Rovers column: It’s agony, but I’ll be back at Ewood

LAST week I did something a lot of people may question. I renewed my season ticket.

You might think I have lost my marbles, but you are wrong.

Tips in Blackburn and the surrounding areas are overflowing with discarded season ticket renewal forms.

And who can blame fans for being disillusioned to the point of not wanting to go to watch their beloved club?

But at the end of the day, what is the point in calling yourself a Rovers fan if you don’t want to go to the games?

Don’t get me wrong, I understand why people are turning their backs on the club while it is shoddily run.

I just think if you are passionate about a football team, you can’t just stop going.

The club was created for the people of Blackburn 137 years ago, long before the first Venky’s chicken had laid its first egg.

And it is to be hoped it will live on long after the owners have flown the nest and, fingers crossed, passed the club into far more capable hands.

The club needs us to stick with it. Historically we have been a club surviving on a shoestring in the second and third tiers of the game.

And it looks as though, long-term, those days could return to Blackburn. Then we really will see who the true fans are.

Relegation is 99 per cent certain now after that dismal display at Spurs.

Maybe I am to blame after trimming down my beard in a shameless show of callous disregard for the Grow A Givet Beard For Survival campaign.

But I am more inclined to blame the manager for his tactics, and the players for seemingly giving up the ghost.

What sort of team fighting for survival sits back and fails to register a shot on goal?

It was embarrassing to watch and, I think, a real wake up call for those national newspaper journalists in the capital who thought gentleman Kean had turned a corner. Perhaps now they understand the anger.

Kean tells us we were ‘ambitious’. ‘We had Yak and Junior as a two-pronged attack’, he spouts.

Not much use if they don’t cross the half way line, though, is it?

I am genuinely intrigued as to how he will defend his performance this season when relegation is mathematically ensured.

At some point even Kean must surely have to come to the realisation that he really isn’t good enough to manage in the Premier League.

If you are going to begin a boycott of Rovers, though, why not go and support your nearest non-league team?

Thousands of Rovers fans live in Darwen, now there is a team that needs all the help it can get.

Comments(40)

HighburyB&W says...
9:35am Tue 1 May 12

The point of calling myself a Rovers fan is about a life-long passion for the club and not measured by how many games I attend.
The club is mismanaged and renewing a season ticket just puts money into Venky's pockets. Now thats what I call a real fan - someone who funds the debacle that continues at Ewood.......

danclough says...
10:23am Tue 1 May 12

You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.

RobbyRover says...
10:35am Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
I live in London now Dan for work, but I still get to as many games as I can.

The reason I'm not renewing my ST is that I disagree, on principle, with being shafted. And that's what I feel is happening at this club. Until the bald headed, lip-licking, fib-spouter is gone I will not give them money.

I was at the Lane on Sunday and I'd rather Kean had said "look lads, cheers for coming, but instead of trying to win the game I'm just going to slap you all across the face then pick up my rupees" because at least it would be honest.

hasslem hasslem says...
11:46am Tue 1 May 12

dan - i understand you renewing and your reasons, but others will not as the only realistic medium of protest available to them...it doesn't make them any less of a supporter.
.
i hate all this "i'm a bigger fan than you" and "true blue" ritualistic d1ck waving that is going on at the moment on here and in the pubs n clubs.
.
the reality is that virtually everybody who has an emotional connection with blackburn rovers recognises the turmoil that envelops our beloved club.

I understand rovers end of season highlights (highlights is a joke BTW) dvd will be produced by hammer house of horrors and lord haw haw is the new freddie kruger. watching rovers should carry an 18 certificate.
.
unless things change very quickly on the pitch, on the touchline and in the boardroom (ie before the start of next season) we will be in terminal decline. people talk about leeds and pompey - but look further down and the spectre of bradford and even oxford and luton is reflected from the bottom of a very dark abyss.
.
if this were any other business you would think there is a deliberate attempt at subterfuge and sabotage and the real money behing the venkys comes from flood and kilby.

HighburyB&W says...
11:54am Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Completely disagree - I too have moved to London and live near Highbury but I haven't become an Arsenal fan just because its more convenient to go and watch them. I support Rovers and go to as many games as possible because I was brought up supporting them and have lots of great memeries doing so. Your idea of a fan seems to be more akin to the American idea of franchises and moving loyalty as and when it suits your circumstances.

ewoodcow says...
11:55am Tue 1 May 12

Being a Rovers fan is more than buying a season ticket and attending games.
The time has come to take a more strategic view of the situation and I firmly believe that the best way I and others can support the Club is by not renewing season tickets and forcing the owners into some action - a first step would be to sack Kean.
The big worry is that even if they do, no other manager of any repute will work for Venkys!

cmbrovers says...
12:11pm Tue 1 May 12

HighburyB&W wrote:
danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Completely disagree - I too have moved to London and live near Highbury but I haven't become an Arsenal fan just because its more convenient to go and watch them. I support Rovers and go to as many games as possible because I was brought up supporting them and have lots of great memeries doing so. Your idea of a fan seems to be more akin to the American idea of franchises and moving loyalty as and when it suits your circumstances.
Well said Highbury. I have supported Rovers since 1969, followed them through thick and thin even when I lived in London for 11 years. And I continue to do so even though I now live in Cornwall. I attend as many games as I can but a 700 mile round trip is not affordable on a regular basis.
I do, however, watch football in Cornwall (Truro City are now in Blue Sq South after meteoric rise through the lower leagues) and I (for my sins) watched Millwall on occasions when I lived in London.
But BRFC is in my blood, I care passionately for the club and for you Dan, to say that I am not is way wide of the mark.

