A LIFELONG Blackburn Rovers fan has reached the landmark milestone of visiting the homes of all 92 current Football League sides.

Alan ‘Birdy’ Birkbeck completed the achievement by attending the 1-1 draw between Bristol Rovers and Tony Mowbray’s side on Saturday at the Memorial Stadium.

His wife Annette Birkbeck, 61, is hot on his heels in completing the achievement and will manage it when she attends Lincoln City Vs Wycombe Wanderers at Sincil Bank on Tuesday.

Mr Birkbeck has had a long wait to complete the milestone, after reaching 85 in 1988, but is delighted to reach the landmark.

In total 83 of the grounds he visited watching Rovers.

The 69-year-old said: “It’s a great feeling to mange it, but it was frustrating Rovers couldn't get the win.

“It’s been hard work.

“I’ve had some very understanding bosses to let me have time off work and make up the hours later.

“It’s been frustrating following Rovers at times, I’ve seen the good times and the bad.

“But It’s good to see Rovers doing well at the moment, they should go up.

“Hopefully we’re going to have some more good times right around the corner.”

Mr Birkbeck started going to Blackburn games in 1954 with his dad and soon after attended his first away game under the lights at Accrington Stanley.

Highlights watching Rovers include a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford on New Years Eve in 2011, with Grant Hanley scoring the winner on his wife's birthday.

The former wallpaper printer said grounds have changed a great deal since he began his journey more than 50 years ago, for better and for worse.

The father-of-two said: “Ewood Park is definitely my favourite.

“It was a lot different on terraces, the atmosphere has got worse but I suppose from the safety point of view it’s a lot better.

“There are some nice grounds about, if you look around there are some beautiful grounds knocking about, you look at the likes of Arsenal.

“Even in the lower leagues you see some great grounds, the likes of Forest Green.”