John Williams leaves Blackburn Rovers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Your ticket price policy made it affordable for me to take my son to Ewood Park and get him interested in the game. Goodbye John and good luck.

Sad day in BRFC history. Season ticket prices will double next season.
The end is nigh!

Just as it look like the Indian owners had learned how to keep their mouths shut and maintain a discrete presence, they have committed a heinous act by the sacking oh John William. How much more disruption are these idiots going to create? Why not double season ticket prices? why not think about renaming the club/ground? I'm staggered that a takeover group would take such risks with their investment.... I'm disgusted, almost as disgusted as I was with those so called fans who booed Andrews every touch the other night. GET OUT OF MY CLUB!

Sad, sad day for BRFC. But before the "we are all doomed" - "Relegation is a certainty" and club in crisis fuelled by the gutter press starts...have a good think about the direction the club is wanting to take, compared to recent years. It was only a matter of time before this happened.

That being said, huge huge respect for the work done with dignity, honour and a real understanding of the fans needs balanced against the clubs restraints.

What's this, "exclusive report" stuff? I read it in the Daily Telegraph first.

Bye bye John,but the games moved on.

wing commander bomber harris wrote:
Your ticket price policy made it affordable for me to take my son to Ewood Park and get him interested in the game. Goodbye John and good luck.

We, too, could not afford any significant rise in season ticket prices and so our family might not be there in future. I truly hope this does not happen.

The photograph in the LT yesterday told the story:

Jerome Anderson showing Mrs Venky around Ewood park.

John Williams would normally have been the person doing that.

Can the LT not get hold of Anderson? He seems to be the shyster who everything is revolving around.

"Venky's weren't available for comment" is becoming an increasingly common news-line from the LT, and you need to build some sort of relationship up with the new owners.

Good luck in the future. You will be sadly missed at the Rovers. End of an era. But! Let's move forward. Life goes on, nobody is irreplaceable. If season ticket and match day tickets go up next season then so be it. The Venky's will find out the hard way that killing the golden goose....etc does not pay. The supporters of the Rovers are not the prawn sandwich brigade of ManU but pie and peas, tripe and black puddings. Of prices rise too much then it will be the end for our beloved Rovers', but it can be avoided by following the path laid by John Williams a model of prudence and sensibility. Long may the legacy left by both him and "Sir" Jack live on.

No more pies at half time just Chicken in a Basket llf

Firstly - catmik you are an idiot, John W resigned/retired, he wasn't fired, read the article chump!

Secondly, John Williams has been an absolute hero for our club over the last decade, it is a real shame that he is leaving however it was inevitable that would happen sooner or later with the new regime. I imagine he had little or no say with what has happened over the January transfer window and that probably made his mind up to move on.

Good luck John and thanks for everything.

We say a big thanks for John Williams for helping keep the club in premiership and not massively indebt. However, change of ownership always causes change in boardroom, just part and parcel of football their is loyality in football, be it players, managers, owners. But as Mr Williams as said many times we needed the takeover, we couldnt keep going the way we was. Under the old regime we where struggling to keep going and relegation was going be only matter time as last summer prove that we could not afford to buy any players. We are now able to buy players, keep our existing players which before we had to sell our best assists. Mr Williams has given us the stepping stone for success that we hope Venkys can bring so lets look foward to the future. The Future is Bright the Future is blue and white

s2rover, resigning/retiring is a polite way of saying he was fired!

Well who do you think the replacement will be? Wouldn't be surprised if its announced today.

Thankyou John Williams, for giving me some of the best memories in my life as a Rovers supporter. I wish you all the best for the future and hope you find further success in your life whatever path you decide to follow. Good luck and best wishes.

Jerome Anderson is now in control of Blackburn Rovers is it good or bad first signs are bad but lets hope not.He can't lose but Venkys and the fans can,the thing is the fans don't deserve it Venkys do.
All the best John thanks for a job well done.

All the best for the future John- the best chairman in the league.
He's been treated with no respect at all by this mob that has taken us over & made us into a media laughing stock.
It's always dangerous when such a bastion of stability is lost.
Think JW won't be unemployed for too long.

John was responsible for the youth policy originally. it was this that attracted Venkys. no wonder managers are reluctant to adopt it , only for someone else to get the benefit when they move on, or are moved on. Sam had set up the club so that we were getting young players through , and had hired the staff to do that. we shall see what happens next.
John was too proud to just sit back and take the money , but sooner or later Venkys were going to push him out.
Not enough chiefs , but too many ...?

As a Burnley fan I have to admit I kind of feel sorry for what is happening at BRFC. How can any respectfully run Premier league club allow such an amature consortium with obviously limited football knowledge take over a Premier League club and make such a balls up of it!!
It is I fear the demise of BRFC and from a Burnley fans point of view it is quite unbelievable to watch your beloved club internally combust. What an absolute joke.....these idiots couldn't run a bath! I fear for you next season. It is obvious the Venkys do not have any respect for what Mr Williams has done for your club and that stability and backbone has been ripped away leaving these amatures to do what they please.
Not good chaps.....Not good.....But fu**ing HILARIOUS!!!
UTC NNN

Thanks to John Williams the club were in a sufficiently strong position to be taken over by Venky's at a time when the Walkers only interest was to sell them.
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I don't know Mr Williams but he has my sincerest thanks for looking after my club during increasingly difficult times, he also has my deepest respect for the way he has conducted himself since the takeover, the mark of a true gentleman.
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I see there are already several inane "told you so" comments already on this article, more idiots ready to fuel the media hatred of our club.
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Venky's are delivering on their promises so far, we have a young keen (no pun intended) manager who has changed our style of play and put smiles on the faces of the real fans, they have brought in new players with the promise of more to come, and lifted the hopes of the majority of Rovers fans who decried the sterile hoofball of the Allardyce era.
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What more do you want?
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Like it or not Premier League football is big business and all that has happened here is business, Mr Williams irrespective of his personal thoughts has treated the new owners, the club and it's fans with respect.
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And that's what really matters.
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It's about time the doom merchants did the same and started to look to the future, the past is gone, thankfully it isn't coming back.

Vinjay wrote:
Well who do you think the replacement will be? Wouldn't be surprised if its announced today.

Wouldn't be surprised if it isn't!

woah woah woah !
Lets all just take stock here.

Firstly, Mr Williams has been a rock at rovers and deserves much credit for what we have become today. And we thank him and wish him well in his future.

Thank you John.

However, with success comes change.
It was inevitable that this would happen and we all knew it. It is also inevitable that there will be more change.

What we must decide in our heads is this. Do we want success or do we want a club on its way down due to lack of investment?

I appreciate stability is key, but there is no business in the work that does not induce risk in its aim for success.

This new guy that's come in , Anderson is it?, well i'm sure he knows what he's doing and he Venky's aren't idiots.'

Some of the fans are understandably upset, but they are the same fans who next season may be thanking venkys for the changes they have put in place.

Please lets not start the bad press ourselves, there will undoubtedly be enough of that from the tabloids. What we must do is unite and believe . We have needed what's happened for a long time......in Venky's we trust.

Thanks again John, i hope you live to see Rovers success so that you will know your time here and you're moving on are not in vane.

Well maybe in the next couple of days at the very least.

Presumably it will be someone considerably younger than williams since I assume that is part of the thinking behind the decision.

“STEVE Kean has paid tribute to John Williams after the Rovers chairman ended his almost 14 year reign at Blackburn Rovers.”
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Oh. That’s jolly nice.
Just a very nice diplomatic and professional business way of saying: On your bike, we no longer want you here, here’s a couple of quid to see you through. Goodbye and don‘t come back we‘ve got some new money now. Wankey’s rule!