RTID

hasslem hasslem says...
12:26pm Tue 1 May 12

HighburyB&W wrote:
danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Completely disagree - I too have moved to London and live near Highbury but I haven't become an Arsenal fan just because its more convenient to go and watch them. I support Rovers and go to as many games as possible because I was brought up supporting them and have lots of great memeries doing so. Your idea of a fan seems to be more akin to the American idea of franchises and moving loyalty as and when it suits your circumstances.
highbury and cmb,
i don't think dan meant people like yourselves that are from the area and moved away....i believe he meant those say who were born and brought up in swindon and opt to support say liverpool or united. in my experience there are extenuating circumstances for adopting a club from a distance and it is usually related to the parentage of the said fan when they were kids (dr who and wayne hemmingway's kids being good examples for rovers)
.
dan, think you may need your tin hat

Road Runner Road Runner says...
1:25pm Tue 1 May 12

Who is this Dan Clough bloke ?

1973 I walked onto Ewood as a 12 year old. Walked off 7/05/2012 as a 50 year old absolutely devestated and will not return until THEY have gone.

Happy now are you Dan Clough !

Your as complicit in all of this as those who purport to uphold OUR club. You have a conscience, I would surmise as a mature adult ?

It is wrong. Full stop.

Arte et labore

HighburyB&W says...
1:45pm Tue 1 May 12

On other point Dan - if as you state you 'become a fan .....to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment.'

Why have you renewed your season ticket again?

Smacx25 says...
2:12pm Tue 1 May 12

Peope like Dan Clough are the reason Venkys are here and they will stay as long as they get money. A true Rovers fan would not allow this to continue by giving them money that will NOT get spent on the team but rather go straight into their bank account. Enjoy your prawn sandwich Dan.

Ianwhittam says...
2:14pm Tue 1 May 12

'All it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing'. What a cop out Clough, genuine lifelong fans care about all aspects of the club and extreme times call for extreme measures such as not financially supporting owners who could,nt care less for the club... you should be ashamed!

Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! says...
2:58pm Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Disagree - but if your that fanatical that you have to keep the habit regardless I will not knock you Dan.
.
But until Kean goes and Venky's sell or invest it is a better position for fans to take a stand against what has gone on in my opinion. Its the only stand we can make really to not put cash into their coffers and make it an empty ground?
.
It has just been making us miserable even thinking about Rovers this season. The atmosphere has been dull and dead and fans just want to see the back of Kean as a starting point.
.
I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice.
.
34th.....

Road Runner Road Runner says...
3:18pm Tue 1 May 12

Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! wrote:
danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Disagree - but if your that fanatical that you have to keep the habit regardless I will not knock you Dan.
.
But until Kean goes and Venky's sell or invest it is a better position for fans to take a stand against what has gone on in my opinion. Its the only stand we can make really to not put cash into their coffers and make it an empty ground?
.
It has just been making us miserable even thinking about Rovers this season. The atmosphere has been dull and dead and fans just want to see the back of Kean as a starting point.
.
I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice.
.
34th.....
I will make an analogy here Mr. Morst.

The song goes:

We shall not we shall not be moved.
We shall not we shall not be moved just like a tree that stands by the riverside we shall not be moved.

I will leave you with a verse of song written by a great man indeed, in days of great evil abounding in this world:

Come writers and critics who prop

Road Runner Road Runner says...
3:22pm Tue 1 May 12

Road Runner Road Runner wrote:
Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! wrote:
danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Disagree - but if your that fanatical that you have to keep the habit regardless I will not knock you Dan.
.
But until Kean goes and Venky's sell or invest it is a better position for fans to take a stand against what has gone on in my opinion. Its the only stand we can make really to not put cash into their coffers and make it an empty ground?
.
It has just been making us miserable even thinking about Rovers this season. The atmosphere has been dull and dead and fans just want to see the back of Kean as a starting point.
.
I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice.
.
34th.....
I will make an analogy here Mr. Morst.

The song goes:

We shall not we shall not be moved.
We shall not we shall not be moved just like a tree that stands by the riverside we shall not be moved.

I will leave you with a verse of song written by a great man indeed, in days of great evil abounding in this world:

Come writers and critics who prop
It as do it again ! I'll finish now !

