BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw is among a group of high-profile Rovers fans who have given their backing to plans for a supporters’ trust takeover of the club.

Plans to buy Blackburn Rovers from Venky’s and put it into community leadership were officially launched yesterday, after businessman Wayne Wild declared his ambitions earlier this month.

While the funds needed to facilitate a takeover would depend on Rovers’ league position, with Venky’s still adamant they are not for sale, Wild believes the best ownership model for the club is to be entirely owned by the supporters through a trust.

They have targeted raising an initial £10m through a share issue – aiming to sell 10,000 shares at £1,000 each – as frustrations grow over the Venky’s regime at Rovers.

Straw has joined a number of prominent Rovers supporters who have backed the plans and are willing to help bring it to fruition and provide expert support where needed.

He said: “The work has been done by Wayne Wild but I am supporting it.

“I think if you can find agreement with the Venky’s and we are able to raise sufficient funds, which is a big if, then it is a sensible approach.

“It is going to be very hard to get it off the ground but I applaud Wayne Wild’s efforts and those of everyone else involved.”

As well as Straw, local MPs Jake Berry and Graham Jones and former leader of Blackburn council and chairman of Blackburn college, Sir Bill Taylor, have voiced their support.

Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen council, is also said to be on board.

Sir Bill Taylor said he wrote to the Venkys last year “because I thought they were completely disconnected from the fan base.”

He said: “I support the trust plan but hope that the Venky’s start a dialogue with the fans and come to understand that there is a huge number of people in this town to whom Rovers is the whole of their life outside their family.”

The Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust has set up a working party comprising of Rovers fans with backgrounds in various business sectors.

Prominent fans groups are backing the bid and a website has been launched at www.brsit.co.uk together with social media campaigns on Facebook and twitter.

Wild, the group director of Rovers’ main sponsor WEC,is the brainchild of the plans, along with Swedish-based American finance expert Daniel Grabko.

Wild said: “At some point, and maybe soon, we believe Blackburn Rovers will be put up for sale. We believe the best ownership model is to be entirely owned by the supporters through a trust.

“We are seeking to engage with the current owners to advise them of our plans and we ask that they consider our proposals seriously as a credible and respectful way to pass on ownership of the club.

“At this stage we are asking Blackburn Rovers supporters if they would be willing to buy a share in their club. The more fans to buy a share, the stronger and more credible our bid will be.

“The aim of the trust is to establish a truly democratic ownership model, which can be independently monitored and held to account by the people who really matter - Blackburn Rovers supporters.”

For more information and to make a pledge of financial support, you can visit www.brsit.co.uk.