Fans action group set up centre at Ewood Park (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Fans action group set up centre at Ewood Park
9:46am Thursday 13th December 2012 in Sport
A FANS action group, which in the past has been a consistent critic of Blackburn Rovers, has opened a walk-in centre at the club for supporters.
The Blackburn Rovers Football Community Action Group centre is the first of its kind in the UK.
The centre will be open six days a week at Ewood Park, of which dedicated time slots will be made available for fans to drop in off the street to bring concerns to the democratically elected committee. The centre will also be manned by volunteers from within the supporter base, while this platform will allow communication to the relevant departments within the club to accelerate at a much greater speed with the emphasis on customer satisfaction. It will be funded by the group’s committee, who are currently seeking a long term sponsor to help with the rising cost of the group’s activities.
Over the last 18 months the Action Group, who are officially recognised by Rovers, has cam-paigned for open communication with the club to allow supporters not only a voice regarding concerns, but also a platform to work with the club within the community. They have organised protests against both the owners and former manager Steve Kean and have continually called for Venky’s to either shape up or ship out.
The group has been looking for a permanent base for many months and after negotiations with Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, have found a solution which will cater for all the groups’ immediate needs.
It is hoped this new initiative will give supporters an opportunity to get closer to the dynamics surrounding the club, while also giving them more knowledge on the group’s activities within the community. The group’s 2013 calendar is already full of events which will benefit many across the borough.
Secretary Mark Fish, said: “This really is an exciting time for the group, after many months of trying to open up and maintain dialogue with the administration of Blackburn Rovers we now have the opportunity to listen to, raise and search for solutions to supporters concerns quicker than ever before. “This is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and is a move which is fully endorsed by Black-burn Rovers Foot-ball Club.
“We’d like to thank Blackburn Rovers Comm-unity Trust for their help in securing a wonderful base amongst their first class facilities which they have on offer and we look forward to a fruitful relationship with them, as we try and build the bridges between the towns football club and its community.”
Blackburn Rovers’ global ad-visor Shebby Singh, said: “This centre shows the commitment of the BRFC Action Group in wanting to bring the fans closer to the club. We appreciate these efforts as we join hands to forge strength in numbers for the progress of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.”
Ewood Ward Councillor, Maureen Bate-son MBE, said: “I think the walk in centre is a great idea.
“It’s a real chance for the fans and community to have some-where to come and air any is-sues they have, that can then be taken up or pass-ed on to the club. “As a local councillor I will also, along with my colleagues work with all parties to give any support we can. “This is yet another step for-ward in building bridges between the club, the fans and the local community.”
And Blackburn mayor Councillor Zamir Khan also gave his support to the centre and praised the club for taking on board the concerns of the fans in recent times.
He said: “This drop-in centre is the first of its kind in the whole country, if not in the UK, based here at the Darwen End of the stadium.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to listen to the concerns of the genuine fans of Blackburn Rovers and for the action group to pass the important issues to the club. “I was glad to be part of the opening and indorsing along with Shebby Singh and other important people. “I applaud hard working BRFC Action Group in taking up this important task and I hope it works well which I am sure will, so well done guys, keep it up and good luck.”
Comments(25)
steralc
says...
9:55am Thu 13 Dec 12
What is becoming of this club
A Darener
says...
10:00am Thu 13 Dec 12
Perhaps they could invite Mrs D and her brothers to a meeting in the town to meet and discuss with the Indian populus the reason why they don't support her and her team. If only a small percentage of them were encouraged to attend then the increase in Ewood Park gates could be tremendous.
dangerous dave
says...
10:02am Thu 13 Dec 12
All he is after is PR for himself but does'nt realize how embarrassing it is listening to his verbal diarrhoea - it only makes him and the Club look bigger fools than they already are - but I wish you well.
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKYS AND MAY BE BERG
French Rover
says...
10:45am Thu 13 Dec 12
A Darener wrote:probably don't want to watch a poor football team getting beat when they can stay indoors and watch cricket on SKY! Don't blame them especially as it is such an exciting test series just now. Come on England.
Perhaps one of its first actions could be to encourage more of Blackburn's Indian population (13% according to the 2011 census) to take a more active interest in football, especially BRFC, as it has Indian owners.
