Gary Bowyer’s first five signings for Blackburn Rovers: Where are they now?

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Gary Bowyer became Blackburn Rovers manager in the summer of 2013.

Gary Bowyer twice had spells as caretaker manager at Blackburn Rovers before finally landing the job on a permanent basis in the summer of 2013, after taking charge of the final nine games of 2012-13.

His overall record stands at 118 games played, winning 41, drawing 43 and losing 34. His best placed finish was eighth in the Championship during his debut campaign.

Here we consider his first five signings in charge, and where they are now:

Chris Taylor:

Chris Taylor arrived at Ewood Park on a free transfer from Millwall. He was a versatile midfielder, and he ended up making 50 Championship appearances for Rovers over two seasons.

The 32-year-old, however, soon fell out of favour and went on to join Bolton Wanderers in 2016. He is now without a club, having last played for Blackpool.

Alan Judge:

Alan Judge joined Blackburn on a free transfer from Notts County. The creative midfielder had bags of ability and on paper was Bowyer’s best signing by far. However, he barely played at Ewood Park.

He made just a handful of appearances before joining newly promoted Brentford a year later. Judge went on to become one of the Championship’s best players, scoring or making over 30 goals between 2014-16.

Injuries have since hit the Irishman hard. Now, the 30-year-old plays for Ipswich Town in League One where the Tractor Boys will be hoping Judge can help fire them back to the Championship.

Simon Eastwood:

Simon Eastwood joined Rovers on a free transfer from Portsmouth after his contract expired at Pompey. Gary Bowyer brought him in as competition for goalkeepers Paul Robinson and Jake Kean.

Eastwood lasted three seasons at Ewood Park as an understudy, before going on to join Oxford United where he is now a first-team regular for the League One club.

DJ Campbell:

DJ Campbell arrived from fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers. Campbell had Premier League experience with Blackpool, and he spent time on loan at Blackburn in the 2012-13 campaign.

The now 37-year-old struggled to make an impact, and he ended up dropping down the leagues to sign for Maidenhead United in the conference a year later. He is now retired.

Matthew Kilgallon:

Matthew Kilgallon was arguably Blackburn’s major recruit that summer, arriving from Sunderland. The central defender had top-flight experience, and at 29 was still at the top of his game.

The former Sheffield United man, however, failed to help Blackburn finish in the top six in his debut campaign at Ewood Park and from then on he only made another 32 appearances in two years.

Kilgallon, now 35, went on to join Bradford City and later Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership last summer. He is now a free agent after just one year at the club.