ColneSuperClaret wrote:
As a Burnley fan I have to admit I kind of feel sorry for what is happening at BRFC. How can any respectfully run Premier league club allow such an amature consortium with obviously limited football knowledge take over a Premier League club and make such a balls up of it!!
It is I fear the demise of BRFC and from a Burnley fans point of view it is quite unbelievable to watch your beloved club internally combust. What an absolute joke.....these idiots couldn't run a bath! I fear for you next season. It is obvious the Venkys do not have any respect for what Mr Williams has done for your club and that stability and backbone has been ripped away leaving these amatures to do what they please.
Not good chaps.....Not good.....But fu**ing HILARIOUS!!!
UTC NNN

if your club can be run by a bunch of amateurs im sure ours can be run by billionaire ones:)



IMAGINE BEING A 30 YEAR OLD CLARET FAN AND ---NEVER--- SEEING YOUR CLUB BEAT ITS BIGGEST RIVALS............HA
RSH

Always blue and white, always Rovers.

JW thank you so so much for everything you have done for BRFC, without a doubt you have been the best signing we have ever had.
I doubt you will be looking for work too long, your reputation goes before you.
As with SK things maybe ok in the short term, but I see troubles ahead.

catmik wrote:
Just as it look like the Indian owners had learned how to keep their mouths shut and maintain a discrete presence, they have committed a heinous act by the sacking oh John William. How much more disruption are these idiots going to create? Why not double season ticket prices? why not think about renaming the club/ground? I'm staggered that a takeover group would take such risks with their investment.... I'm disgusted, almost as disgusted as I was with those so called fans who booed Andrews every touch the other night. GET OUT OF MY CLUB!

Some of the things you're saying are a bit hysterical, get a grip.It isn't your club, How many shares
do you hold? The club belongs to Venky's now so you had better get used to the idea and move on. Only time will tell if it is good or bad for BRFC but the signs so far are positive. JW was a very good chairman but this is a new era and the new owners obviously want to do it their way with their own people running the show.

Oh how times change. Next thing you know the statute of Big Jack will be torn down only to replaced by a statue of an elephant headed demi God.

massive Thank You to Mr Williams for making Blackburn Rovers one of the most respected and certainly best run clubs in Europe. The term "legend" get thrown around far too much nowadays, people really don't know what it means. Here is your example of what a legend really is. Williams revolutionised the ticketing policy at Rovers, ensured Blackburn stayed in the "green" through difficult times, and his magnificent work is the reason why Blackburn have been in the Premiership for 10 years now. Rovers and us supporters owe this man everything!!!!

pinkfairyone wrote:
No more pies at half time just Chicken in a Basket llf

Did you think of that one when you was sat on your wooden seat in the cricketfield stand watching the Dingles get beat off Scunthorpe?

ColneSuperClaret wrote:
As a Burnley fan I have to admit I kind of feel sorry for what is happening at BRFC. How can any respectfully run Premier league club allow such an amature consortium with obviously limited football knowledge take over a Premier League club and make such a balls up of it!! It is I fear the demise of BRFC and from a Burnley fans point of view it is quite unbelievable to watch your beloved club internally combust. What an absolute joke.....these idiots couldn't run a bath! I fear for you next season. It is obvious the Venkys do not have any respect for what Mr Williams has done for your club and that stability and backbone has been ripped away leaving these amatures to do what they please. Not good chaps.....Not good.....But fu**ing HILARIOUS!!! UTC NNN

I think you should be worrying about your own shower of sh1te and not whats happening at ewood.
You worry for us next season? haha dont make me laugh you tool, we will be in the top 6 no problem whilst you lot are floundering at the foot of the chumpionship. Prat.

well i new John, a brilliant bloke, a credit to footballing matters and the core of blackburn rovers, he and the venkys came to the decision it was best john went, there was alot that went on with the sacking of sam, that never went a way, but the visions of the club and the way rovers were going the 2 of them, had 2 different visions...the venkys basically didnt want him, cos of this, john hasnt retired, hes taking a break and will be back, he loves football and will be back in top club,

the clubs stability has now been removed, so the venkys will have mrs desai as chairwomen, and the club is doomed, i wish you well john, enjoy the break, and be great to see you back, making a new club the best it can be!!!

venkys will now make new decision on the club, the stadium name will defo change now, there thinking it will become boll-ewood, which is disrespectful. the season tickets will go up, but not alot, until and if these idiots spend money, alot of fans have left since sam, but now john has gone alot lot lot more will go, crowds will be record lows!!! -- venkys continue to wreck the club, may 2011 will be interesting when the contracts venkys signed to buy us, the clauses about not changing newt till may will finish, bad times ahead!!!

Guys, quit the conspiracies. JWilliams did a SUPERB job, but face it, he's not getting any younger - and this is normal business practice -- when new owners take over a business the old guard are gradually let go.
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It's the way the world is. JW knew it was coming, he was great to stay in as long as he could in this transitional period.
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Keep the faith, we're in a far better positions then most clubs in Britain.
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(Deep breath)
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IN VENKYS WE TRUST

So that’s why the Venkys turned up mob handed the other night, ganging up on poor(not) old (ish) John- bet the brothers held him down while their niece held his nose for Mr Desai to gave him a sloppy goodbye kiss….lets be honest John did a good job for BRFC and got rewarded handsomely for it..thank you JW….The problem for Venkys is/was John’s close relationship with Allardyce and his feeling concerning the big mans sacking, hence a massive problem for both sides ..Venkys/Williams working relationship was a non starter-reason why Keano’s been globetrotting ….one had to go and we know who it had to be!!
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Tom Fynn -anyone know if he’s still in place…this guy doesn’t get the same recognition that JW received but, does the same excellent job.

lol some of the comments on here make you laugh, a new era, the future is bright, haha what a joke! - there billionaires, who can actually prove they have money to actually spend. no one. who can prove there visions of the club are good, no one there visions are stupid top 4, never,
lets say they spend 150mil on players, it doesnt pay off, the clubs income is poor, low tickets doesnt cover general running costs, how long you think it will take for the club to be in debt, you really think venkys keep dipping in there pockets if they even bother, they will extend rovers overdraft and use every penny before they spend there own, the venkys are no good!!! even john nos this, hes glad in away hes gone, he wont get the backlash of relegation next season,

the future is bright, noone wants to come here, unless there crap, or unwanted, we signed 2 young players there both useless, played in 2nd rate sides, and not impressed, they think they will do it here, dont make me laugh, the jones guy we have loaned rubbish, 70k a week to pay santa crock cruz, haha just a waste

John Williams WAS a fantastic Chairman. He guided the club through some extremely testing times while remaining successful by competing with the elite of English, and on occasion, European football. He has been fantastic for a club who have had limited resources and we have survived.
Now we have a totally different scenario with new owners and hopefully a little bit of money to invest, so it could be that Venkys are looking for a more dynamic and expansive approach given their supposed ambition for THEIR club.
Before I get slagged off ask yourselves this question:
What was Mr Williams' record last time we had resources?
Answer: Relegated........
Anyway. Mr Williams, you have my eternal respect and gratitude. Thank-you and I hope you are as successful in whatever you do in the future as you have been for the last decade.

