A NEW era begins today at Ewood Park with the appointment of Mark Hughes as Blackburn Rovers' new manager.

Graeme Souness left for a bigger club but it has to be said that his legacy is not as good as it could have been.

The stark fact is that at the moment Rovers do not look like a top ten side although they do have some good players.

We welcome back an old boy with an illustrious playing record including of course two good seasons at Rovers.

Although he has done a good job for Wales Mark Hughes is still something of an unknown quantity since he has never managed a league team never mind a Premiership club.

But he is ambitious to win and let's hope his appointment marks the start of a new era.

The borough needs a successful football club for everyone's sake.

As we saw when Rovers lifted the Premiership title such achievement puts a smile on the face of everyone and really lifts the morale of the whole town - football and non-football supporters alike.

We wish them every success this season and hope 'Sparky' will ignite a new passion.