Honouring 150 Years of History: Blackburn Rovers’ Honour Caps
Few traditions capture the history of sport quite like an honour cap on a presentation day. For us, and many of the teams we work with, it’s more than fabric and tassel.
It’s a symbol of pride, belonging, and creates a place in club legacy.
Honour caps have traditionally been awarded to players and individuals in teams to recognise their achievements, whether within the season, or spanning across their entire career.
From winning moments, to significant contributions and victories within the club history, the honour cap is able to embroider all of that into one momento.
This season, as Blackburn Rovers Football Club celebrates its 150th anniversary, Gentlemen & Players are proud to see our handcrafted Honour Caps used to commemorate the people who have made the club what it is today.
Celebrating Blackburn Rovers Legacy Through Honour Caps
To mark 150 years of Blackburn Rovers, the club recognised its iconic figures who have shaped its history: from its players and coaches, to those who dedicated decades of service behind the scenes.
Because whilst the team are the ones who get the spotlight, a club wouldn’t be what it is without the support of the people in the background – and it’s important to celebrate them too.
Each recipient receives a bespoke Blackburn Rovers Honour Cap designed and produced by Gentlemen & Players, created to reflect both the heritage of the club and the personal achievements of those being celebrated.
A keepsake that lasts more than a trophy. One that tells a story. One you’re proud to hang up in the house. One that won’t get rusty with age.
These caps aren’t just products to be thrown in a trophy cabinet and forgotten about.
They’re an honour. Something that highlights the dedication and hard work put into the club, the sense of belonging that clubs brings, all within the stitching.
Every stitch, front-panel crest, and embroidered detail is customised to match the identity and history of the club, telling the story of each recipient’s life and their achievements.
And to ensure every part of the cap is customised to your liking, to tell the story that the recipients deserve, we offer:
- A choice of materials
- A choice of colours
- Front panel design choices
- Peak embroidery options
- Tassle customisation
A Tribute to Legends
The first cap was presented to Jack Walker, with his family as the recipient, honouring the beloved owner whose vision brought Premier League glory to Ewood Park.
Over the coming months, other Rovers legends including Ronnie Clayton, Bryan Douglas, Mike Newell, and Tony Mowbray will also receive their Honour Caps as part of the club’s season-long celebration.
- Tony Parkes, also known as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’, was both team coach and first team coach during his incredible career at the club, will also recieve a cap.
- David Dunn, enjoyed two spells at Blackburn Rovers, will also be recieving an honour cap
The 150th Anniversary seems an apt moment for these caps to be presented. A special occassion to honour the long, incredible spells of service and significant contributions of these key individuals.
For us at Gentlemen & Players, it’s a privilege to play a small part in honouring such special, long-serving members of Blackburn Rovers – to play a small part in their legacy. We’re incredibly proud to offer our bespoke caps to the football community, particularly at Blackburn Rovers, where we know they’ll be cherished for a lifetime.
Honour Caps: Tradition, Pride, and Connection
Whether for football, cricket, rugby, or any sport with a strong history, Honour Caps serve as lasting reminders of achievement and identity. Something that means more than a trophy to give back. Something that can last a lifetime. Something to be remembered.
Gentlemen & Players offer a range of customisation options and can turn each cap into a unique keepsake, tailored to your club’s needs.
Clubs can contact us to discuss their requirements, including the specific achievements, career length, best statistics and more, ensuring every detail is considered.
Our modern customisation options now allow for even more personalisation, making the impact on awareds ceremonies more meaningful. To reflect each organisation, we analyse the history, colours, and values, ensuring every player and staff member can wear their story with pride.
To find out how your organisation can create its own Honour Caps for players, club legends, or celebrations, get in touch with our team today.
Design and Production: The Making of the Honour Caps
The journey of creating an honour cap starts with understanding the history of the organisation. We create these timeless honour caps to mean something to the player.
With that in mind, each cap is thoughtfully designed to be a unique keepsake, capturing the essence of the club, team, or organisation it represents.
And so, attention to detail is at the heart of every honour cap. From the precise stitching of each panel to the addition of a classic tassel, every element is crafted to create a lasting symbol of achievement.
- The process starts with the front panel, where the club’s crest or badge is embroidered, instantly connecting the cap to its club.
- Colours are carefully selected to match the team’s identity, whether it’s the blue and white of Blackburn Rovers or the bold hues of Birmingham City.
- The use of high-quality materials and traditional techniques ensures that each cap looks good, but also built to last.
Flexibility is key in the production process.
While we recommend clubs to order a set of caps for their team, there is also the option to order a single cap. Perhaps, you want to mark a special occassion or honour an individual for a unqiue contribution.
And whilst, minimum order quantities are considered, the ability to create a single, bespoke cap means that even a short spell at a club, or a one-off achievement, can be recognised and made to feel special.
Personalisation goes beyond colours and crests.
Honour caps can be tailored for a variety of roles, from first team coaches and team managers to legendary players and dedicated admin staff.
For example, a commemorative cap for someone like Mike Newell, who played a pivotal role in Blackburn Rovers’ history, or Tony Mowbray, these caps are not just awards, but a celebration of the incredible people who have helped shape the story of their clubs.
We’ve found that the emotional resonance of receiving an honour cap far exceeds that of a trophy. It’s personal, includes unique achievements and looks beautiful hung up in your home.
For families like Graham, the son of Bryan Douglas, or Natalie, the daughter of Tony Parkes, the cap is more than a piece of memorabilia, it is the recognition of a lifetime of service to football.
Working With Gentlemen & Players for Your Sports Presentation
For clubs, schools, and organisations looking to honour their own players, and adding them to the history of the organisation, the process is simple and collaborative.
By reaching out to discuss designs and options, each organisation can ensure their honour caps are perfectly customised to their needs, whether for a single special individual, or an entire team.
From England Internationals to Blackburn Rovers, every cap is a celebration of the moments, matches, and milestones that make sport so special.
In the end, the making of an honour cap is about more than stitching fabric together. It’s about creating something that players can be proud to recieve, something which reflects the connection and belonging to the club.
Something to be cherished for years to come.