Once again these comments pages prove that most people are thick as ****, and should be castrated to prevent spreading their 'dumb gene' to future generations.

therock2008 wrote:
lol some of the comments on here make you laugh, a new era, the future is bright, haha what a joke! - there billionaires, who can actually prove they have money to actually spend. no one. who can prove there visions of the club are good, no one there visions are stupid top 4, never, lets say they spend 150mil on players, it doesnt pay off, the clubs income is poor, low tickets doesnt cover general running costs, how long you think it will take for the club to be in debt, you really think venkys keep dipping in there pockets if they even bother, they will extend rovers overdraft and use every penny before they spend there own, the venkys are no good!!! even john nos this, hes glad in away hes gone, he wont get the backlash of relegation next season, the future is bright, noone wants to come here, unless there crap, or unwanted, we signed 2 young players there both useless, played in 2nd rate sides, and not impressed, they think they will do it here, dont make me laugh, the jones guy we have loaned rubbish, 70k a week to pay santa crock cruz, haha just a waste

whatever your drinking I don't want one :-))

To be honest many expected williams to depart as soon as the takeover was completed. As much as i respect the man and the work he has done here he was appointed 13 years ago by the old regime. Venky's have a right to change things if they want to do and bring in their own people. I don't know why people have a problem with jerome anderson. He is an immensely successful and influential man in modern day football. With his contacts and know how it could only be good for blackburn rovers. Beyond anderson I would love to see tom finn as the new chairman.

Burnley supporters - when your tin pot club is an example to all of how to be a well run, stable football club then you can come on here and gloat. As it happens the ongoings at turf moor are some of the most shocking ever seen in football. Just imagine being bled dry by local businessmen who claim to be supporters. Venky's might make mistakes, but in time they will learn the errors of their ways. But i'm fairly sure they will never do what kilby and flood have done to burnley fc.

This is absolutely dreadful news ! The phrase 'headless chickens' comes to mind.

therock2008 wrote:
lol some of the comments on here make you laugh, a new era, the future is bright, haha what a joke! - there billionaires, who can actually prove they have money to actually spend. no one. who can prove there visions of the club are good, no one there visions are stupid top 4, never, lets say they spend 150mil on players, it doesnt pay off, the clubs income is poor, low tickets doesnt cover general running costs, how long you think it will take for the club to be in debt, you really think venkys keep dipping in there pockets if they even bother, they will extend rovers overdraft and use every penny before they spend there own, the venkys are no good!!! even john nos this, hes glad in away hes gone, he wont get the backlash of relegation next season, the future is bright, noone wants to come here, unless there crap, or unwanted, we signed 2 young players there both useless, played in 2nd rate sides, and not impressed, they think they will do it here, dont make me laugh, the jones guy we have loaned rubbish, 70k a week to pay santa crock cruz, haha just a waste

Supposition. Let's see how it pans out. Totally unreasonable comments by someone who appears to be determined to spread his negative propaganda to anybody stupid enough to listen.

Iii1111 wrote:

therock2008 wrote: lol some of the comments on here make you laugh, a new era, the future is bright, haha what a joke! - there billionaires, who can actually prove they have money to actually spend. no one. who can prove there visions of the club are good, no one there visions are stupid top 4, never, lets say they spend 150mil on players, it doesnt pay off, the clubs income is poor, low tickets doesnt cover general running costs, how long you think it will take for the club to be in debt, you really think venkys keep dipping in there pockets if they even bother, they will extend rovers overdraft and use every penny before they spend there own, the venkys are no good!!! even john nos this, hes glad in away hes gone, he wont get the backlash of relegation next season, the future is bright, noone wants to come here, unless there crap, or unwanted, we signed 2 young players there both useless, played in 2nd rate sides, and not impressed, they think they will do it here, dont make me laugh, the jones guy we have loaned rubbish, 70k a week to pay santa crock cruz, haha just a waste

whatever your drinking I don't want one :-))

Lol.
Was just thinking the same!
Is this johns wife?

thank you mr williams for all you have done for our club.....i hope that someday in the future you may be rembered in or around the ground in some capacity....in wish you well for your future.........

jack01 wrote:
To be honest many expected williams to depart as soon as the takeover was completed. As much as i respect the man and the work he has done here he was appointed 13 years ago by the old regime. Venky's have a right to change things if they want to do and bring in their own people. I don't know why people have a problem with jerome anderson. He is an immensely successful and influential man in modern day football. With his contacts and know how it could only be good for blackburn rovers. Beyond anderson I would love to see tom finn as the new chairman. Burnley supporters - when your tin pot club is an example to all of how to be a well run, stable football club then you can come on here and gloat. As it happens the ongoings at turf moor are some of the most shocking ever seen in football. Just imagine being bled dry by local businessmen who claim to be supporters. Venky's might make mistakes, but in time they will learn the errors of their ways. But i'm fairly sure they will never do what kilby and flood have done to burnley fc.

Jackie i feell like your school teacher constantly having to check your work with my red pen. "When will you learn" must be a familiar phrase in your life!
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Jerome Anderson - is this the same agent that was involved in the Obi Mikal transfer debacle, the same that took £7 million off City when he introduced that all round loveable chap Shinawatra, the same one that represents Kean and Jensen (might be a bit of a conflict if he ever needs to sack them). You happy that a football agent is running your club?
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If you actually did a bit of research you might find that Burnley is an example of a well run and stable club. Not sure how its being "bled dry"? did you do your homework when I posted the link to the accounts and the analysis? I don't think you did.
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However I agree with your last sentence. Venkys will never do what Kilby and Flood have done, i don't think they will ever put their personal money at risk, they will never think about the long term future well being asapose to their personal interest. Venkys will make mistakes and it will be the fans that pay.
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John Williams will be missed and you will only realise how much in the coming years. Good luck to him, if he wants another challenge then he is welcome at TM!

John Williams has been a fantastic servant to our club. Whatever "compensation package" the club have put together for him is richly deserved. It is sad that he has to leave, given all the great work he has done for Rovers through some difficult times.
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However, it is inevitable that new owners would want to bring in their own people. I also imagine that Williams' reported discomfort at the sacking of Allardyce perhaps played a part in the decision.
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Whatever the reason, this deision should not be used as yet another stick with which to try and beat the new owners.

Many thanks’ to JW not sure if he was pushed or jumped, could be he bailed out as I don’t think a man with his integrity could work with Venky’s
I still do not trust them

Jack Walker must be spinning in his grave. This guy had a lot of respect.

Keep up the good work you slum dog millionaires!

Burnley FC - over 125 years and STILL British owned!!!!!

NO NAY NEVER

burnleyglentoran wrote:
Jack Walker must be spinning in his grave. This guy had a lot of respect. Keep up the good work you slum dog millionaires! Burnley FC - over 125 years and STILL British owned!!!!! NO NAY NEVER

..and still behind the times..The Motorway is now built (worst luck) and the world awaits for the first Dingle to venture to the outside world…the isolated indigenous tribe in Peru is now thought to be the only one left after the building of the M65...

Thanks John for everything you have always run the club with dignity respect and a measured proffessional approach. BRFC would not be in the Prem and a sound business model that it is were it not for you JW.
Good luck and best wishes for the future John.

Hej All,

I have not been posting since our club fired Big Sam. I'm still much against this buy out and the way these Indians are acting. They have just fired the last gentleman left in the club and in the FA. From here I just foresee more guessing work rather than anything else.
Good-by John Williams you deserve a better farewell than just a pay check and a push out of the club.
This is what we have been coverted into..... a new Venky factory.....

This is a major blow : JW has been one of the best Chairmen Rovers have had in the modern era. He has led the way with big reductions in ticket prices, merchandise prices reduced and open communication with supporters. During all that time I can never recall him lying or deceiving supporters even though what he has said has caused concern at times eg on lack of funds for new players.
What a spectaculart contrast with the lying, roll fans for every penny ethos of Kilby and Flood at Burnley.
Good luck for the future JW : you were great.

