ROVERS fans come from far and wide.

But bar owner Antonis Kiriazis' 11-year love affair with Rovers means he has to make a round trip of more than 3,000 miles just to watch a "home" game.

The Greek businessman brought three friends from Athens to Ewood Park to see the recent match with Liverpool.

Antonis Kiriazis pitchside

Antonis, 28, started supporting the club during the 1996-97 season when one of his favourite Greek players, Georgios Donis, was in the squad.

"Since then he has been watching the team's progress intensively," said Panagiotis Panagiotidis, one of the pals who accompanied him on the four-day trip to Blackburn.

"He watches all the games that are televised and, in order to watch some of them, he even changes his work schedule!

"He keeps newspapers that mention big wins by the team and he has decorated a room with Blackburn items."

The four mates flew from Athens to London and then travelled by bus to stay in Sheffield before crossing the Pennines to watch the recent 0-0 draw against the Reds.

At the Jack Walker statue

Unfortunately it was a case of divided loyalties for Antonis when Rovers faced Greek side AE Larissa in the UEFA Cup in September.

He made the comparatively short journey to the first leg in Larissa, but despite national pride and the fact Donis was now managing the Greeks, he still ended up cheering for Rovers!