| Club: | Blackburn Rovers |
| Season: | 2022–23 |
| Owner: | Venkys London Ltd |
| Chairman: | Steve Waggott |
| Chrtitle: | CEO |
| Manager: | Jon Dahl Tomasson |
| Mgrtitle: | Head Coach |
| Stadium: | Ewood Park |
| League: | Championship |
| League Result: | 7th |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Quarter-finals |
| Cup2: | EFL Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Fourth round |
| League Topscorer: | Ben Brereton Díaz (14) |
| Season Topscorer: | Ben Brereton Díaz (16) |
| Highest Attendance: | 18,544 vs Norwich City (7 April 2023, Championship) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 11,803 vs Watford (13 September 2022, Championship) |
| Pattern La1: | _rovers2223h |
| Pattern B1: | _rovers2223h |
| Pattern Ra1: | _rovers2223h |
| Pattern Sh1: | _rovers2223h |
| Pattern So1: | _whitetop |
| Leftarm1: | FFFFFF |
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| Rightarm1: | 0000FF |
| Shorts1: | FFFFFF |
| Socks1: | 0000FF |
| Pattern La2: | _blackburn2223a |
| Pattern B2: | _blackburn2223a |
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| Pattern Sh2: | _blackburn2223a |
| Leftarm2: | 161d32 |
| Body2: | 161d32 |
| Rightarm2: | 161d32 |
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| Pattern La3: | _blackburn2223t |
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| Pattern So3: | _whitestripe |
| Socks3: | ff2404 |
| Updated: | 8 May 2023 |
| Prevseason: | 2021–22 |
| Nextseason: | 2023–24 |
The 2022–23 season is the 135th season in the existence of Blackburn Rovers Football Club and the club's fifth consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the league, they also competed in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.
On 5 May, Rovers confirmed their first pre-season friendly fixture, with the club to set play Scottish Premier League champions Celtic on 16 July at Celtic Park. A week later, on 12 May, Rovers confirmed the second game of their pre-season campaign, this time against EFL League Two side Hartlepool United, set to take place on 20 July at Victoria Park. Blackburn also confirmed fixtures against EFL League One opposition Accrington Stanley and Lincoln City, with both friendlies to take place away from home, with Rovers visiting Stanley's Crown Ground on 9 July and Lincoln's Sincil Bank Stadium on 23 July.
On 1 May 2022, Rovers announced u23 striker Sam Burns had signed a new one-year contract.[1]
On 11 May 2022, Rovers announced manager Tony Mowbray will be leaving the club.[2]
On 20 May 2022, Rovers confirmed their retained list for the 2022–23 season. The club confirmed it had activated the additional-year clauses in the contracts of Ben Brereton Diaz, Dan Butterworth, Tyler Magloire and Jordan Eastham, with the players now under contract at the club until 30 June 2023. Meanwhile, the club confirmed it had opted against offering deals to retain Bradley Johnson, Jacob Davenport, Harry Chapman, Luke Brennan, Connor McBride, Sam Durrant and Joe Nolan, whilst scholars Joe Ferguson, Brandon Lonsdale and Evan Cunningham were not offered professional deals, with all of the players to leave Rovers upon the expiration of their contracts on 30 June. Blackburn also confirmed Joe Rothwell would be departing the club, with Rothwell confirming his intention to leave at the end of his contract.[3]
On 24 May 2022, Rovers announced assistant manager Mark Venus will be leaving the club.[4]
On 25 May 2022, Rovers announced the appointment of Mark Burton as the club's new Under-23s assistant coach.[5]
On 26 May 2022, Rovers announced u23 midfielder Isaac Whitehall had signed a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.[6]
On 8 June 2022, Rovers announced the appointment of Gregg Broughton as Director of Football.[7]
On 14 June 2022, Rovers announced the appointment of Jon Dahl Tomasson as our new Head Coach on a contract till June 2025. He will be joined by new assistant coach Remy Reynierse and performance director Ben Rosen.[8]
On 15 June 2022, Rovers announced that Head of Academy coach Tony Carss would be leaving the club to take up a position at Aston Villa.[9]
On 21 June 2022, Rovers Rovers announced u23 defender Patrick Gamble had signed his 1st professional a one-year deal until 2023 .[10] Rovers also announced that Head of Recruitment John Park would be leaving the club. It was also announced by the club the same day that several additions to the Recruitment department had been made, with Tom Sutton (Oxford United F.C.) and Karl Newton (Stockport County) joining Anthony Bates at the club.[11]
On 22 June 2022, Rovers announced u23 defender George Pratt had signed his 1st professional contract a two-year deal until 2024.[12]
On 23 June 2022, Rovers announced u23 defender Jalil Saadi had signed a new contract a two-year deal until 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.[13]
On 24 June 2022, Rovers announced u18 forward Harrison Wood had signed his 1st professional contract a two-year deal until 2024.[14]
On 25 June 2022, Rovers announced u18 goalkeeper Felix Goddard had signed his 1st professional contract a two-year deal until 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.[15]
On 29 June 2022, Rovers announced u18 midfielder Kristi Montgomery had signed his 1st professional contract a two-year deal until 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.[16] Rovers also announced that Chris Renshaw has been promoted to assistant first team goalkeeping/transition coach making the step up from his role as Academy goalkeeping coach.[17]
On 30 June 2022, Rovers announced u18 midfielder Charlie Weston had signed his 1st professional contract a two-year deal until 2024.[18]
On 14 July 2022, Rovers announced u18 defender Jay Haddow had signed his 1st professional contract a two-year deal until 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.[19]
On 22 July 2022, Rovers announced the appointment of Gus Williams as the club’s new Head of Player Recruitment..[20]
On 2 September 2022, Rovers announced midfielder John Buckley had signed a new long term contract a five-year deal until 2027.
