Blackburn Rovers blog: Jack would want a united Rovers

3:49pm Thursday 18th August 2011 in Andy Cryer's Blackburn Rovers blog Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

Blackburn Rovers blog: Jack would want a united Rovers Blackburn Rovers blog: Jack would want a united Rovers

IT would be easy for me to use this column as a rant about how shockingly unprepared Blackburn Rovers’ squad was for the start of the Premier League season on Saturday.

I could ask why owners Venky’s have collected more than £20million in transfer fees and yet spent just in the region of £5m thus far this summer – having previously vowed to end the club’s selling days.

I could ask why every single transfer, in and out of the club, seems to become a farce of epic proportions and why there is so little experience around the club to help the inexperienced owners along the way.

Some things though are more important than that.

These issues will still need to be addressed if nothing has changed before the end of the transfer window but, for now, a club great deserves all our attention.

Yesterday marked the 11th year since Jack Walker’s death and just a glance around Ewood for Saturday’s Premier League opener should remind everyone of the impact he made on the club and the town.

This was a man who pumped his own money into his beloved Rovers to pull off a rags to riches fairytale, ultimately culminating in that incredible afternoon at Anfield when they lifted the Premier League title in 1995.

Uncle Jack will never and should never be forgotten. It was his money that created the state-of-the-art Ewood Park, his money that created Rovers’ now flourishing academy and his money that saw Rovers’ fans dreams come true.

It wasn’t his money that brought about these glory days though. It was his passion, belief and determination to get Blackburn Rovers to the very top.

Those fortunate to have witnessed those days got the chance to see the likes of Alan Shearer, Tim Flowers, Colin Hendry and Tim Sherwood grace the Rovers’ shirt.

Through their glory days, ‘Uncle Jack’ made sure Rovers retained that family touch. Everyone was welcome and that is not always prevalent at some clubs these days.

So what would ‘Rovers’ greatest ever supporter’ make of what was happening at Ewood Park today?

I think he would just be desperate for the new owners to succeed.

Football is a different beast to the game that Jack Walker was involved in, and you can imagine him telling some of these power-crazy players and agents exactly where to go.

I’m sure he will be watching over Ewood wanting a united, successful and stable club and would applaud the decisions by Venky’s to put a charity on the front of this season’s shirts and to honour Ronnie Clayton by renaming the Blackburn End.

It would be unfair to expect Venky’s to live up to Jack Walker’s legacy, in fact it would be impossible. But they do have a duty to make sure they respect his memory by running the club on a stable footing.

Blackburn Rovers need to be a Premier League football club and you get the feeling the next fortnight will have a huge bearing on what the new Venky’s era really has in store.

See today's Lancashire Telegraph's newspaper for the Blackburn Rovers jury.

Comments (11)

4:07pm Thu 18 Aug 11

a_true_blue says...

Andy, You say "I could ask "I could ask" I say "why don't you" and get some answers as to what the hell is going on at Ewood? Uncle would like that.
Andy, You say "I could ask "I could ask" I say "why don't you" and get some answers as to what the hell is going on at Ewood? Uncle would like that. a_true_blue

5:19pm Thu 18 Aug 11

True-Blue-84 says...

About time somebody mentioned it.

People say give Venkys and Kean time, others say they have had enough. Everybodys perception of time is different.

For those sat in the stands, we are still giving them time. For those who aren't - shame on you.
About time somebody mentioned it. People say give Venkys and Kean time, others say they have had enough. Everybodys perception of time is different. For those sat in the stands, we are still giving them time. For those who aren't - shame on you. True-Blue-84

5:48pm Thu 18 Aug 11

kazz says...

Yeah you are right about being united. The owners should unite with the fans and listen to the fans ffs.
Yeah you are right about being united. The owners should unite with the fans and listen to the fans ffs. kazz

6:37pm Thu 18 Aug 11

petemcglinn says...

Do's anyone know if Venkys are in England ? Heard a rumour that they are in southport , talking to a premiership manager and it's not Steve kean.


Coyb
Do's anyone know if Venkys are in England ? Heard a rumour that they are in southport , talking to a premiership manager and it's not Steve kean. Coyb petemcglinn

6:45pm Thu 18 Aug 11

zappedagain says...

Andy, the areas where you say "I could ask" are exactly the areas that need asking.
Please ask them as soon as possible & see if you can get some answers.
This is what all Rovers fans are crying out for, as communication from club to fans has declined massiveley since Williams was forced out.

The fact, as you correctly highlight, that Rovers were shockingly under-prepared for the start of the season, needs to be underlined.
Venkys & Kean need to pull their fingers out. The great Jack Walker would never have put up with the nonsense seen so far.
Andy, the areas where you say "I could ask" are exactly the areas that need asking. Please ask them as soon as possible & see if you can get some answers. This is what all Rovers fans are crying out for, as communication from club to fans has declined massiveley since Williams was forced out. The fact, as you correctly highlight, that Rovers were shockingly under-prepared for the start of the season, needs to be underlined. Venkys & Kean need to pull their fingers out. The great Jack Walker would never have put up with the nonsense seen so far. zappedagain

6:57pm Thu 18 Aug 11

blue_and_white says...

