I like Blackburn Rovers. I don’t really know why, maybe it’s the fact they stopped Man Utd winning the league all those years ago. Maybe it’s because their shirts have always looked pretty smart or maybe I have a particular penchant for Thwaites Beer, who knows. By all logic, Blackburn should be bottom of the pile in terms of away trips but still…

A trip to Ewood Park is always seemingly on a midweek night, it’s always freezing and the majority of time Sunderland get beat. But maybe it’s actually good. Anyway, here’s what you need to know about Blackburn.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

If you’re driving, take the A1(M) to Scotch Corner then onto the A66, A685 before joining the M6 at Tebay. Follow this all the way down to junction 9 before joining the M65 heading towards Blackburn. Exit at junction 4 onto the A666 and follow the signs for Ewood Park. There’s plenty of parking available around the ground.

Sat nav losers: BB2 4JF

Blackburn railway station is about a mile and a half from the ground so you can either walk or take the number 1 bus.

WHAT’S THE GROUND LIKE?

If there is one thing I can guarantee about your trip to Ewood Park is that it’ll be freezing. Even in the height of summer, the stadium generates its own microclimate ensuring that it will be at a constant state of 4°C with the wind whipping in your face.

The good thing about the ground is that Blackburn always give teams like ourselves a healthy allocation, so you can belt out the tunes in the Darwen End.

WHAT ARE THE BEST PUBS FOR AWAY FANS IN BLACKBURN?

Blackburn do put on some kind of loser fanzone at the ground, so if you want to stand outside drinking expensive Carling from a plastic cup, then knock yourself out. The traditional away fans pub is The Fernhurst on Bolton Road, about a stone’s throw from Ewood Park.

In the town centre, both the Adelphi (Railway Road) and The Drummer’s Arms (King William Street) are decent places to while away the pre-match. While The Postal Order (Darwen Street) provides all your Wetherspoons needs.

WHAT’S TO SEE IN BLACKBURN?

You could go and see Blackburn Cathedral, it’s been there for ages and it’s free to have a nosey around. There’s also a Llama Wellbeing Farm in nearby Edgeworth, you can pet llamas and stuff like that, sounds pretty great to be fair.