Come writers and critics who prophesies with your pen
Keep your eye's wide the chance don't come again
And don't speak to soon whilst the wheels still in spin for theirs no telling who that it's naming
For the loser now will later to win
For the times they are a changing............
.........

Arte et labore

danclough says...
4:45pm Tue 1 May 12

I'll try to make my point another way. Ever met a stamp collector who doesn't collect stamps? I'm not having a go, and at no point do I state "you're not a fan" or anything childish like that.

danclough says...
4:47pm Tue 1 May 12

Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! wrote:
danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Disagree - but if your that fanatical that you have to keep the habit regardless I will not knock you Dan.
.
But until Kean goes and Venky's sell or invest it is a better position for fans to take a stand against what has gone on in my opinion. Its the only stand we can make really to not put cash into their coffers and make it an empty ground?
.
It has just been making us miserable even thinking about Rovers this season. The atmosphere has been dull and dead and fans just want to see the back of Kean as a starting point.
.
I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice.
.
34th.....
"I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice."

As Darwen reporter of the Lancashire Telegraph and a writer of a weekly fans' column I don't think I have the power to do much at all.

Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! says...
4:49pm Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! wrote:
danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Disagree - but if your that fanatical that you have to keep the habit regardless I will not knock you Dan.
.
But until Kean goes and Venky's sell or invest it is a better position for fans to take a stand against what has gone on in my opinion. Its the only stand we can make really to not put cash into their coffers and make it an empty ground?
.
It has just been making us miserable even thinking about Rovers this season. The atmosphere has been dull and dead and fans just want to see the back of Kean as a starting point.
.
I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice.
.
34th.....
"I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice."

As Darwen reporter of the Lancashire Telegraph and a writer of a weekly fans' column I don't think I have the power to do much at all.
Well times have changed for Roy Hodgson so who knows!

TrueBlue87 says...
4:50pm Tue 1 May 12

Why buy a season ticket and line their pockets? why not just attend away games next season and stop funding venkys destruction of the club. By paying your 250quid you are just keeping the cowboys here! You really think that they will be reinvesting season ticket money!? You dan clough are probably paying, in part, for a new venky chicken outlet. Wake up! It doesnt make you 'more' of a supporter by attending home games... Lets jope the people who are thinking renewing is a good idea is a very small minority.

Away with the rovers! OUT WITH VENKYS.
RTID

RoverInRotterdam says...
4:57pm Tue 1 May 12

I went to my first match at Ewood in 1969 with my Dad when i was just 7,i've had Rovers burned on my heart since that day,by the time i was 16 i was following them home and away through thick and the very many thins. Since i moved over to The Netherlands 10 years or so ago,i've flown over for the majority of home matches ( my Father uses the s.t. when i can't) and never less than half of the aways,this was until before Christmas when it started to hurt bad and sickenening me to the pit to watch just what level the parasitic owners and lying delusional manager and shyster agent (allegedely) had dragged my beloved Club down to,added to the repeated depressing flight back on a Sunday night , i came to the decision that even though it would have no real effect,i would leave my seat empty , My Father who has been a supporter since when the leagues started again after the 2nd world war had decided to do the same thing independently of me,as well as my Brother and two Nephews , all long time season Ticket holders. I and i'm sure many other fans who have no intention of giving these parasites a penny more of our hard earned money take it as a personal insult for you to suggest that we are any less passionate about our Club than you,who for all i know has only had a season ticket since you started being paid for writing about my team. To my way of thinking If you ,as a journalist on the local paper for Blackburn ,was as "passionate" as you boast of being, you would surely have done everything in your power and beyond to get an interview with the manager who was taking a big role in destroying the club you profess to be "passionate" about, Well have you ? Also you would surely have gone to the ends of the world and used every skill and contact that most even half decent journalists possess to get the elusive interview with the Looney Punes and ask the questions that every "passionate" fan wants answering, So how far have you gone? Lastly, i'm positive that a "passionate" fan who also happens to be a journalist for the same paper that called for the manager to be sacked and for the owners to be more open,would make sure that the said newspaper would follow it up,thus putting more pressure on the owners to comply with the papers request, so where was the follow up front page campaign ? Failed on all counts methinks,so please,don't come on here with your sanctimonious claims of being more passionate than the fans who have decided that they will no longer pay towards the wages of a useless manager and a majority of substandard second rate players while the parasitic owners cream in millions by selling anything that has a value. I bleed blue and white and my heart has ROVERS inscribed through it , so don,t even suggest that even one of the many,many others who take the same form of protest as I are any less "passionate because of it ......Starve the parasites of as much season ticket money and other fan based income as is possible !!!... R.T.I.D. !!!!!!!!!