ColneSuperClaret wrote:
As a Burnley fan I have to admit I kind of feel sorry for what is happening at BRFC. How can any respectfully run Premier league club allow such an amature consortium with obviously limited football knowledge take over a Premier League club and make such a balls up of it!!
It is I fear the demise of BRFC and from a Burnley fans point of view it is quite unbelievable to watch your beloved club internally combust. What an absolute joke.....these idiots couldn't run a bath! I fear for you next season. It is obvious the Venkys do not have any respect for what Mr Williams has done for your club and that stability and backbone has been ripped away leaving these amatures to do what they please.
Not good chaps.....Not good.....But fu**ing HILARIOUS!!!
UTC NNN

Your having a laugh. These people are worth billions of pounds. In order to build something new the old has to be removed.
You wont be thinking its hilarious when BRFC open the gap between us and you even further.
You should be more worried about your own club who, lets face it are, after clowning around in the prem for a season, relegation fodder.
By all means come and take the pis5 and have some banter, but dont pretend to be an expert on BRFC and the new owners.

Unbelievable! How the hell have these wankers managed to build up a business empire?
Is it true, were people cheering them on Wednesday?
This is as bad as when Kenny or Shearer left.
Venky's GO home-Williams COME home!

Very sad news. I feel like I've lost a loved one. You did a great job, John, and I'm sure you would have continued to do so if you possibly could have done. Your ways were apparently not aligned with the new ways. I'm sure you've discussed things at length but Venkys are in charge now and confident that their way is the right way, so goodbye JW.
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It's very sad that the old and the new could not get along. But the old is always much slower to change than the new, and more inflexible, so if Williams could no longer enjoy the new way of working, then it was inevitable in the end. Venkys are making great changes and to my mind JW's advice and experience would have helped them a lot. But there comes a time when you've to ditch the stabilizers and ride your bike alone.
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As always, JW left with dignity and courtesy. A true gentleman. Thank you John Williams. Retire In Peace.

Very sorry John has been forced out, everybody knew it was going to happen but that does not lessen the blow. I hope he stays in football in a senior position. All the very best to him.
We are now a leaderless club who can still be sucked into a relegation battle with a manager who has never managed before.
Bad week for the club, we really need to beat Wigan.

Thanks John for all you have done, you will be missed, but we hope you will still come and watch the games. (for free of course).
One man is not bigger than the club, and venkys want to run it their way. Who are we to argue.
If it all goes t!ts up then yes we can moan, but lets not get all doom and gloom just yet.
John was always going to leave when the new owners came in one way or another, but lets face it people come and go in every line of business.
John as served us well, but maybe he has taken Rovers as far as he can.
Venky`s have spent the money they prommised and want to re-develop the riverside ect ect.
They cant hide anything financially because as a limited company they have to show their profit/loss publicly.
As for me I am not worried in the slightest.

As inevitable as night follos day, the only surprise is that it took so long.

Who's next?

I wouldnt give Jack Walkers statue long before being demolished & melted down.

Thanks for all you have done at the club John, you made us one of the best financially ran clubs in England. You also took the fans views into account and kept season ticket prices low and affordable. You did a fantastic job and kept Uncle Jack's legacy going. I wish you the best for the future and hope to still see you at Ewood cheering the Blues on.

I agree with brfc Stu -JW has done a fantastic job over the last 11 years - he will be missed but thank you for all your efforts.

We are now in unchartered waters lets just hope the boat has been taken over by a sound safe Captain and not the pirates holding the club to ransom and stripping the assets.

The jury remains out on all counts for me at this stage

Sounds like Tom Finn might have a bigger role. I don't know a thing about him. Can anyone enlighten me ?

A sad day for Rovers fans to hear that John is leaving the club.I wrote a letter to the telegraph when Tony Parkes left rovers i was critical of those and other events that were going on at that time. The same day it was published i got a call from the ewood press officer saying that Mr Williams was inviting me to see him that saturday before the game to air my views and give him a chance to respond personally.I have to say he was as good as his word we chatted over coffee in the boardroom and he explained in detail all of the reasons behind my concerns , i left after 45minutes and was truely impressed by the man ,how many chairmen would do that to allay one supporters fears not many i,ll bet so whatever he decides to do in the future i for one wish him all the very best he was the best chairman the club has ever had and probably ever will have.Gone John but not forgotten!

First of all, I would like to thank John Williams for everything he has done for Blackburn Rovers.
Under his tenure, BRFC were a very well run and respected football club. He was widely regarded as one of the best chairmen in football. Rovers have enjoyed 10 consecutive Premier League seasons under his leadership.
Other clubs tried to emulate the way BRFC was being run, often referring to us as 'The Blackburn Model' The correct way to run a football club on limited resources. Sadly, those days are now gone.
.
Whether he was fired, or resigned, is irrelevant. His position as chairman became untenable when the ludicrous decision was taken, to sack Sam Allardyce, and replace him with a person with NO managerial experience whatsoever. A decision that COULD have had catastrophic consequences, but, fortunately, Rovers' Premiership survival is all but secure for another season. That is more down to luck, than good leadership.
.
At this moment in time, Blackburn Rovers are effectively being run by a sports agency, in the shape of SEM/Kentaro/Jerome Anderson. I'm pretty sure they will have their own interests at heart, as opposed to the clubs, and I don't think thats right.
.
Thank you John for all your good work at the club, and all the very best for the future.

kenbro wrote:
Sounds like Tom Finn might have a bigger role. I don't know a thing about him. Can anyone enlighten me ?

Tom Finn? It wouldn't surprise me if these jokers appointed Albert Finn!

No, come back!

FFS

cheers for everything john, you made the club what it is today. Good luck for the future

sad day

Always said I would wait untill the end of the season before making my mind up about Venky's(hate saying their name as it seems they are doing anything possible to get that name branded about)and their puppet Kean.

But although I only managed four or five games a season due to where I live, and a return ticket being 650 pounds plus due to my location, I still would consider myself being a loyal supporter. But unfortunatley, my love for Rovers will never dwindle, but my respect for the new regime and Kean is zilch, so therefore, I for one will not be contributing to the club any longer untill they are gone. And before you all go on about 5 games a year not being much of a contribution, my family and other Canadians around us wore the blue and white halves of Rovers due to my passion for the club, which also meant money being put into merchandise as well. And I can't tell you how proud I was to see them shirts being worn thousands of miles away from Ewood. Yes times move on and we have to adapt to change or get out if it conflicts with our principles. I have told people here about Jack Walker, and how he transformed the club. Now they know of the new owners due to English Premier Review, which is shown on t.v. here every week, and for the neutral it doesn't make good reading. Sorry but as much as I support Blackburn, I don't support the new owners, so therefor this will be my last posting.

John Wiliams, you was a rock for this club mate, and whatever your destination, may it be successful. You are Blackburns loss and someone else's gain.

To quote Kean, he says; "He has decided to stand down and I have always had a good relationship with John, probably more when I was first team coach than in the last couple of months.

Says it all to me that statement.

Sorry but this lot won't be getting a penny from me, can you imagine Jack Walker turning up at Ewood swamped by bodyguards, and a procession of luxury cars? It's a shallow circus that's arrived at Ewood and decent folk like JW are better out of the place.

Thanks John for your magnificent efforts over the last fourteen years. A true gentleman who will be greatly missed.But, like most things in life times change and new owners bring in their own new ideas and people.Blackburn Rovers as a football club and business are whether you like it or not going through massive transition. Gone as the mentality that its just a closeknit, small, but well run, family football club for the very limited numbers of supporters from Blackburn and Darwen.Now is the time to turn Rovers into a worldwide brand and start to move the club upto the next level by becoming the counties Premier league club. Supported by greater numbers of Lancastrians from all 14 districts in the county and further afield.After all ,Newton Heath eventually became Manchester United and is now the best supported club around the world with estimated numbers of 330 million supporters. Venky's would probably be happy if Blackburn Rovers could grow just a tenth of the size of United.One thing is for sure though, they are certainly not happy that the club hasn't grown in the last 50 years and seem hell bent on addressing the problem.

