His Football Career Highlights

Simon Garner started playing for his loal club Boston United under Howard Wilkinson. At 16, he signed for Blackburn Rovers as trainee after spotted by their scouts. His Blackburn football career was threatened by youth team manager John Pickering, who was unimpressed with his apprentice's smoking habits. 'Pick' recommended Garner's dismissal to first-team boss Jim Smith. The young Garner was called into the manager's office. However, rather than ending his Rovers career early, the 'Bald Eagle' instead advised him not to get caught and offered him a cigar. Garner signed a professional contract in July 1978, making his debut the same year against Newcastle United.

Howard Kendall, who had ironically tried to sell Garner to Halifax for £40,000, was the man who gave him his chance as a centre-forward at Ewood Park. And he went on to flourish under Bobby Saxton, with his pace and power proving a huge handful for defenders.

During the play- off finals at Wembley, manager Kenny Dalglish ensured that the 31-years-old Simon Garner was given one of the three non-playing places on the bench. So there he was, smoking agitatedly through an entire pack as his club reached the Premiership, just like any fan. And when, at Blackburn Town Hall, the team were feted on their return, there, of course, was Garner again, grin-ning and happy and slightly inebriated. And what did the crowd sing? "There's Only One Simon Garner...". Blackburn Rovers were promoted in time for the first Premier League season in 1992. Simon Garner had made 570 appearances and scored 194 goals.

West Bromwich Albion manager Ossie Ardiles, a former rovers player, signed Simon Garner in August 1992 for £30,000. He made 33 league appearances for the Baggies and scored 8 goals. In February 1994, Wycombe Wanderers Martin O'Neill signed him up on a free transfer. His goals in both legs of the play-off semi-final, and in the play-off final helped the club to secure promotion in the club's first season in the league. Garner scored 15 goals in 66 appearances for the Chairboys. He had a brief loan spell with Torquay United in January 1996, before joining non-league Woking on a free transfer in June the same year.

More than 13,390 fans turned up in honour for all-time top scorer Simon Garner's testimonial match at Ewood Park. And Premiership Winner manager Kenny Dalglish led the Garner Starting Eleven Heroes, which was a mixture of Rovers experience and youth with the triumphant Under 19's champions of England from midweek also included in the squad. Rovers XI was led by Graeme Souness consisting several members of the Worthington Cup winning squad. Blackburn referee Eddie Wolstenholme made his last official appearance before retiring.

ROVERS XI- Graeme Souness:
Alan Kelly (sub Ryan Robinson 46 mins), Martin Talyor, Nils-Eric Johansson, Andy Todd, James McEveley, Craig Hignett, Tugay Kerimoglu, David Dunn (sub Clark Walsh 78 mins), Jonathan Douglas (sub Damien Duff 46mins), Egil Ostenstad, Dwight Yorke.

CHAMPIONS GARNER XI- Kenny Dalglish:
Tim Flowers (sub Bobby Mimms 27 mins), Andy Talyor, Alex Bruce, Michael Taylor, Alan Morgan, Kevin Gallacher (sub Neil Danns 54 mins), Mike Newell (sub Gary Harkins 73 mins), Stuart Ripley (sub Kieron Renton 78 mins), Scott Sellars, Mark Hughes, Mark Atkins, Simon Garner (sub Dean Saunders 60mins)

Final Score: ROVERS XI 6 - 4 CHAMPIONS XI (Simon Garner scored a penalty)

Mike Newell: “Simon was a great lad, a nice down-to-earth sort, and a strike partner who got goals. In fact, he still holds the record for goal scoring at Blackburn. If I remember correctly, I teamed up with Simon up front in my first game for Rovers when I signed up in November, 1991. David Speedie was suspended - just for a change! - so Simon and me were the front men."

Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, who had an ankle injury and missed the match: "I know how much he did for the club and how much the fans adore him even now, 10 years after leaving the club.”

Tim Flowers: “Simon is a legend, it's as simple as that. Whenever the fans reel off their favourite players, Garns is always up there with the Shearers and the Claytons of this world. He was a fantastic performer and I know the only reason he didn't score against me was because he never played against me!

Simon Garner: "It was a wonderful occasion and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the day.Although I didn't play for long, it was great to run out at Ewood again. And even better to score a penalty at the Blackburn End. I am forever grateful to all those who worked so hard to organise the event, to everyone who turned up to take part and especially to all the fans who have supported me, not just yesterday but throughout my career. Thank you all!".

Ininix BRFC salutes Simon Garner.