danclough says...
5:08pm Tue 1 May 12

RoverInRotterdam wrote:
I went to my first match at Ewood in 1969 with my Dad when i was just 7,i've had Rovers burned on my heart since that day,by the time i was 16 i was following them home and away through thick and the very many thins. Since i moved over to The Netherlands 10 years or so ago,i've flown over for the majority of home matches ( my Father uses the s.t. when i can't) and never less than half of the aways,this was until before Christmas when it started to hurt bad and sickenening me to the pit to watch just what level the parasitic owners and lying delusional manager and shyster agent (allegedely) had dragged my beloved Club down to,added to the repeated depressing flight back on a Sunday night , i came to the decision that even though it would have no real effect,i would leave my seat empty , My Father who has been a supporter since when the leagues started again after the 2nd world war had decided to do the same thing independently of me,as well as my Brother and two Nephews , all long time season Ticket holders. I and i'm sure many other fans who have no intention of giving these parasites a penny more of our hard earned money take it as a personal insult for you to suggest that we are any less passionate about our Club than you,who for all i know has only had a season ticket since you started being paid for writing about my team. To my way of thinking If you ,as a journalist on the local paper for Blackburn ,was as "passionate" as you boast of being, you would surely have done everything in your power and beyond to get an interview with the manager who was taking a big role in destroying the club you profess to be "passionate" about, Well have you ? Also you would surely have gone to the ends of the world and used every skill and contact that most even half decent journalists possess to get the elusive interview with the Looney Punes and ask the questions that every "passionate" fan wants answering, So how far have you gone? Lastly, i'm positive that a "passionate" fan who also happens to be a journalist for the same paper that called for the manager to be sacked and for the owners to be more open,would make sure that the said newspaper would follow it up,thus putting more pressure on the owners to comply with the papers request, so where was the follow up front page campaign ? Failed on all counts methinks,so please,don't come on here with your sanctimonious claims of being more passionate than the fans who have decided that they will no longer pay towards the wages of a useless manager and a majority of substandard second rate players while the parasitic owners cream in millions by selling anything that has a value. I bleed blue and white and my heart has ROVERS inscribed through it , so don,t even suggest that even one of the many,many others who take the same form of protest as I are any less "passionate because of it ......Starve the parasites of as much season ticket money and other fan based income as is possible !!!... R.T.I.D. !!!!!!!!!
I don't claim to be any more passionate than anybody else.

And for the record I have had a season ticket since my first one was bought for me as a present in 1999 and held one ever since, except for a couple of years while I was away at university. Went to my first game in 1994, aged seven.

Yes I am a journalist but I don't know what magical powers you expect me to use to secure an interview with the Raos, Mrs D, or Steve Kean.
My job is not to write about Blackburn Rovers - I merely write a weekly column.

Sherwoodforest says...
5:21pm Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
I'll try to make my point another way. Ever met a stamp collector who doesn't collect stamps? I'm not having a go, and at no point do I state "you're not a fan" or anything childish like that.
stamp collector, with no stamps?, lol i like the analogy.

Im not into all this true fan/not true fan nonsense, if you want to renew then fine. if you dont want to renew then thats fine too.

At the end of the day, we are all individuals and the club means a hell of a lot to ALL of us, no matter what anyones opinions are regarding as to what quantify's a true supporter.

Morst is right you know, you could of used your contacts to dig deep and made a name for yourself, you must have ambitions?

Road Runner Road Runner says...
5:56pm Tue 1 May 12

I just think if you are passionate about a football team, you can’t just stop going.

Quoted above by Dan Clough.

So, let us delve further into this and particular 'Passionate' and all of it's connotations ?

I'll use an analogy to express my feelings and meanings of 'passionate'

When you acquire a passion, as is usual this manifests itself into an unconditional love, along with an intrinsic attachment to that particular 'passion', and is is much the case, remains with you for life. Thus it could be said that one will devote oneself to caring and be respectful of this 'passion' in it's highest degree ?

In return one hopes and aspires to the reciprocation of your 'passion' ?

Along the way we bump and grind but, always return to the 'passion' we have and behold because what begins as a 'passion' is therefore always omnipresent.

So, as time goes along we learn to share this 'passion' and a trust develops that we can all still enjoy because we know of the value that this brings.

Naturally, tests are an integral part of testing this 'passion and so we begin the process of assessment ?

In this context we now find ourselves in direct competition with a rival who as a total different perspective in how our 'passion' is treated ?

Like all philanderers who take a liking to a 'passion' the course of wooing is plausible, careful, along with a cunning that isn't visible to a 'passionate' person who for nigh on 40 years as enjoyed a blissful, eventful relationship.

Now, we find ourselves in a very difficult situation of distinguishing what is becoming a somewhat 'perverse passion'

Witnessing at first hand the wrecking ball that as been taken to our 'passion' for non other reason than to redefine that which was successful, although a streaming of the 'passion' was acknowledged by all but, the foundations could very well be built on for further development ?

The unsuspecting 'passion' now finds itself in a tug of war between 'passionless' and 'passionate' people, who warned and enquired as to why they, after promises not honored, are destroying an heritage that as served so well ?

