Jack Walker, the man who funded Blackburn Rovers' 1995 Premiership title-winning team, has died, aged 70. Walker was co-owner of Britain's biggest independent steel manufacturers and ploughed much of the proceeds from the subsequent sale of the company to British Steel into his beloved Rovers.

Although based in Jersey, Walker travelled to every game. Blackburn were struggling in the old second division when Walker took control in 1991.

His money not only dragged Rovers to the summit of English football, it also funded a massive redevelopment of Ewood Park.

He lured Kenny Dalglish and Alan Shearer to Lancashire, moves which proved to be the catalyst for the 1995 Premiership success.

But, in recent times, illness forced him to hand over day-to-day control of club affairs and he was unable to prevent Rovers' relegation just four years after their title win.