Another great article. You seem to get a bit of stick on here Andy but I think its great that unlike your predecessor there is now a proper Rovers fan writing about Rovers in the LET.

And for the other posters demanding an immediate Sherlock Holmes act:
"These issues will still need to be addressed if nothing has changed before the end of the transfer window but, for now, a club great deserves all our attention."
Another great article. You seem to get a bit of stick on here Andy but I think its great that unlike your predecessor there is now a proper Rovers fan writing about Rovers in the LET. And for the other posters demanding an immediate Sherlock Holmes act: "These issues will still need to be addressed if nothing has changed before the end of the transfer window but, for now, a club great deserves all our attention." blue_and_white

8:59pm Thu 18 Aug 11

True Rover, Norway says...

petemcglinn wrote:
Do's anyone know if Venkys are in England ? Heard a rumour that they are in southport , talking to a premiership manager and it's not Steve kean. Coyb
Could you please confirm this? Who is this figure?
[quote][p][bold]petemcglinn[/bold] wrote: Do's anyone know if Venkys are in England ? Heard a rumour that they are in southport , talking to a premiership manager and it's not Steve kean. Coyb[/p][/quote]Could you please confirm this? Who is this figure? True Rover, Norway

9:48pm Thu 18 Aug 11

petemcglinn says...

True Rover, Norway wrote:
petemcglinn wrote:
Do's anyone know if Venkys are in England ? Heard a rumour that they are in southport , talking to a premiership manager and it's not Steve kean. Coyb
Could you please confirm this? Who is this figure?
Rumour has it that it another premiership manager in north west of England. May have been talking about managers job, or players ? Or just coincidentally been in the same hotel at the same time, but do you believe in coincidences. The rumour allegedly came from a national news paper reporter. Time will tell I suppose


Coyb
[quote][p][bold]True Rover, Norway[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]petemcglinn[/bold] wrote: Do's anyone know if Venkys are in England ? Heard a rumour that they are in southport , talking to a premiership manager and it's not Steve kean. Coyb[/p][/quote]Could you please confirm this? Who is this figure?[/p][/quote]Rumour has it that it another premiership manager in north west of England. May have been talking about managers job, or players ? Or just coincidentally been in the same hotel at the same time, but do you believe in coincidences. The rumour allegedly came from a national news paper reporter. Time will tell I suppose Coyb petemcglinn

10:50pm Thu 18 Aug 11

kazz says...

Its alan shearer
Its alan shearer kazz

6:14am Sat 20 Aug 11

Ianwhittam says...

Jack Walker should not be mentioned in the same line as the venkys. Shame on you Mr Cryer. Jack literally put everything into Rovers a team he genuinely loved, supported by fans he could easily relate to. All the questions you talk about in your ''I could ask'' speech, should have been asked weeks ago. Jack Walker would want to see a united Rovers; but more than that he would be standing beside the true supporters of Rovers in fighting to save the club.
Jack Walker should not be mentioned in the same line as the venkys. Shame on you Mr Cryer. Jack literally put everything into Rovers a team he genuinely loved, supported by fans he could easily relate to. All the questions you talk about in your ''I could ask'' speech, should have been asked weeks ago. Jack Walker would want to see a united Rovers; but more than that he would be standing beside the true supporters of Rovers in fighting to save the club. Ianwhittam

9:11am Tue 23 Aug 11

blueette says...

It would be easy for me to use this comment box to ask why Andy Cryer was so shockingly unprepared for the season.
I could ask why Andy was writing: "whisper it quietly but the squad which begins this season could be stronger than the one which finished last" just days before the Wolves game
So, having had Kalinic on the plane to Hong Kong, Rovers in for a Romanian who had actually signed for another club and having linked the club with every no-mark waster every seedy agent in Europe has pitched up with, how can Andy re-ingratiate himself with the few fans who take the LT seriously?
I know, an article about Uncle Jack.Never met him or spoke to him but as long as its fawning and sycophantic, that will grab em!
That way some numpties might even think I'm a Rovers supporter!
It would be easy for me to use this comment box to ask why Andy Cryer was so shockingly unprepared for the season. I could ask why Andy was writing: "whisper it quietly but the squad which begins this season could be stronger than the one which finished last" just days before the Wolves game So, having had Kalinic on the plane to Hong Kong, Rovers in for a Romanian who had actually signed for another club and having linked the club with every no-mark waster every seedy agent in Europe has pitched up with, how can Andy re-ingratiate himself with the few fans who take the LT seriously? I know, an article about Uncle Jack.Never met him or spoke to him but as long as its fawning and sycophantic, that will grab em! That way some numpties might even think I'm a Rovers supporter! blueette

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