Like having your hands tied behind your back attempting to fight for your 'passion' you begin to realize that your losing this 'passion' through manipulation and are asked that you trade this off for a new 'passion' albeit right from the outset the deceit, lies and falsehoods have eventually surfaced and you see just what these ignoble philanders have created ?

Passion is a great thing to have in one's life and we are fortunate if we can count on one hand, lifelong passions but, to be afraid to let go of the passion is pure folly. A passion remains, particularly in this situation. But, in persisting that all is well is disrespectful to your 'passion' and does nothing to serve it while others play at it to the detriment of all concerned.

You sir, are a rotter and a cad who is complicit in this charade whilst indulging in a perverse 'passion' under the name of:

'PASSION'

I now know full well just what THEY meant when they deemed our 'PASSION" to be their BABY !

As is being proved day in day out.

I wish no folk any ill who choose to attend OUR beloved BRFC and hope that when all this as reached a conclusion that this founder member of the Football League is standing strong for all those who support her ?

I await with baited breath.

Arte et labore

Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! says...
7:16pm Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! wrote:
danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
Disagree - but if your that fanatical that you have to keep the habit regardless I will not knock you Dan.
.
But until Kean goes and Venky's sell or invest it is a better position for fans to take a stand against what has gone on in my opinion. Its the only stand we can make really to not put cash into their coffers and make it an empty ground?
.
It has just been making us miserable even thinking about Rovers this season. The atmosphere has been dull and dead and fans just want to see the back of Kean as a starting point.
.
I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice.
.
34th.....
"I think you could have made an effort in your position in the media. But its your choice."

As Darwen reporter of the Lancashire Telegraph and a writer of a weekly fans' column I don't think I have the power to do much at all.
Well you have a readership through paper sales and online of how many thousands?
.
I notice you don't remember the days in the old div 2 and 3. Perhaps if you did you would realise fully what is being thrown away by this manager and owners and say something about standing up to them when all other reasonable attempts by fans have got nowhere?
.
How are you going to protest about it Dan? - or are you just another John Cleese in The Holy Grail - OK you b'stards cut another limb off come on , come on!
.
34th....

bring back the good old days says...
7:27pm Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
RoverInRotterdam wrote:
I went to my first match at Ewood in 1969 with my Dad when i was just 7,i've had Rovers burned on my heart since that day,by the time i was 16 i was following them home and away through thick and the very many thins. Since i moved over to The Netherlands 10 years or so ago,i've flown over for the majority of home matches ( my Father uses the s.t. when i can't) and never less than half of the aways,this was until before Christmas when it started to hurt bad and sickenening me to the pit to watch just what level the parasitic owners and lying delusional manager and shyster agent (allegedely) had dragged my beloved Club down to,added to the repeated depressing flight back on a Sunday night , i came to the decision that even though it would have no real effect,i would leave my seat empty , My Father who has been a supporter since when the leagues started again after the 2nd world war had decided to do the same thing independently of me,as well as my Brother and two Nephews , all long time season Ticket holders. I and i'm sure many other fans who have no intention of giving these parasites a penny more of our hard earned money take it as a personal insult for you to suggest that we are any less passionate about our Club than you,who for all i know has only had a season ticket since you started being paid for writing about my team. To my way of thinking If you ,as a journalist on the local paper for Blackburn ,was as "passionate" as you boast of being, you would surely have done everything in your power and beyond to get an interview with the manager who was taking a big role in destroying the club you profess to be "passionate" about, Well have you ? Also you would surely have gone to the ends of the world and used every skill and contact that most even half decent journalists possess to get the elusive interview with the Looney Punes and ask the questions that every "passionate" fan wants answering, So how far have you gone? Lastly, i'm positive that a "passionate" fan who also happens to be a journalist for the same paper that called for the manager to be sacked and for the owners to be more open,would make sure that the said newspaper would follow it up,thus putting more pressure on the owners to comply with the papers request, so where was the follow up front page campaign ? Failed on all counts methinks,so please,don't come on here with your sanctimonious claims of being more passionate than the fans who have decided that they will no longer pay towards the wages of a useless manager and a majority of substandard second rate players while the parasitic owners cream in millions by selling anything that has a value. I bleed blue and white and my heart has ROVERS inscribed through it , so don,t even suggest that even one of the many,many others who take the same form of protest as I are any less "passionate because of it ......Starve the parasites of as much season ticket money and other fan based income as is possible !!!... R.T.I.D. !!!!!!!!!
I don't claim to be any more passionate than anybody else.

And for the record I have had a season ticket since my first one was bought for me as a present in 1999 and held one ever since, except for a couple of years while I was away at university. Went to my first game in 1994, aged seven.

Yes I am a journalist but I don't know what magical powers you expect me to use to secure an interview with the Raos, Mrs D, or Steve Kean.
My job is not to write about Blackburn Rovers - I merely write a weekly column.
Dan, the point is that undeniably Venkys have ruined this club and torn its heart out.
This you must agree with.