Celtic Rover wrote:
Thanks John for your magnificent efforts over the last fourteen years. A true gentleman who will be greatly missed.But, like most things in life times change and new owners bring in their own new ideas and people.Blackburn Rovers as a football club and business are whether you like it or not going through massive transition. Gone as the mentality that its just a closeknit, small, but well run, family football club for the very limited numbers of supporters from Blackburn and Darwen.Now is the time to turn Rovers into a worldwide brand and start to move the club upto the next level by becoming the counties Premier league club. Supported by greater numbers of Lancastrians from all 14 districts in the county and further afield.After all ,Newton Heath eventually became Manchester United and is now the best supported club around the world with estimated numbers of 330 million supporters. Venky's would probably be happy if Blackburn Rovers could grow just a tenth of the size of United.One thing is for sure though, they are certainly not happy that the club hasn't grown in the last 50 years and seem hell bent on addressing the problem.

So that’s your way of showing support!…interesti
ng...hail hail

Iii1111 wrote:

Celtic Rover wrote: Thanks John for your magnificent efforts over the last fourteen years. A true gentleman who will be greatly missed.But, like most things in life times change and new owners bring in their own new ideas and people.Blackburn Rovers as a football club and business are whether you like it or not going through massive transition. Gone as the mentality that its just a closeknit, small, but well run, family football club for the very limited numbers of supporters from Blackburn and Darwen.Now is the time to turn Rovers into a worldwide brand and start to move the club upto the next level by becoming the counties Premier league club. Supported by greater numbers of Lancastrians from all 14 districts in the county and further afield.After all ,Newton Heath eventually became Manchester United and is now the best supported club around the world with estimated numbers of 330 million supporters. Venky's would probably be happy if Blackburn Rovers could grow just a tenth of the size of United.One thing is for sure though, they are certainly not happy that the club hasn't grown in the last 50 years and seem hell bent on addressing the problem.

So that’s your way of showing support!…interesti ng...hail hail

That's the way it is, accept it or walk away.

Thankyou Mr John Williams, Top man.
He has seen Rovers through good and bad times and i can be only thankfull to him as he seems to be the glue that kept Blackburn Rovers FC together at times.
The way he has delt with the budget has been fantastic , Other clubs would have gone to the ball in similar circumstances.
I think he is a loss to the club and it may show more in the future.
I could go on and on .....Thankyou , Thankyou, Thankyou Mr Williams.

They got JW to do their dirty work: ie sack Sam Allardyce and then sidelined him so he had to quit. What a lousy bloody trick. I hope they haven't made a massive mistake because they have lost a man of great wisdom and experience.
Thanks a million John - you did a superb job. Your ticket pricing policy showed you have great vision.

bed and breakfast man_! wrote:
Thankyou Mr John Williams, Top man. He has seen Rovers through good and bad times and i can be only thankfull to him as he seems to be the glue that kept Blackburn Rovers FC together at times. The way he has delt with the budget has been fantastic , Other clubs would have gone to the ball in similar circumstances. I think he is a loss to the club and it may show more in the future. I could go on and on .....Thankyou , Thankyou, Thankyou Mr Williams.

Sorry...'.Gone to the wall '.......

The only way is down hehehe,who's next?the pie seller;-)

Although this news was very much expected, it is still a sad day.
-
Without this mans work, we would not have maintained our premiership status for this time, since returning to the premiership! He has been able to maintain us a premiership club, despite very little investment over the last 10 years and for that I am forever grateful for his contribution.
-
Now that we have finances, we do not need to run such a tight ship, and fears over increased ticket prices are well founded.
-
If the investment in the club is consistent then I believe we can make this transition seemlessly and move to the upper echelons of the premiership under Steve Kean.
-
Thanks to John Williams, and best of luck for the future!!

TO$$ERS......John, good luck mate where ever your future path takes you. Will sing my heart out for you at Wigan tomorrow. And unless these clowns with all there bling don`t sort the club out like they are doing with their EGO`S, then I`ll be walking too come end of the season. Some people may be blinded by their money, but for me it`s having some morals as well. It`s their way or no way. And Kean, what goes around comes around you a$$licker

burnleyglentoran wrote:
Jack Walker must be spinning in his grave. This guy had a lot of respect. Keep up the good work you slum dog millionaires! Burnley FC - over 125 years and STILL British owned!!!!! NO NAY NEVER

Burnley FC- Havent Beat Blackburn Rovers in 32 years.

No nay never
no never no more
shall we play the burnley B*astards.

Nice One. Just when all you Dingles thought Venkys were all right after all they go and sack the one fella who might just be able to hold things together for Rovers, enjoy the Premiership while it lasts ,because it won't for much longer.

30% asian so called supporters get free tickets and don't even know what off-side is, your on the slide trampwood park.All the best JW

Thank f*ck there was a clause in the takeover stating the Jack Walker statue couldn't be pulled down or moved to another location, as I fear that would be the next to go.
Sadly, there was no such clause included that said they couldn't rename Ewood Park, and mark my words, it' won't be called that at the start of next season.

Stone Island wrote:
Thank f*ck there was a clause in the takeover stating the Jack Walker statue couldn't be pulled down or moved to another location, as I fear that would be the next to go. Sadly, there was no such clause included that said they couldn't rename Ewood Park, and mark my words, it' won't be called that at the start of next season.

Your spot on there stone island.

in moses we trust wrote:
Nice One. Just when all you Dingles thought Venkys were all right after all they go and sack the one fella who might just be able to hold things together for Rovers, enjoy the Premiership while it lasts ,because it won't for much longer.

We'll always be bigger and better than you fcuking LOSERS.
Less than 19k for a PL home game, including a sizeable away following, in whats probably your best ever season in the Prem. Pathetic!

Stone Island wrote:

in moses we trust wrote:
Nice One. Just when all you Dingles thought Venkys were all right after all they go and sack the one fella who might just be able to hold things together for Rovers, enjoy the Premiership while it lasts ,because it won't for much longer.

We'll always be bigger and better than you fcuking LOSERS.
Less than 19k for a PL home game, including a sizeable away following, in whats probably your best ever season in the Prem. Pathetic!

What a strange response to a thread about the sacking of John Williams.

Thank you John Williams for everything you have done for our proud club. True gentleman and Rovers legend.

Come on lads I have had and still have the utmost respect for Mr Williams (in my opinion the best chairman we have had)but all these negative posts,this is football in the modern day money is king especially in the premier league. Venkeys like it or not are owners of the Rovers they have been in charge for barely 3months,yes its been a rollercoaster ride and hard tough decisions have been made and for the better in most cases ,lets just calm down take stock and dont get dragged into the doom merchant and negative thinking brigades mentality.We as a club are on the way up give the owners and Steve Kean a chance the future looks bright and as i keep telling the dingles the future is Blue & White.

A Sad day for Blackburn Rovers he was one of the best Chairman a club could have. Reducing the ticket prices and opening the Darwen end to Rovers fans was brilliant. To be able to run a premier league club on the resources he had was a credit to him and the board.
we will miss you John Williams

You have more faith in them than me Gaz M

At least he used to smile when sat in the executive box watching His team !!!!good luck John

Well, johns gone, sams gone and im sure there will be more goings on that you lot can moan about.
There will it seems, now be a split among fans.
Where once we all wanted us to do better and win more, and we all still do, there are now two types of fans...

1. those who understand the complete package of brfc is about to change if we are to survive and become successful.

2. those that think by some miracle if we had carried on the way we were we would still have been in the prem and doing well in the coming seasons.