On 12 September 2022, Rovers announced midfielder Adam Wharton had signed a new long term contract a five-year deal until 2027.
On 20 September 2022, Rovers announced defender Ashley Phillips had signed his 1st professional contract a three-year deal until 2025.
On 27 September 2022, Rovers announced U23 defender Sam Barnes had signed a new one-year until 2023, with the option of a further 12 months.
On 12 October 2022, Rovers announced the appointment of Jordan McCann as Head of Academy Coaching.[21]
On 24 October 2022, Rovers announced forward Jack Vale had signed a new long term contract a three-year deal until 2025, with the option of a further 12 months.
On 25 October 2022, Rovers announced u21 defender Jake Batty had signed his 1st professional contract a three-year deal until 2025.
On 17 November 2022, Rovers announced u18 midfielder James Edmundson had signed his 1st professional contract a three-year deal until 2025.[22]
On 23 November 2022, Rovers announced the appointment of Adam Collins from Manchester City as Head of Performance Analysis, Also Luke Griffin recently arrived as Head of European Scouting.[23]
On 27 January 2023, Rovers announced u21 midfielder Harley O’Grady-Macken had signed his 1st professional contract a two-&-half-year deal until 2025.[24]
On 1 March 2023, Rovers announced they had been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien and Rochdale midfielder Ethan Brierley.[25]
On 6 March 2023, Rovers announced Gus Williams will be leaving his role as Rovers’ Head of Player Recruitment to return to Wales.[26]
On 21 March 2023, Rovers announced midfielder Jake Garrett had signed a new four-year deal until 2027.
On 22 March 2023, Rovers announced goalkeeper Jordan Eastham had signed a new two-year deal until 2025.
On 28 March 2023, Rovers announced goalkeeper Joe Hilton had signed a new two-year deal until 2025.
On 29 March 2023, Rovers announced defender Scott Wharton had signed a new four-year deal until 2027.
On 30 March 2023, Rovers announced defender Hayden Carter had signed a new four-year deal until 2027.
On 17 April 2023, Rovers announced the appointment of Sean Kimberley as the club’s new Head of Player Recruitment..[27]
On 1 May 2023, Rovers announced Dominic Hyam had been voted Player of the Season he also was voted Players Player of the Season, Adam Wharton was voted Young Player of the Season, Joe Rankin-Costello won the most Man of the Match awards, Hayden Carter was voted Unsung Hero, Sammie Szmodics was voted best Newcomer of the Season & Harry Pickering's goal against Sheffield United was voted Goal of the Season.[28] [29]
On 8 May 2023, Rovers announced forward Ben Brereton Diaz will be leaving the club at the end of his contract on 30 June.[30]
On 12 May 2023, Rovers announced goalkeeper Aynsley Pears had signed a new four-year deal until 2027.