In all of this time many, many people (plenty of prominence)have tried to get some sort of response from them in explaining what they are doing.
The result is 0.
This tells me personally all I need to know about them.
They don't give a fig.
Now I am a very fair minded person and even though I wondered right from the off, why they had bought us I couldn't for the life of me think of a clear reason.
IF, their intentions were honourable and were for the good of BRFC there is no money to be made, in fact plenty to lose.
These are business people with no connection to Blackburn.
Now, do you see their 18 months in charge as honourable?
If your answer is no, then that leaves only one reason why they are here.
I have never paid to be insulted in my life and I sure as hell am not going to start now.
If that means walking away from Venkys FC, until BRFC is released back to the true guardians (the supporters) so be it.

merlinrabbit says...
7:29pm Tue 1 May 12

If you didnt have a season ticket, presumably you wouldnt be able to write your weekly column? Renewing or not is nothing to do with whether you are a passionate fan. Iv been going down to Ewood since the 1970s. Its killed me this time not to renew my ticket but I am not being entertained, I dont feel passion any more, I feel complete frustration and anger and helplessness. Im sick of it and sick of not having a voice. Not renewing is the only way I have of letting them know enough is enough otherwise Venkys must think we are a town of fools

bring back the good old days says...
7:40pm Tue 1 May 12

Road Runner Road Runner wrote:
I just think if you are passionate about a football team, you can’t just stop going.

Quoted above by Dan Clough.

So, let us delve further into this and particular 'Passionate' and all of it's connotations ?

I'll use an analogy to express my feelings and meanings of 'passionate'

When you acquire a passion, as is usual this manifests itself into an unconditional love, along with an intrinsic attachment to that particular 'passion', and is is much the case, remains with you for life. Thus it could be said that one will devote oneself to caring and be respectful of this 'passion' in it's highest degree ?

In return one hopes and aspires to the reciprocation of your 'passion' ?

Along the way we bump and grind but, always return to the 'passion' we have and behold because what begins as a 'passion' is therefore always omnipresent.

So, as time goes along we learn to share this 'passion' and a trust develops that we can all still enjoy because we know of the value that this brings.

Naturally, tests are an integral part of testing this 'passion and so we begin the process of assessment ?

In this context we now find ourselves in direct competition with a rival who as a total different perspective in how our 'passion' is treated ?

Like all philanderers who take a liking to a 'passion' the course of wooing is plausible, careful, along with a cunning that isn't visible to a 'passionate' person who for nigh on 40 years as enjoyed a blissful, eventful relationship.

Now, we find ourselves in a very difficult situation of distinguishing what is becoming a somewhat 'perverse passion'

Witnessing at first hand the wrecking ball that as been taken to our 'passion' for non other reason than to redefine that which was successful, although a streaming of the 'passion' was acknowledged by all but, the foundations could very well be built on for further development ?

The unsuspecting 'passion' now finds itself in a tug of war between 'passionless' and 'passionate' people, who warned and enquired as to why they, after promises not honored, are destroying an heritage that as served so well ?

Like having your hands tied behind your back attempting to fight for your 'passion' you begin to realize that your losing this 'passion' through manipulation and are asked that you trade this off for a new 'passion' albeit right from the outset the deceit, lies and falsehoods have eventually surfaced and you see just what these ignoble philanders have created ?

Passion is a great thing to have in one's life and we are fortunate if we can count on one hand, lifelong passions but, to be afraid to let go of the passion is pure folly. A passion remains, particularly in this situation. But, in persisting that all is well is disrespectful to your 'passion' and does nothing to serve it while others play at it to the detriment of all concerned.

You sir, are a rotter and a cad who is complicit in this charade whilst indulging in a perverse 'passion' under the name of:

'PASSION'

I now know full well just what THEY meant when they deemed our 'PASSION" to be their BABY !

As is being proved day in day out.

I wish no folk any ill who choose to attend OUR beloved BRFC and hope that when all this as reached a conclusion that this founder member of the Football League is standing strong for all those who support her ?

I await with baited breath.

Arte et labore
As you allude to Road runner: Passion, uncontrolled, can make you blind (to reality).

Without any disrespect to those that claim to be truer supporters because they are just going to keep on going because they are better than the next man, I would suggest you search real deep and be clear that this is not really some uncontrolled force of habit in the guise of passion.

You can be sure that if and when any sort of question was put to JA re; unhappy support, he will have 'educated' them habit this undying 'loyalty'.

