42 P · 14-10-18 · 71:80 · -9
38
pts
1937
Second Division (2) · P12
42 P · 16-10-16 · 70:62 · +8
42
pts
1936
First Division (1) · P22↓
42 P · 12-9-21 · 55:96 · -41
33
pts
1935
First Division (1) · P15
42 P · 14-11-17 · 66:78 · -12
39
pts
1934
First Division (1) · P8
42 P · 18-7-17 · 74:81 · -7
43
pts
1933
First Division (1) · P15
42 P · 14-10-18 · 76:102 · -26
38
pts
1932
First Division (1) · P16
42 P · 16-6-20 · 89:95 · -6
38
pts
1931
First Division (1) · P10
42 P · 17-8-17 · 83:84 · -1
42
pts
1930
First Division (1) · P6
42 P · 19-7-16 · 99:93 · +6
45
pts
1929
First Division (1) · P7
42 P · 17-11-14 · 72:63 · +9
45
pts
1928
First Division (1) · P12
42 P · 16-9-17 · 66:78 · -12
41
pts
FA
1927
First Division (1) · P18
42 P · 15-8-19 · 77:96 · -19
38
pts
1926
First Division (1) · P12
42 P · 15-11-16 · 91:80 · +11
41
pts
1925
First Division (1) · P16
42 P · 11-13-18 · 53:66 · -13
35
pts
FA SF
1924
First Division (1) · P8
42 P · 17-11-14 · 54:50 · +4
45
pts
1923
First Division (1) · P14
42 P · 14-12-16 · 47:62 · -15
40
pts
1922
First Division (1) · P15
42 P · 13-12-17 · 54:57 · -3
38
pts
1921
First Division (1) · P11
42 P · 13-15-14 · 57:59 · -2
41
pts
1920
First Division (1) · P20
42 P · 13-11-18 · 64:77 · -13
37
pts
1915
First Division (1) · P3
38 P · 18-7-13 · 83:61 · +22
43
pts
1914
First Division (1) · P1★
38 P · 20-11-7 · 78:42 · +36
51
pts
1913
First Division (1) · P5
38 P · 16-13-9 · 79:43 · +36
45
pts
1912
First Division (1) · P1★
38 P · 20-9-9 · 60:43 · +17
49
pts
FA SF
1911
First Division (1) · P12
38 P · 13-11-14 · 62:54 · +8
37
pts
FA SF
1910
First Division (1) · P3
38 P · 18-9-11 · 73:55 · +18
45
pts
1909
First Division (1) · P4
38 P · 14-13-11 · 61:50 · +11
41
pts
1908
First Division (1) · P14
38 P · 12-12-14 · 51:63 · -12
36
pts
1907
First Division (1) · P12
38 P · 14-7-17 · 56:59 · -3
35
pts
1906
First Division (1) · P9
38 P · 16-8-14 · 54:52 · +2
40
pts
1905
First Division (1) · P13
34 P · 11-5-18 · 40:51 · -11
27
pts
1904
First Division (1) · P15
34 P · 11-6-17 · 48:60 · -12
28
pts
1903
First Division (1) · P16
34 P · 12-5-17 · 44:63 · -19
29
pts
1902
First Division (1) · P4
34 P · 15-6-13 · 52:48 · +4
36
pts
1901
First Division (1) · P9
34 P · 12-9-13 · 39:47 · -8
33
pts
1900
First Division (1) · P14
34 P · 13-4-17 · 49:61 · -12
30
pts
1899
First Division (1) · P6
34 P · 14-8-12 · 60:52 · +8
36
pts
1898
First Division (1) · P15
30 P · 7-10-13 · 39:54 · -15
24
pts
1897
First Division (1) · P14
30 P · 11-3-16 · 35:62 · -27
25
pts
1896
First Division (1) · P8
30 P · 12-5-13 · 40:50 · -10
29
pts
1895
First Division (1) · P5
30 P · 11-10-9 · 59:49 · +10
32
pts
1894
First Division (1) · P4
30 P · 16-2-12 · 69:53 · +16
34
pts
FA SF
1893
First Division (1) · P9
30 P · 8-13-9 · 47:56 · -9
29
pts
FA SF
1892
First Division (1) · P9
26 P · 10-6-10 · 58:65 · -7
26
pts
1891
First Division (1) · P6
22 P · 11-2-9 · 52:43 · +9
24
pts
FA
1890
First Division (1) · P3
22 P · 12-3-7 · 78:41 · +37
27
pts
FA
1889
First Division (1) · P4
22 P · 10-6-6 · 66:45 · +21
26
pts
FA SF
Domestic Cup Finals

Most recent first. Every domestic cup final the club has played, including losses. Scheduled finals (date not yet passed) are flagged.

2002
League Cup
Won
1995
Community Shield
Runner-up
1994
Community Shield
Runner-up
1960
FA Cup
Runner-up
1928
FA Cup
Won
1928
Community Shield
Runner-up
1912
Community Shield
Won
1891
FA Cup
Won
1890
FA Cup
Won
1886
FA Cup
Won
1885
FA Cup
Won
1884
FA Cup
Won
Show all 13 rows
1882
FA Cup
Runner-up
European competition appearances

Most recent first. One row per entry showing the deepest round reached. A Cup Winner badge marks tournaments the club won: gold for the European Cup / Champions League, silver for every other UEFA or Intercontinental trophy.

2007-08
UEFA Cup(UC)
Qualifying
2006-07
UEFA Cup(UC)
Group stage
2003-04
UEFA Cup(UC)
Qualifying
2002-03
UEFA Cup(UC)
Round of 32 / qualifying
1998-99
UEFA Cup(UC)
Round of 32 / qualifying
1995-96
Champions League(CL)
Round of 16
1994-95
UEFA Cup(UC)
Round of 32 / qualifying