Perhaps they could invite Mrs D and her brothers to a meeting in the town to meet and discuss with the Indian populus the reason why they don't support her and her team. If only a small percentage of them were encouraged to attend then the increase in Ewood Park gates could be tremendous.
MatthewCA
says...
11:03am Thu 13 Dec 12
All the best.
blueblooded
says...
11:04am Thu 13 Dec 12
A Darener wrote:Great idea LP, it would certainly be no harm in trying to engage with the asian community. It might even encourage more asian youths to join the youth programmes.
Perhaps one of its first actions could be to encourage more of Blackburn's Indian population (13% according to the 2011 census) to take a more active interest in football, especially BRFC, as it has Indian owners.
Perhaps they could invite Mrs D and her brothers to a meeting in the town to meet and discuss with the Indian populus the reason why they don't support her and her team. If only a small percentage of them were encouraged to attend then the increase in Ewood Park gates could be tremendous.
AndyW
says...
11:07am Thu 13 Dec 12
Does nobody have anything better to do?
Surely all involved have families, jobs and lives away from a game of football...?
Gaz M
says...
11:25am Thu 13 Dec 12
A Darener wrote:The Indian population in the town show as much interest in the club as the owners ,very little and why should they when they see thousands deserting the club month by month we cant keep our regular hardcore of support interested these days.
Perhaps one of its first actions could be to encourage more of Blackburn's Indian population (13% according to the 2011 census) to take a more active interest in football, especially BRFC, as it has Indian owners.
Perhaps they could invite Mrs D and her brothers to a meeting in the town to meet and discuss with the Indian populus the reason why they don't support her and her team. If only a small percentage of them were encouraged to attend then the increase in Ewood Park gates could be tremendous.
Gaz M
says...
11:25am Thu 13 Dec 12
A Darener wrote:The Indian population in the town show as much interest in the club as the owners ,very little and why should they when they see thousands deserting the club month by month we cant keep our regular hardcore of support interested these days.
Perhaps one of its first actions could be to encourage more of Blackburn's Indian population (13% according to the 2011 census) to take a more active interest in football, especially BRFC, as it has Indian owners.
Perhaps they could invite Mrs D and her brothers to a meeting in the town to meet and discuss with the Indian populus the reason why they don't support her and her team. If only a small percentage of them were encouraged to attend then the increase in Ewood Park gates could be tremendous.
fanny_tickler.
says...
1:00pm Thu 13 Dec 12
madrover
says...
1:43pm Thu 13 Dec 12
eddie the eagle
says...
1:54pm Thu 13 Dec 12
madrover
says...
2:05pm Thu 13 Dec 12
fanny_tickler. wrote:what a p***k
Seriously, you just couldn't make it up. What an absolute farce. A drop-in centre for disgruntled Rovers fans? What do they do, sit you down with a nice cup and tea and give you a shoulder to cry on?
MxMave
says...
3:04pm Thu 13 Dec 12
MatthewCA wrote:Are you drunk or am i?
Fans should buy season ticket and arrange FULL HOUSE while there players are in Ewood. this is first time, they got a place near club and six days for chat.
All the best.
penrithrover
says...
3:10pm Thu 13 Dec 12
I for one do not believe that the people that rune Rovers will be providing free office space at Ewood park unless there is something in it for them.
I would take a gamble with anyone ,i would be prepared to gamble say a weeks wages of our assistant reserve team manager , how much 400/500/600 NO Hendry is now the reserve team assistant manager and his wages are 8,000 pounds a week , laughable is it not ?
Anyway I would say that if that lot are offering free space for the Rovers supporters trust it is not a goodwill gesture there is something in it for them.
fanny_tickler.
says...
4:43pm Thu 13 Dec 12
madrover wrote:And maybe a Jammy Dodger?
fanny_tickler. wrote:what a p***k
Seriously, you just couldn't make it up. What an absolute farce. A drop-in centre for disgruntled Rovers fans? What do they do, sit you down with a nice cup and tea and give you a shoulder to cry on?
johnny rover
says...