In this case though he has been a little way off the mark.
Maybe he was confusing us with Magpie fans.! (But of course they are more 'loyal')

HighburyB&W says...
8:38pm Tue 1 May 12

danclough wrote:
I'll try to make my point another way. Ever met a stamp collector who doesn't collect stamps? I'm not having a go, and at no point do I state "you're not a fan" or anything childish like that.
Dan - Firstly thanks for responding to the posts. Also don't want to get involved in 'I'm more of a fan than you are...'
But you can't have if both ways:
- if you are a passionate fan of Rovers I can't believe you think it is a good thing to give money to the people who are ripping the heart out of the club
- if you are a football fan then the northwest has everything to offer in terms of size and quality from Darwen to Man Utd within 30 miles so why stick with a team like Rovers?

petergray says...
11:07pm Tue 1 May 12

Next monday night.

A night for Passion.

Real good passion.

Bring it on. .

RTID2012 says...
6:51am Wed 2 May 12

Empty seats in a ground after relegation is nothing new, a few £250's missing is a drop in the ocean compared to the millions in lost revenue by losing premier league status. So if you think by not going you are hitting them in the pocket to any great degree or are making a visual protest that will be noticed by the rest of football you are misguided. If you aren't renewing because you've lost the heart for a fight then fair enough but don't dress it up as a protest. We will just be adjudged by others as plastic fans again.

I'll be renewing this year not because I'm any more loyal or a better fan than anyone else but because I want to be there to cheer on my team - whoevers wearing the shirt - and show that just because we are down we aren't necessarily out.

Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! says...
7:12am Wed 2 May 12

petergray wrote:
Next monday night.

A night for Passion.

Real good passion.

Bring it on. .
In the words of the film Independence Day (I think?)...
.
"We Will Not Go Quietly Into The Night"
.
Our ST's will not be renewed until Kean is sacked and Venkys sell or invest. What has gone on in the last 18 months is beyond comprehension and I simply have to make a stand and can't understand Rovers fans who don't although I will not knock them.
.
We Want Venkys Out - I can hear it bouncing round Ewood now!
.
34th....

hastings1066 says...
8:43am Wed 2 May 12

danclough wrote:
You miss my point. What I am saying is surely the reason people become a fan of any sporting club is to go and watch them as a hobby for entertainment. This is why I have never understood those who support clubs hundreds or even thousands of miles from where they live.
i live in hastings and try to get to the london venues,so obviously YOU dont understand!!!!!!

Vikings Rover says...
9:04am Wed 2 May 12

Dan, you've got it wrong, it makes no long term sense to give financial support to Venky's. We need to take every action possible to damage their cash flow to the point whereby they have to continue to inject their own capital to keep the company afloat. Income from sales must be stopped as far as possible by not renewing season tickets, no purchase of matchday progs, no pie and a pint income, no scratch cards, no weekly draw money, and stopping buying merchandise from club shop. Do everything possible to stop all income!! Put the squeeze on Venky's till their pips squeak!!!!

Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! says...
9:17am Wed 2 May 12

Vikings Rover wrote:
Dan, you've got it wrong, it makes no long term sense to give financial support to Venky's. We need to take every action possible to damage their cash flow to the point whereby they have to continue to inject their own capital to keep the company afloat. Income from sales must be stopped as far as possible by not renewing season tickets, no purchase of matchday progs, no pie and a pint income, no scratch cards, no weekly draw money, and stopping buying merchandise from club shop. Do everything possible to stop all income!! Put the squeeze on Venky's till their pips squeak!!!!
Correct - Its the only way.
.
But buy one last cheap ticket for Monday night live on TV and lets show the World what the entire community thinks of Kean and Venkys!
.
34th....

RoverInRotterdam says...
10:48am Wed 2 May 12

danclough wrote:
RoverInRotterdam wrote:
I went to my first match at Ewood in 1969 with my Dad when i was just 7,i've had Rovers burned on my heart since that day,by the time i was 16 i was following them home and away through thick and the very many thins. Since i moved over to The Netherlands 10 years or so ago,i've flown over for the majority of home matches ( my Father uses the s.t. when i can't) and never less than half of the aways,this was until before Christmas when it started to hurt bad and sickenening me to the pit to watch just what level the parasitic owners and lying delusional manager and shyster agent (allegedely) had dragged my beloved Club down to,added to the repeated depressing flight back on a Sunday night , i came to the decision that even though it would have no real effect,i would leave my seat empty , My Father who has been a supporter since when the leagues started again after the 2nd world war had decided to do the same thing independently of me,as well as my Brother and two Nephews , all long time season Ticket holders. I and i'm sure many other fans who have no intention of giving these parasites a penny more of our hard earned money take it as a personal insult for you to suggest that we are any less passionate about our Club than you,who for all i know has only had a season ticket since you started being paid for writing about my team. To my way of thinking If you ,as a journalist on the local paper for Blackburn ,was as "passionate" as you boast of being, you would surely have done everything in your power and beyond to get an interview with the manager who was taking a big role in destroying the club you profess to be "passionate" about, Well have you ? Also you would surely have gone to the ends of the world and used every skill and contact that most even half decent journalists possess to get the elusive interview with the Looney Punes and ask the questions that every "passionate" fan wants answering, So how far have you gone? Lastly, i'm positive that a "passionate" fan who also happens to be a journalist for the same paper that called for the manager to be sacked and for the owners to be more open,would make sure that the said newspaper would follow it up,thus putting more pressure on the owners to comply with the papers request, so where was the follow up front page campaign ? Failed on all counts methinks,so please,don't come on here with your sanctimonious claims of being more passionate than the fans who have decided that they will no longer pay towards the wages of a useless manager and a majority of substandard second rate players while the parasitic owners cream in millions by selling anything that has a value. I bleed blue and white and my heart has ROVERS inscribed through it , so don,t even suggest that even one of the many,many others who take the same form of protest as I are any less "passionate because of it ......Starve the parasites of as much season ticket money and other fan based income as is possible !!!... R.T.I.D. !!!!!!!!!
I don't claim to be any more passionate than anybody else.