On 16 May 2023, Rovers announced forward Danny Butterworth will be leaving the club at the end of his contract on 30 June.[31]
On 17 May 2023, Rovers announced attacking midfielder Bradley Dack will be leaving the club at the end of his contract on 30 June.[32]
On 18 May 2023, Rovers announced defender Daniel Ayala will be leaving the club at the end of his contract on 30 June.[33]
Backroom staff last updated on 27 November 2022. List is representative of staff available on rovers.co.uk.[34]
Players and squad numbers last updated on 8 May 2022. List is representative of players who have made an appearance for the first-team this season and of information available on Rovers.co.uk.[35]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | Date of birth & age | Year joined | Contract expires | Joined from | Other | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||
| 35 | GK | Jordan Eastham | 2001 9, df=yes | 2018 | 2025 | Academy | [36] | ||
| 34 | GK | Joe Hilton | 1999 10, df=yes | 2019 | 2025 | Everton | [37] | ||
| 1 | GK |  | Thomas Kaminski | 1992 10, df=yes | 2020 | 2025 | Gent | [38] | |
| 13 | GK | Aynsley Pears | 1998 4, df=yes | 2020 | 2027 | [39] | |||
| Defenders | |||||||||
| 4 | DF | Daniel Ayala | 1990 11, df=yes | 2020 | 2023 | Middlesbrough | [40] | ||
| 32 | DF | Sam Barnes | 2001 3, df=yes | 2012 | 2024 (+1) | Academy | Option for 12 month extension | [41] | |
| 40 | DF | Jake Batty | 2005 4, df=yes | 2021 | 2025 | Academy | [42] | ||
| 2 | DF | Callum Brittain | 1998 3, df=yes | 2022 | 2026 | Barnsley | [43] | ||
| 17 | DF | Hayden Carter | 1999 12, df=yes | 2014 | 2027 | Academy | [44] | ||
| 5 | DF | Dominic Hyam | 1995 12, df=yes | 2022 | 2025 | Coventry City | [45] | ||
| 15 | DF | Clinton Mola | 2001 3, df=yes | 2022 | 2023 | Stuttgart | On loan from Stuttgart | [46] | |
| 3 | DF | Harry Pickering | 1998 12, df=yes | 2021 | 2025 | Crewe Alexandra | [47] | ||
| 33 | DF | Ashley Phillips | 2005 6, df=yes | 2017 | 2025 | Academy | [48] | ||
| 16 | DF | Scott Wharton | 1997 10, df=yes | 2010 | 2027 | Academy | [49] | ||
| Midfielders | |||||||||
| 21 | MF | John Buckley | 1999 10, df=yes | 2006 | 2027 | Academy | [50] | ||
| 23 | MF | Bradley Dack | 1993 12, df=yes | 2017 | 2023 (+1) | Gillingham | Option for 12 month extension | [51] | |
| 10 | MF | Tyrhys Dolan | 2001 12, df=yes | 2020 | 2024 (+1) | Preston North End | Option for 12 month extension | [52] | |
| 7 | MF | Tayo Edun | 1998 5, df=yes | 2021 | 2024 (+1) | Lincoln City | Option for 12 month extension | [53] | |
| 30 | MF | Jake Garrett | 2003 3, df=yes | 2013 | 2027 | Academy | [54] | ||
| 37 | MF | Jared Harlock | 2002 9, df=yes | 2019 | 2023 | Academy | [55] | ||
| 19 | MF | Ryan Hedges | 1995 7, df=yes | 2022 | 2025 (+1) | Aberdeen | Option for 12 month extension | [56] | |
| 6 | MF | Tyler Morton | 2002 10, df=yes | 2022 | 2023 | Liverpool | On loan from Liverpool | [57] | |
| 11 | MF | Joe Rankin-Costello | 1999 7, df=yes | 2014 | 2024 | Academy | [58] | ||
| 8 | MF |  | Sammie Szmodics | 1995 9, df=yes | 2022 | 2025 (+1) | Peterborough United | Option for 12 month extension | [59] |
| 14 | MF | Sorba Thomas | 1999 1, df=yes | 2023 | 2023 | Huddersfield Town | On loan from Huddersfield Town | [60] | |
| 27 | MF | Lewis Travis | 1997 10, df=yes | 2014 | 2026 | Academy | [61] | ||
| 36 | MF | Adam Wharton | 2004 6, df=yes | 2010 | 2027 | Academy | [62] | ||
| Forwards | |||||||||
| 22 | FW | Ben Brereton Diaz | 1999 4, df=yes | 2018 | 2023 | Nottingham Forest | [63] | ||
| 9 | FW | Sam Gallagher | 1995 9, df=yes | 2019 | 2024 (+1) | Southampton | Option for 12 month extension | [64] | |
| 38 | FW | Harry Leonard | 2003 9, df=yes | 2013 | 2025 | Academy | [65] | ||
| 18 | FW | Dilan Markanday | 2001 8, df=yes | 2022 | 2025 (+1) | Tottenham Hotspur | On loan at Aberdeen, Option for 12 month extension | [66] | |
| 29 | FW | Jack Vale | 2001 3, df=yes | 2017 | 2025 (+1) | Academy | Option for 12 month extension | [67] | |
| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred from | Fee | Ref | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2022 | Free Transfer | [68] | Signed for Blackburn Rovers U23's | ||||
| 21 July 2022 | Undisclosed | ||||||
| 1 August 2022 | Undisclosed | ||||||
| 28 August 2022 | Undisclosed |
| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred to | Fee | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2022 | (Wigan Athletic) | Released | [69] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | (Bradford City) | Released | [70] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | Evan Cunningham | (Atherton Collieries) | Released | [71] | ||
| 30 June 2022 | (Lincoln City) | Released | [72] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | (Sheffield Wednesday) | Released | [73] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | (Matlock Town) | Released | [74] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | (Milton Keynes Dons) | Released | [75] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | (Middlesbrough) | Rejected contract | [76] [77] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | Brandon Lonsdale | (Nelson) | Released | |||
| 30 June 2022 | Connor McBride | (Raith Rovers) | Released | [78] | ||
| 30 June 2022 | (Wigan Athletic) | End of Contract (player & club failed to reach agreement) | [79] | |||
| 30 June 2022 | Joe Nolan | (Chorley) | Released | [80] | ||
| 30 June 2022 | (Bournemouth) | Released | [81] [82] | |||
| 1 July 2022 | Free transfer | [83] | ||||
| 28 July 2022 | Undisclosed | [84] | ||||
| 10 January 2023 | Free Transfer | [85] |
Brackets around club names indicate the player joined that club after his Blackburn Rovers contract expired.
| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned from | On loan until | Ref | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 August 2022 | End of Season | ||||||
| 31 August 2022 | End of Season (Recalled) | [86] [87] | Includes option to buy | ||||
| 1 September 2022 | End of Season | Includes option to buy | |||||
| 25 January 2023 | End of Season |
| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned to | On loan until | Ref | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 July 2022 | Felix Goddard | 1 January 2023 | [88] | ||||
| 29 July 2022 | End of Season (Recalled) | [89] [90] | |||||
| 29 July 2022 | Jordan Eastham | Youth Loan | [91] | ||||
| 1 September 2022 | End of Season | [92] | |||||
| 22 November 2022 | One Month Loan | [93] [94] | Includes option to buy | ||||
| 17 January 2023 | End of Season | [95] | |||||
| 31 January 2023 | End of Season | [96] | |||||
| 7 March 2023 | 2 months | [97] | |||||
| 9 March 2023 | Felix Goddard | End of Season | [98] |
Rovers announced the first of their pre-season friendly matches with a visit to Scotland to face Celtic on 16 July.[99] On their return to England they travel to Hartlepool United on 20 July.[100] On 16 May, a match with Lincoln City was scheduled for 23 July.[101] A day later a fourth fixture was announced, with a trip to Accrington Stanley scheduled for 9 July 2022.[102] On 15 June, a friendly date with Dundee was confirmed.[103] On 29 November, a friendly against Ajax was confirmed.[104] On 30 November, a friendly against Hearts was confirmed.[105]
See main article: 2022–23 EFL Championship.
On 23 June, the league fixtures were announced.
See main article: 2022–23 FA Cup.
Rovers entered the FA Cup at the third round stage and were drawn away to Norwich City.[106] They were drawn at home to either Forest Green Rovers or Birmingham City in the fourth round.[107]
See main article: 2022–23 EFL Cup.
Blackburn Rovers were drawn at home to Hartlepool United in the first round, away to Bradford City in the second round and away to West Ham United in the third round.[108] [109] [110] A fourth round home tie against Nottingham Forest was next in the EFL Cup.[111]
|-|colspan="14"|Players out on loan:|-|colspan="14"|Players that played for Blackburn Rovers this season that have left the club:|-|}
| Rank | No. | Pos. | Name | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | width=70 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | FW | Ben Brereton Díaz | 14 | 1 | 1 | 16 | |
| 2 | 9 | FW | Sam Gallagher | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
| 3 | 8 | MF | Sammie Szmodics | 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 | |
| = | 23 | MF | Bradley Dack | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 | |
| 5 | 10 | MF | Tyrhys Dolan | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| 6 | 19 | MF | Ryan Hedges | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 7 | 11 | MF | Joe Rankin-Costello | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| = | 16 | DF | Scott Wharton | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 9 | 18 | FW | Dilan Markanday | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| = | 27 | MF | Lewis Travis | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| = | 29 | FW | Jack Vale | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| = | 36 | MF | Adam Wharton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 11 | 3 | DF | Harry Pickering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| = | 4 | DF | Daniel Ayala | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| = | 6 | DF | Dominic Hyam | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| = | 17 | DF | Hayden Carter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| — | — | — | Own goal | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Total | 52 | 8 | 9 | 69 | ||||