The 2020–21 season was Blackburn Rovers' 133nd season as a professional football club and it participated in the Championship for a third consecutive season. Along with competing in the Championship, the club also participated in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. The season covered the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Summer activity
June
On the 24 Rovers announced their retained list Danny Graham, Stewart Downing, Dominic Samuel, Jayson Leutwiler, Richie Smallwood & Sam Hart discussions will be held regarding their future at the club.
From the development squad Rovers took the option to extend Matthew Platt contract by 12 months until 2021, whilst Brad Lyons & Ben Paton have both been offered new contracts, Jordan Eastham has signed a contract till 2022 while Sam Burns, Dan Pike, Jalil Saadi, Sam Durrant & James Connelly have signed contracts until 2021. Luke Brennan & Flavien Enzo Boyomo have been offered professional contracts but have yet to sign. Chanka Zimba, Jack Evans & Charley Doyle will not be retained by the club.
July
On the 1 Rovers announced the signing of young attacking midfielder Tyrhys Dolan from Preston North End on a 2-year deal following his release. Rovers also announced young winger Luke Brennan has signed his 1st professional deal, a 2-year contract until 2022, Also midfield duo Brad Lyons & Ben Paton signed 1 year deals until 2021.
On the 7 Forest Green Rovers announced the signing of Jack Evans following his release from Rovers.
On the 24 Rovers announced Danny Graham, Dominic Samuel, Jayson Leutwiler, Richie Smallwood & Sam Hart will not be offered new contracts by the club, Discussions continue to be held with Stewart Downing about extending his stay with Rovers.
On the 28 Rovers announced u23 midfielder Tom White had joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
On the 29 Rovers announced u23 defender Matthew Platt had joined Barrow on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.
August
On the 11 Hull City announced the signing of Richie Smallwood following his release from Rovers.
On the 12 Atlético Albacete announced the signing of Flavien Enzo Boyomo after he rejected a new contract from Rovers.
On the 16 Rovers confirmed their agreement with official principal sponsor 10bet had ended 2 years into a 3-year deal.
On the 17 Rovers announced an extension to their partnership with Totally Wicked.
On the 26 Rovers announced the signing of Belgium goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski from Gent for an undisclosed fee, on a 2-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
On the 28 Rovers announced Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors will remain our back-of-shirt sponsor for a third successive season.
On the 29 Rovers announced a new multi year shirt sponsor with leading performance and recovery compression wear brand Recoverite Compression, The new deal will see the Recoverite Compression brand on the front of all first team, Under-23s, youth and replica kits.
September
On the 2 Rovers announced the signing of young striker Connor McBride from Celtic on a free transfer, he signed a 2-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. Also Stalybridge Celtic announced the signing of Charley Doyle following his release from Rovers.
On the 4 Cardiff City announced the signing of Chanka Zimba following his release from Rovers.
On the 7 Sunderland announced the signing of Danny Graham following his release from Rovers.
On the 11 Fleetwood Town announced the signing of Jayson Leutwiler following his release from Rovers.
On the 15 Rovers announced the signing of defender Daniel Ayala following his release from Middlesbrough on a 3-year deal until 2023.
On the 21 Gillingham announced the signing of Dominic Samuel following his release from Rovers.
On the 28 Rovers announced the signing of young goalkeeper Felix Goddard following his release from Manchester City on a 2-year scholarship.
October
On the 6 Rovers announced u23 midfielder Stefan Mols had joined Intercity on loan until the end of the season. Also Rovers announced the signing of Greek u21 goalkeeper Antonis Stergiakis from Slavia Sofia on a 3-year deal until 2023 with the option of a further 12 months.
On the 16 Rovers announced the signing of defender Barry Douglas on loan from Leeds United until the end of the season, Rovers also announced the signing of midfielder Tom Trybull on loan from Norwich City until the end of the season, Rovers also announced defender Charlie Mulgrew had joined Fleetwood Town on loan until the end of the season, Rovers also announced the signing of goalkeeper Aynsley Pears from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee on a 4-year deal until 2024, Rovers also announced goalkeeper Andy Fisher had joined Milton Keynes Dons on a permanent deal, Rovers also announced the signing of Harvey Elliott on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season.
November
On the 2 Rovers announced midfielder Stewart Downing had rejoined the club.
On the 9 Rovers announced defender Tyler Magloire had joined Hartlepool United on loan until 9 January.
On the 11 Southend United announced the signing of Sam Hart following his release from Rovers.
On the 13 Rovers announced winger Luke Brennan had joined AFC Fylde on loan until the end of the season.
Winter activity
December
On the 23 Rovers announced attacking midfielder Bradley Dack had signed new 2 and half year deal until 2023, with the option of a further 12 months.
On the 31 Rovers announced winger Harry Chapman had joined Shrewsbury Town on loan until the end of the season.
January
On the 6 Rovers announced midfielder Brad Lyons had joined Morecambe on loan until the end of the season, Also defender Hayden Carter joined Burton Albion on loan until the end of the season.
On the 12 Rovers announced goalkeeper Joe Hilton had joined Fleetwood Town on an emergency 7 day loan.
On the 13 Rovers announced midfielder Luke Brennan had been recalled from his loan at AFC Fylde.
On the 14 Rovers announced the signing of defender Jarrad Branthwaite on loan from Everton until the end of the season.
On the 15 Rovers announced young midfielder Joe Nolan had signed a professional contract until 2022 following a successful trial.
On the 22 Rovers announced midfielder Stefan Mols had returned from his loan spell at Intercity.
On the 27 Rovers announced goalkeeper Joe Hilton had signed a new contract until 2022 & joined Ross County until the end of the season.