And for the record I have had a season ticket since my first one was bought for me as a present in 1999 and held one ever since, except for a couple of years while I was away at university. Went to my first game in 1994, aged seven.

Yes I am a journalist but I don't know what magical powers you expect me to use to secure an interview with the Raos, Mrs D, or Steve Kean.
My job is not to write about Blackburn Rovers - I merely write a weekly column.
I guess that means you've done nothing then . "magical powers?" is that what you think investigative journalism consists of ? It's no wonder that you've got no-where at all with a pathetic belief such as that ,perhaps that attitude also explains why your Bristol city supporting colleague Mr Cryer has got no-where either. have you been in touch with any of the removed directors or ex-employees of the club in your search for what has really been going on behind the curtain of deceipt which descended over Ewood when the Club was sold to such unscrupulous people as the venkys ? I am certainly no journalist myself but surely yet another of option would have been to try to make contact with a suitable journalist working for example at The India Times ? I'm pretty sure that he/she could contacts who could help to gain an interview with the absent owners ,or have you tried thied these allready? I feel sure you have by the way, as i think you should seriously consider a career change if you haven't tried such elementary ideas. Also, you haven't replied on the qustion as to why The Telgraph never followed up on its front page call for the "delusional one" to be removed as manager,surely both you and Mr Cryer have been pushing continuously for it since ? otherwise why give the article front page prominence in the first place. As a penultimate question ,why did The Telegraph not immediately spring to the defence of the Blackburn supporters when they were under attack from an obvious controlled and biased media,when they were sorely in need of such backing ? and finally ,what roughly was in the infamous legal letter from a certain agent that so scared The Telegraph and it's journalists ? I'm sure that i'm not alone in my interest in the answers to the above points.......R.T.I.D
.....

Paul E says...
1:01pm Wed 2 May 12

Sorry to say I will not re-new my season ticket, Not whilst Venkys and SK are at the club. All you are doing is feeding cash into both of their pockets.

The Sports journalists on TV, Red Tops and Radio seem to Love SK, Why? what do they know that we dont.

I do feel that our local journalists being the telegraph, radio Lancashire and other outlets could have done a lot more to defend the Rover fans. They should have been more vocal, they should have got the proper story out.

Someone or something has scared them off.

givet82 says...
2:08pm Wed 2 May 12

The atmospere at my club has gone horrible and nasty,,im not going for this reason alone,,ive watched rovers through thick and thin and watched us get promoted twice to the top tier but always enjoyed it even when we was in the lower leagues....Thanks to venky's,kean and worst of all anderson they have destroyed that,it will never be forgotton

RoverInRotterdam says...
2:18pm Wed 2 May 12

Paul E wrote:
Sorry to say I will not re-new my season ticket, Not whilst Venkys and SK are at the club. All you are doing is feeding cash into both of their pockets.

The Sports journalists on TV, Red Tops and Radio seem to Love SK, Why? what do they know that we dont.

I do feel that our local journalists being the telegraph, radio Lancashire and other outlets could have done a lot more to defend the Rover fans. They should have been more vocal, they should have got the proper story out.

Someone or something has scared them off.
I agree totally,they must surely wield enormous power accross the whole media world,although to be honest if i was a journalist, i would have seen this as a direct threat to my freedom to report the truth and done everything in my power to break through it and find out just who was controlling the whole campaign and by what methods,but i guess all the journalists with 'balls' passed away with the late great Peter White,a man of honour who i had several fascinating conversations with many moons ago... He was the sort of man who wouldn't have rested until he found and published the real facts behind the truly dispicable reign of the whole mob of 'parasites' tearing apart HIS and our club ..Now theres a journalist who wouldn't have been silenced...by anyone.... R.T.I.D. !!!!

RoverInRotterdam says...
11:33pm Thu 3 May 12

Censorship

Roverthere says...
1:17pm Mon 7 May 12

As a season ticket holder, I cannot accept self destruction. If their is a logical reason for the owners action, tell the fans and be upfront. Don't spout BS and drival. Until some sense or an logical expanation comes from the owners, I will not renew. Self inflicted.

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