5:43pm Thu 13 Dec 12
A Darener wrote:Spot on. I can think of many reasons why Blackburn Asians have not engaged with the club, but with the local Asian polulation increasing and the local non-Asian polulation falling it is essential for the long-term future of the club that it begins to attract Asian support.
Perhaps one of its first actions could be to encourage more of Blackburn's Indian population (13% according to the 2011 census) to take a more active interest in football, especially BRFC, as it has Indian owners.
Perhaps they could invite Mrs D and her brothers to a meeting in the town to meet and discuss with the Indian populus the reason why they don't support her and her team. If only a small percentage of them were encouraged to attend then the increase in Ewood Park gates could be tremendous.
dangerous dave
says...
7:27pm Thu 13 Dec 12
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKYS AND MAY BE BERG.
Dukes
says...
10:57pm Thu 13 Dec 12
VENKYS OUT
glen9mullan
says...
11:34pm Thu 13 Dec 12
penrithrover wrote:The Walk in centre is neither goverment funded or club funded. The group has never recieved any external funding, grants or gestures from any body or the club. We pay monthly for the office out of our own pockets. The idea behind the centre is to allow not just football supporters, but members of the community a free service. From a football perspective any concerns supporters have can be brought up at anytime either by appointment Monday to Saturday, or through the drop in sugeries we have between 4pmand 7.30 pm Tuesday's and Thursdays. The centre is located in th Darwen End suite 6, and is rented of Blackburn Rovers Cummunity trust who are independent from the club. The idea behind the centre is supporters can have their issues accelerated rapidly to the relevant department at the club and to that supporters satisfaction, including getting them a one to one audience with the high ranking employee's at the club. In addtiion to this the group is heavily involved in community projects and works closely with th council, young people's services and many charities. It s hoped that the centre will provide community aid for those who require assistance and help and rapidly. There is many great organisations in the borough, however many people do not know this exist, they do not know what these organisations do, and do not know what free help is available to them. The centre will be used as a vehicle to try and promote these services to the public to allow them more options. The groups netwok allows people to get pointed in the right direction for the right help. The centre is manned by volunteers who not only do not get paid, but also claim zero expenses for their time which can run into hundreds of hours collectively over a one week period. The group is desperately seeking sponsorship as its currently funded out of the committee's own pockets as it continues to strive for a well run club and a closer community. The group also offers a free membership which gives everyone who joins discounts across te borough from everything from leisure, shopping, eating out, days out and free parking. For more information please visit. www.brfcactiongroup.
Is it government funded ?
I for one do not believe that the people that rune Rovers will be providing free office space at Ewood park unless there is something in it for them.
I would take a gamble with anyone ,i would be prepared to gamble say a weeks wages of our assistant reserve team manager , how much 400/500/600 NO Hendry is now the reserve team assistant manager and his wages are 8,000 pounds a week , laughable is it not ?
Anyway I would say that if that lot are offering free space for the Rovers supporters trust it is not a goodwill gesture there is something in it for them.
co.uk or email glen@brfcactiongroup
.co.uk
owd nick
says...
1:26pm Fri 14 Dec 12
People who half scared the life out of my daughter?
People like the guy who told me to f*** off and I hope you get cancer?
Well, I do wish them luck but at the end of the day I won't be "walking in" anytime soon, I wouldn't be responsible for my actions.
I don't want this group representing me in any shape or form whatsoever.
Perhaps "Dangerous Dave" should join them, he's good at screaming and shouting on here, perfect for membership as far as I am concerned.
dangerous dave
says...
1:48pm Fri 14 Dec 12
And dont associate me either with this group who appear to have gone totally off track and become a benefits agency!!
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKYS AND MAY BE BERG
owd nick
says...
4:05pm Fri 14 Dec 12
dangerous dave wrote:Dave old son, if you put things in capitals on forums, e mails, blogs, anything on line it's regarded as SHOUTING!
owd nick - your wrong again you cant 'shout' on here you can only type a comment!!!!
And dont associate me either with this group who appear to have gone totally off track and become a benefits agency!!
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKYS AND MAY BE BERG
dangerous dave
says...
4:25pm Fri 14 Dec 12
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY VENKYS AND MAY BE BERG
Lancs - pensioner says...
9:54am Thu 13 Dec 12