ROVERS players and local lads Matt Derbyshire and David Dunn are to be immortalised in stone at Ewood Park as part of the club's "Walkerfame" initiative.

The pair have joined other supporters in buying inscribed personalised bricks that are being laid outside the Walkersteel Blackburn End stand.

The bricks allow fans the chance to get their message seen by thousands of people every match day and so far requests have ranged from the names of supporters to more in-depth quotes, philosophies and feelings about the team.

Derbyshire's personalised message reads "The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams" while Dunn went for "When you are going through hell, keep going."

Derbyshire was a late arrival into the professional ranks after playing non league football until his teens while Dunn has suffered mixed emotions in his career after sustaining several troublesome injuries.

Derbyshire said: "As a life long Rover it is a dream come true to be part of the first team, I have to pinch myself sometimes to remind me that it is real. I'm proud that I now have a permanent place at Ewood, the next step for me is to establish myself in the starting eleven each game!"

Dunn added: "I've had a mixture of high and lows during my career and I wanted my brick to reflect that. They say that home is where the heart is and I'm really enjoying being back at Ewood, if I wasn't playing football here I'd be in stands so this is a real honour."

It is not just fans that have been quick to cement their place at Ewood as family and friends of supporters have been snapping up the bricks as presents. Prices start from £39.99 and club officials say that any order placed by Wednesday (Nov 28th) will be laid at Ewood in time for Christmas Day.

Simon Williams, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Rovers said: "The response to the scheme has been excellent with fans keen to make sure their message is a permanent part of Ewood Park.

"We have fantastic supporters at Rovers and there was no bigger supporter of the club than Jack Walker so it's a fitting tribute that his memorial will be looking over messages from fellow fans."

More information on the Walkerfame paving bricks can be found here.