The reality of it is this. WE NEED TO CHANGE. We have lived far to long as also rans. we have watched our football become steadily more and more of a game of survival rather than of winning.
No ones wants to just survive!!

There have been many take overs, changes, sackings and ins and outs of many clubs by a wide variety of buyers in the prem, some have done well some have not. What we should all realise is that, despite the rambling of some brfc fans as well as some of the idiot dingles on here, we are club that is about to change and we are a club that has been chosen by a wealthy family that know their business, and in turn are looking to grow it. They have chosen brfc to do that. and i for one am grateful that that has happened whilst im a supporter, so that i may have the opportunity to see our club moulded. Its the next generation.....look forward to it.

What irritates me hugely is this.

Jack walker made us what we are because of his money. When he passed away, the walkers trust took over, and frankly for the last 3 seasons have been looking for a way out. Why? because they didn't want to invest any more money because they didn't have enough to compete with the big boys. So in turn they didn't invest at all, just made sure the 'company' (brfc) stayed
afloat. However, running at a loss of 20million upto last year was not a pretty site for their accountant and there fore, the 'ship jumping' began.

Its all good and well saying what a good job John did, (and i firmly believe he did everything he could for the fans) But as a chairman his hands were tied, and when venkys come in and see that the' boss' of brfc has lost brfc 20million last year, they are gonna sack him. i would too if id just bought it.

Dont forget everyone, venkys are the first people to invest in rovers for a very long time. 20million all ready spent bailing us out of debt. 5 million spent on players, plus the wages. So what ever happens, we now have more assets and less debt than before. If it all goes t1ts up there will be a chinese man or and arab waiting in the wings somewhere to take over and try it their way.

The one constant that rovers will all ways have is the fans. Unfortunately they think that Without them brfc are nothing.
Wake up and smell the roses, people. Any one saying they are going to stop supporting rovers needs their head looking at. Thats not the true feeling of any brfc fan i know. but i read on here that some of you are on your way out??? see ya then, i bet your the same fans who leave 7 mins before the end so as not to hit traffic!

win lose or draw rovers will allways have support, some will jump on board when we are more successful as did the dingle band wagoners, and then will jump off if we fail, what i cant stand to see now is the so called fans that cant see through the clouds and jump on every single opportunity to slate the current new owners.
Thank yourselves lucky some one gives a sh1t people because trust me, under the walkers trust we were on our way down.......

Oh and one last point,
if some one is going to rename ewood, and it means they have to give us 5million a year, so what? its only a name, the rebock, jjb, dw, all just names......
join the ride and stop worrying for gods sake, Its still brfc , and all ways will be no matter what. Do your bit to help out by SUPPORTING brfc instaed of all this doom and gloom for gods sake!!!

granty wrote:
Well, johns gone, sams gone and im sure there will be more goings on that you lot can moan about. There will it seems, now be a split among fans. Where once we all wanted us to do better and win more, and we all still do, there are now two types of fans... 1. those who understand the complete package of brfc is about to change if we are to survive and become successful. 2. those that think by some miracle if we had carried on the way we were we would still have been in the prem and doing well in the coming seasons. The reality of it is this. WE NEED TO CHANGE. We have lived far to long as also rans. we have watched our football become steadily more and more of a game of survival rather than of winning. No ones wants to just survive!! There have been many take overs, changes, sackings and ins and outs of many clubs by a wide variety of buyers in the prem, some have done well some have not. What we should all realise is that, despite the rambling of some brfc fans as well as some of the idiot dingles on here, we are club that is about to change and we are a club that has been chosen by a wealthy family that know their business, and in turn are looking to grow it. They have chosen brfc to do that. and i for one am grateful that that has happened whilst im a supporter, so that i may have the opportunity to see our club moulded. Its the next generation.....look forward to it. What irritates me hugely is this. Jack walker made us what we are because of his money. When he passed away, the walkers trust took over, and frankly for the last 3 seasons have been looking for a way out. Why? because they didn't want to invest any more money because they didn't have enough to compete with the big boys. So in turn they didn't invest at all, just made sure the 'company' (brfc) stayed afloat. However, running at a loss of 20million upto last year was not a pretty site for their accountant and there fore, the 'ship jumping' began. Its all good and well saying what a good job John did, (and i firmly believe he did everything he could for the fans) But as a chairman his hands were tied, and when venkys come in and see that the' boss' of brfc has lost brfc 20million last year, they are gonna sack him. i would too if id just bought it. Dont forget everyone, venkys are the first people to invest in rovers for a very long time. 20million all ready spent bailing us out of debt. 5 million spent on players, plus the wages. So what ever happens, we now have more assets and less debt than before. If it all goes t1ts up there will be a chinese man or and arab waiting in the wings somewhere to take over and try it their way. The one constant that rovers will all ways have is the fans. Unfortunately they think that Without them brfc are nothing. Wake up and smell the roses, people. Any one saying they are going to stop supporting rovers needs their head looking at. Thats not the true feeling of any brfc fan i know. but i read on here that some of you are on your way out??? see ya then, i bet your the same fans who leave 7 mins before the end so as not to hit traffic! win lose or draw rovers will allways have support, some will jump on board when we are more successful as did the dingle band wagoners, and then will jump off if we fail, what i cant stand to see now is the so called fans that cant see through the clouds and jump on every single opportunity to slate the current new owners. Thank yourselves lucky some one gives a sh1t people because trust me, under the walkers trust we were on our way down.......

well said. its a long time since people were excited about rovers. its a new era. enjoy the ride!

Lamp it! wrote:

granty wrote: Well, johns gone, sams gone and im sure there will be more goings on that you lot can moan about. There will it seems, now be a split among fans. Where once we all wanted us to do better and win more, and we all still do, there are now two types of fans... 1. those who understand the complete package of brfc is about to change if we are to survive and become successful. 2. those that think by some miracle if we had carried on the way we were we would still have been in the prem and doing well in the coming seasons. The reality of it is this. WE NEED TO CHANGE. We have lived far to long as also rans. we have watched our football become steadily more and more of a game of survival rather than of winning. No ones wants to just survive!! There have been many take overs, changes, sackings and ins and outs of many clubs by a wide variety of buyers in the prem, some have done well some have not. What we should all realise is that, despite the rambling of some brfc fans as well as some of the idiot dingles on here, we are club that is about to change and we are a club that has been chosen by a wealthy family that know their business, and in turn are looking to grow it. They have chosen brfc to do that. and i for one am grateful that that has happened whilst im a supporter, so that i may have the opportunity to see our club moulded. Its the next generation.....look forward to it. What irritates me hugely is this. Jack walker made us what we are because of his money. When he passed away, the walkers trust took over, and frankly for the last 3 seasons have been looking for a way out. Why? because they didn't want to invest any more money because they didn't have enough to compete with the big boys. So in turn they didn't invest at all, just made sure the 'company' (brfc) stayed afloat. However, running at a loss of 20million upto last year was not a pretty site for their accountant and there fore, the 'ship jumping' began. Its all good and well saying what a good job John did, (and i firmly believe he did everything he could for the fans) But as a chairman his hands were tied, and when venkys come in and see that the' boss' of brfc has lost brfc 20million last year, they are gonna sack him. i would too if id just bought it. Dont forget everyone, venkys are the first people to invest in rovers for a very long time. 20million all ready spent bailing us out of debt. 5 million spent on players, plus the wages. So what ever happens, we now have more assets and less debt than before. If it all goes t1ts up there will be a chinese man or and arab waiting in the wings somewhere to take over and try it their way. The one constant that rovers will all ways have is the fans. Unfortunately they think that Without them brfc are nothing. Wake up and smell the roses, people. Any one saying they are going to stop supporting rovers needs their head looking at. Thats not the true feeling of any brfc fan i know. but i read on here that some of you are on your way out??? see ya then, i bet your the same fans who leave 7 mins before the end so as not to hit traffic! win lose or draw rovers will allways have support, some will jump on board when we are more successful as did the dingle band wagoners, and then will jump off if we fail, what i cant stand to see now is the so called fans that cant see through the clouds and jump on every single opportunity to slate the current new owners. Thank yourselves lucky some one gives a sh1t people because trust me, under the walkers trust we were on our way down.......

well said. its a long time since people were excited about rovers. its a new era. enjoy the ride!