February
On the 1 Rovers announced the signing of defender Harry Pickering from Crewe Alexandra for an undisclosed fee, on a 4 and half year deal until 2025, he will remain on loan until the end of the season, Rovers also announced defender Joe Grayson had joined Oxford United on loan until the end of the season, Rovers also announced defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis had joined on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season, Rovers also announced forward Jack Vale had joined Rochdale on loan until the end of the season.
On the 2 Rovers announced midfielder Tom White had returned from his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, Rovers also announced defender Tyler Magloire had joined Motherwell on loan until the end of the season.
On the 5 Rovers announced midfielder Tom White had joined Hartlepool United on a short-term loan deal.
On the 15 Rovers announced midfielder John Buckley signed a new long-term deal until 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.
On the 16 Rovers announced midfielder Tyrhys Dolan signed a new long-term deal until 2024, with the option of a further 12 months.
March
On the 4 Rovers announced defender Derrick Williams had left the club by mutual consent to join LA Galaxy.
April
May
On the 7 Rovers announced their end of season award winners Thomas Kaminski was voted Player of the Season, Harvey Elliott's goal against Millwall was voted Goal of the Season, Adam Armstrong was voted Player's Player of the Year & Junior Rovers Player of the Year & Tyrhys Dolan was named this season's PFA Club Community Champion.
Squad information Squad no. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Contract expires Other Goalkeepers 45Jordan EasthamGK 2022 1Thomas KaminskiGK 2022 Option for 12-month extension. 13Aynsley PearsGK 2024 41Antonis StergiakisGK 2023 Option for 12-month extension. Defenders 5Daniel AyalaDF 2023 17Amari'i BellDF 2021 30Jarrad BranthwaiteDF 2021 on loan from Everton 25Hayden CarterDF 2022 on loan at Morecambe 15Barry DouglasDF 2021 on loan from Leeds United 36Joe GraysonDF 2021 on loan at Oxford United 22Taylor Harwood-BellisDF 2021 on loan from Manchester City 26Darragh LenihanDF 2022 38Tyler MagloireDF 2022 on loan at Motherwell 14Charlie MulgrewDF 2021 on loan at Fleetwood Town 2Ryan NyambeDF 2021 Option for 12-month extension. Harry PickeringDF 2025 on loan at Crewe Alexandra 40Daniel PikeDF 2023 Option for 12-month extension. 28Scott WhartonDF 2024 Option for 12-month extension. Midfielders 31Elliott BennettMF 2021 21John BuckleyMF 2024 Option for 12-month extension. 37 Luke BrennanMF 2022 11Harry ChapmanMF 2021 Option for 12-month extension, on loan at Shrewsbury Town 23Bradley DackMF 2023 Option for 12-month extension. 18Jacob DavenportMF 2022 39Tyrhys DolanMF 2024 Option for 12-month extension. 6Stewart DowningMF 2021 16Harvey ElliottMF 2021 on loan from Liverpool 29Corry EvansMF 2021 10Lewis HoltbyMF 2021 4Bradley JohnsonMF 2021 34Brad LyonsMF 2021 on loan at Burton Albion 43Connor McBrideMF 2022 Option for 12-month extension. 24Joe Rankin-CostelloMF 2021Option for 12-month extension. 8Joe RothwellMF 2021 Option for 12-month extension. 27Lewis TravisMF 2023 Option for 12 months extension 19Tom TrybullMF 2021 on loan from Norwich City Forwards 7Adam ArmstrongFW 2022 20Ben Brereton DíazFW 2022 32Daniel ButterworthFW 2022 9 Sam GallagherFW 2023
Pre-season On 14 August Rovers confirmed their pre-season scheduled.
Competitions Championship
League table
Results summary
Results by matchday
Matchday The 2020–21 season fixtures were released on 21 August.
FA Cup
The third round draw was made on 30 November, with Premier League and EFL Championship clubs all entering the competition.
EFL Cup
The first round draw was made on 18 August, live on Sky Sports, by Paul Merson. The draw for both the second and third round were confirmed on 6 September, live on Sky Sports by Phil Babb.
Backroom staff
Squad statistics Appearances and goals
|colspan="14"|Players out on loan:
|colspan="14"|Players that played for Blackburn Rovers this season that have left the club:
Goalscorers
RankNo.Pos.NameLeagueFA CupEFL CupTotal17FW Adam Armstrong28012929FW Sam Gallagher8008316MF Harvey Elliott7007=20FW Ben Brereton Díaz700754MF Bradley Johnson3003=8MF Joe Rothwell3003=39MF Tyrhys Dolan3003=23MF Bradley Dack300393DF Derrick Williams1001=10MF Lewis Holtby0011=18MF Jacob Davenport1001=21MF John Buckley1001=24MF Joe Rankin-Costello0011——— Own goal0000Total650368
Transfers
Summer
Transfers in Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. Other. 1 July 2020 CAM Tyrhys Dolan Unattached Free Signed for Blackburn Rovers U23's 26 August 2020 GK Thomas Kaminski Gent Undisclosed 2 September 2020 CF Connor McBride Celtic Free Signed for Blackburn Rovers U23's 15 September 2020 CB Daniel Ayala Unattached Free 28 September 2020 GK Felix Goddard Unattached Free Signed for Blackburn Rovers U18's 6 October 2020 GK Antonis Stergiakis Slavia Sofia Undisclosed Signed for Blackburn Rovers U23's 16 October 2020 GK Aynsley Pears Middlesbrough Undisclosed
Total outgoing: +/- ~£
Transfers out