At last. I've been waiting all night to say this:

Thank God there are intelligent people out there without a negative agenda.
Well said,totally agree with every word. Hope I can say it again tomorrow.(not holding my breath though)

colnelad wrote:
The only way is down hehehe,who's next?the pie seller;-)

Hopefully it is your Burnley shi* being kept in the shi* dumpster because you are too emarrassed to even post here again, do to our own success.
-
Wait for the relegation struggle next season loser...loser Burnley.

So all the doom and gloom merchants are back in force.Think back to when Sam was sacked....were all doomed,were gonna be relegated,all our star players are going to have a mass exodus,etc,etc, who is Steve kean,Venky's out...remember????Wh
at has happened since....some decent football,all our stars signing new contracts,getting some new faces in January,been 9 in the league,the fans shouting "Keano" and respecting him.....John Williams is an out and out gentleman who done trojan work for our club and we will always be in his debt for that so THANKS for all your hard work but as mentioned buissness is buissness and things change,we NEED investment and thats the reality of it,we should remember John for all he has done but we also must look to the future......

I have reserved my comments until the end of the transfer window so I could give the new owners a chance rarther than a knee jerk reaction,I see some positives and negatives ,

positives
the sacking of Allardyce
the stated ambition
the difference in style of play

negatives
appointment of a yes man as manager
undoubted influence on said yes man by his string-puller Anderson
on -off performances,we beat a terrible Liverpool team or more to the point beat Glenn Jonnsen and West Brom twice,yet put in mediocre perfomances in all the other games since Steve 'jerome' Keane was put in charge
I really want to be positve as this is the only club I have ever supported but am I the only one who can see that having a football agent as a consultant is a massive conflict of interest.I don't know who represents the Formica or Rochina guys but I can make a guess.Its a accepted practice in business nowadays to have consultants but they don't usually make the tea boy the CEO.
As for the way we play I for one am all for it but we still have not got that touch in front of goal and sometimes play to many inside passes in to a crowded midfield where we have talented wide men to push through

Thank you John Williams for all your efforts over the years.

One of the best chairman in football and we were lucky to have you at Blackburn.

Best of luck with your future endeavours. Hopefully it may be with the FA or FIFA.

The problem is, they are both run by tossers who know diddly squat about football as well.

JW might have 'walked out', but it's apparent he was 'encouraged' to do so, otherwise, why would he be receiving a compensation package? It could be referred to as an 'amicable termination', we sack you but still give you some dosh so you won't take us to the tribunal/cleaners.
Less than three months ago, Venky's released a statement as below.

Quote:
Anuradha J Desai, the Chairperson of Venky’s, said:

“We are delighted, proud and humbled to be associated with Blackburn Rovers, a team with whom we share many values and ambitions. Going forward we plan to focus on leveraging the global influence in establishing Blackburn Rovers as a truly global brand. We will absolutely respect the Jack Walker legacy and will be actively supporting the organisation to ensure that Blackburn Rovers remains one of the best run Clubs within the Premier League. We are particularly pleased that the deal has the full support of the Walker Trust, the Chairman and the management team who will of course remain in place with our full support.
End quote.

They remained in place alright, but not for long! The question that has not been answered for me is, why did Venky's really buy Blackburn Rovers?
Lifelong supporters?
Blackburn born and bred?
Looking to invest heavily without a guaranteed return?
Pimping the club wherever they can to make a profit?
To satisfy their obviously inflated egos? - One only has to look at their well-orchestrated, over-hyped arrival for the Spurs game and their milking of the attention to see that they have a taste for the 'celebrity' lifestyle.

Whatever their reasons for buying our club, they haven't bought my respect, that is something they will have to earn by working exceptionally hard and being totally dedicated to ensuring Rovers' survival and success, just as the two JWs did and when did you ever see Uncle Jack arrive like he was going to the Oscars? Jack not only loved his home town team, he had a level of integrity that, through his actions, earned him the respect of the football world and the eternal love of everyone associated with Blackburn Rovers.

I hope that the new owners aspire to Jack's standards and avoid pitfalls such as changing the name of Ewood Park, which would be a travesty indeed.
So Venky's, forget about trying to be flash, it means bu66erall to us Blackburnians, step up and show us what you've really got.

John Oldgit

granty wrote:
Well, johns gone, sams gone and im sure there will be more goings on that you lot can moan about. There will it seems, now be a split among fans. Where once we all wanted us to do better and win more, and we all still do, there are now two types of fans... 1. those who understand the complete package of brfc is about to change if we are to survive and become successful. 2. those that think by some miracle if we had carried on the way we were we would still have been in the prem and doing well in the coming seasons. The reality of it is this. WE NEED TO CHANGE. We have lived far to long as also rans. we have watched our football become steadily more and more of a game of survival rather than of winning. No ones wants to just survive!! There have been many take overs, changes, sackings and ins and outs of many clubs by a wide variety of buyers in the prem, some have done well some have not. What we should all realise is that, despite the rambling of some brfc fans as well as some of the idiot dingles on here, we are club that is about to change and we are a club that has been chosen by a wealthy family that know their business, and in turn are looking to grow it. They have chosen brfc to do that. and i for one am grateful that that has happened whilst im a supporter, so that i may have the opportunity to see our club moulded. Its the next generation.....look forward to it. What irritates me hugely is this. Jack walker made us what we are because of his money. When he passed away, the walkers trust took over, and frankly for the last 3 seasons have been looking for a way out. Why? because they didn't want to invest any more money because they didn't have enough to compete with the big boys. So in turn they didn't invest at all, just made sure the 'company' (brfc) stayed afloat. However, running at a loss of 20million upto last year was not a pretty site for their accountant and there fore, the 'ship jumping' began. Its all good and well saying what a good job John did, (and i firmly believe he did everything he could for the fans) But as a chairman his hands were tied, and when venkys come in and see that the' boss' of brfc has lost brfc 20million last year, they are gonna sack him. i would too if id just bought it. Dont forget everyone, venkys are the first people to invest in rovers for a very long time. 20million all ready spent bailing us out of debt. 5 million spent on players, plus the wages. So what ever happens, we now have more assets and less debt than before. If it all goes t1ts up there will be a chinese man or and arab waiting in the wings somewhere to take over and try it their way. The one constant that rovers will all ways have is the fans. Unfortunately they think that Without them brfc are nothing. Wake up and smell the roses, people. Any one saying they are going to stop supporting rovers needs their head looking at. Thats not the true feeling of any brfc fan i know. but i read on here that some of you are on your way out??? see ya then, i bet your the same fans who leave 7 mins before the end so as not to hit traffic! win lose or draw rovers will allways have support, some will jump on board when we are more successful as did the dingle band wagoners, and then will jump off if we fail, what i cant stand to see now is the so called fans that cant see through the clouds and jump on every single opportunity to slate the current new owners. Thank yourselves lucky some one gives a sh1t people because trust me, under the walkers trust we were on our way down.......

At last, another like minded Rovers supporter who is singing off the same hymn sheet as me. Nice one granty, i was getting to the stage were i genuinely thought that i was banging my head against a brick wall on this one mate.The problem is that most Blackburn based supporters don't seem to be able to accept or grasp the fact that like you correctly stated change had to happen or we were going to be relegated sooner rather than later, the figures year on year proved that.The club is now on a much stronger financial footing now to start to build.The big question now is have Blackburn Rovers got the potential fanbase to deliver?.

Stone Island wrote:
Thank f*ck there was a clause in the takeover stating the Jack Walker statue couldn't be pulled down or moved to another location, as I fear that would be the next to go.
Sadly, there was no such clause included that said they couldn't rename Ewood Park, and mark my words, it' won't be called that at the start of next season.

Aye, for a six month period only if I remember correctly!

Celtic Rover wrote:

granty wrote: Well, johns gone, sams gone and im sure there will be more goings on that you lot can moan about. There will it seems, now be a split among fans. Where once we all wanted us to do better and win more, and we all still do, there are now two types of fans... 1. those who understand the complete package of brfc is about to change if we are to survive and become successful. 2. those that think by some miracle if we had carried on the way we were we would still have been in the prem and doing well in the coming seasons. The reality of it is this. WE NEED TO CHANGE. We have lived far to long as also rans. we have watched our football become steadily more and more of a game of survival rather than of winning. No ones wants to just survive!! There have been many take overs, changes, sackings and ins and outs of many clubs by a wide variety of buyers in the prem, some have done well some have not. What we should all realise is that, despite the rambling of some brfc fans as well as some of the idiot dingles on here, we are club that is about to change and we are a club that has been chosen by a wealthy family that know their business, and in turn are looking to grow it. They have chosen brfc to do that. and i for one am grateful that that has happened whilst im a supporter, so that i may have the opportunity to see our club moulded. Its the next generation.....look forward to it. What irritates me hugely is this. Jack walker made us what we are because of his money. When he passed away, the walkers trust took over, and frankly for the last 3 seasons have been looking for a way out. Why? because they didn't want to invest any more money because they didn't have enough to compete with the big boys. So in turn they didn't invest at all, just made sure the 'company' (brfc) stayed afloat. However, running at a loss of 20million upto last year was not a pretty site for their accountant and there fore, the 'ship jumping' began. Its all good and well saying what a good job John did, (and i firmly believe he did everything he could for the fans) But as a chairman his hands were tied, and when venkys come in and see that the' boss' of brfc has lost brfc 20million last year, they are gonna sack him. i would too if id just bought it. Dont forget everyone, venkys are the first people to invest in rovers for a very long time. 20million all ready spent bailing us out of debt. 5 million spent on players, plus the wages. So what ever happens, we now have more assets and less debt than before. If it all goes t1ts up there will be a chinese man or and arab waiting in the wings somewhere to take over and try it their way. The one constant that rovers will all ways have is the fans. Unfortunately they think that Without them brfc are nothing. Wake up and smell the roses, people. Any one saying they are going to stop supporting rovers needs their head looking at. Thats not the true feeling of any brfc fan i know. but i read on here that some of you are on your way out??? see ya then, i bet your the same fans who leave 7 mins before the end so as not to hit traffic! win lose or draw rovers will allways have support, some will jump on board when we are more successful as did the dingle band wagoners, and then will jump off if we fail, what i cant stand to see now is the so called fans that cant see through the clouds and jump on every single opportunity to slate the current new owners. Thank yourselves lucky some one gives a sh1t people because trust me, under the walkers trust we were on our way down.......

At last, another like minded Rovers supporter who is singing off the same hymn sheet as me. Nice one granty, i was getting to the stage were i genuinely thought that i was banging my head against a brick wall on this one mate.The problem is that most Blackburn based supporters don't seem to be able to accept or grasp the fact that like you correctly stated change had to happen or we were going to be relegated sooner rather than later, the figures year on year proved that.The club is now on a much stronger financial footing now to start to build.The big question now is have Blackburn Rovers got the potential fanbase to deliver?.

You were never quite the lone ranger (or Rover) Celtic, you must know that I and a small band of other forward-looking Rovers posters have been saying the very same thing about the need for change long before Venkys came alooking. We pointed out the downward spiral that the club was in and hiow without change and investment that the club were in real danger.
*
Since the change more posters have joined the 'give change a chance' club and with a few more wins and our Prem future safe, then I reckon that the majority of Rovers fans will see that the future for the club looks much more secure now, that the new players we brought in with the support of our senior players will allow the team to evolve to play more attacking and entertaining football and that we will have more chance to compete for all trophies going forward.
* Change was vital but it takes time for people to adjust and accept it, some never will but the majority I think will eventually support it and welcome the success it will surely bring.

Read more lies from Anuradha Desai in sky sports news/Blackurn Rovers
Venkys will never lean to keep their mouths shut
She say's JW lost interest when kean took over from Sam and that JW did not get on with Kean

Rishtonian wrote:
Read more lies from Anuradha Desai in sky sports news/Blackurn Rovers
Venkys will never lean to keep their mouths shut
She say's JW lost interest when kean took over from Sam and that JW did not get on with Kean

Who clucking openly admits, "yeah the chairman had a problem with the douche we put in charge, soz." John didn't lose interest in the club he lost interest in Venkys! And Venkys are a foolish company that say one thing and change it five minutes later.

Steve Kean will only be the care-taker manager till the end of the season, (a handful of days later) Steve Kean is given a three year contract as we "think" he's the right man for the job.

Jesus christ you don't THINK! You look at the facts! You accumulate all the facts and data gained at the end of the season and calculate whether or not it is worth taking on the first team coach as the Manager for a longer period, not take a complete and utter fricking gamble! Gambles result in the likes of Brian Kidd, Paul Ince...which results in, not a lot in the way off good!

She said that ties with Mr. Andersen (my name is Neo) are severed...Yeah bull to that, what do you take us for?

John Oldgit wrote:
JW might have 'walked out', but it's apparent he was 'encouraged' to do so, otherwise, why would he be receiving a compensation package? It could be referred to as an 'amicable termination', we sack you but still give you some dosh so you won't take us to the tribunal/cleaners. Less than three months ago, Venky's released a statement as below. Quote: Anuradha J Desai, the Chairperson of Venky’s, said: “We are delighted, proud and humbled to be associated with Blackburn Rovers, a team with whom we share many values and ambitions. Going forward we plan to focus on leveraging the global influence in establishing Blackburn Rovers as a truly global brand. We will absolutely respect the Jack Walker legacy and will be actively supporting the organisation to ensure that Blackburn Rovers remains one of the best run Clubs within the Premier League. We are particularly pleased that the deal has the full support of the Walker Trust, the Chairman and the management team who will of course remain in place with our full support. End quote. They remained in place alright, but not for long! The question that has not been answered for me is, why did Venky's really buy Blackburn Rovers? Lifelong supporters? Blackburn born and bred? Looking to invest heavily without a guaranteed return? Pimping the club wherever they can to make a profit? To satisfy their obviously inflated egos? - One only has to look at their well-orchestrated, over-hyped arrival for the Spurs game and their milking of the attention to see that they have a taste for the 'celebrity' lifestyle. Whatever their reasons for buying our club, they haven't bought my respect, that is something they will have to earn by working exceptionally hard and being totally dedicated to ensuring Rovers' survival and success, just as the two JWs did and when did you ever see Uncle Jack arrive like he was going to the Oscars? Jack not only loved his home town team, he had a level of integrity that, through his actions, earned him the respect of the football world and the eternal love of everyone associated with Blackburn Rovers. I hope that the new owners aspire to Jack's standards and avoid pitfalls such as changing the name of Ewood Park, which would be a travesty indeed. So Venky's, forget about trying to be flash, it means bu66erall to us Blackburnians, step up and show us what you've really got. John Oldgit

Brilliant! well put!!