Blackburn Rovers Blog: It’ll take time to fall back in love at Ewood (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Spot-on comments Andy....especially the last couple of paragraphs. We can at last start to 'feel' that the club is going in the right direction but we really need the results to go with that feeling and enforce it. The new half-season ticket offer will help but Venkys have a lot of ground to make up before the fans can even begin to start thinking about trusting them with our club. Bon Chance though for HB and his growing army of fans.

Well its simples as they say....big money signings, big names, big named Manager, Champions League football, Indias finest players, hounor and respect of the great Jack Walker and his legacy of HIS club....NONE of the above followed regardless of Jordan Rhodes signing, in the prem league that is not a big money signing....and Mr Cryer may I remind you, had Steve Kean not walked, he would, today, still be BRFC manager and that I am sure.
There is only one resoloution to this situation, Venkys sell up!

Well its simples as they say....big money signings, big names, big named Manager, Champions League football, Indias finest players, hounor and respect of the great Jack Walker and his legacy of HIS club....NONE of the above followed regardless of Jordan Rhodes signing, in the prem league that is not a big money signing....and Mr Cryer may I remind you, had Steve Kean not walked, he would, today, still be BRFC manager and that I am sure.
There is only one resoloution to this situation, Venkys sell up!

............." Many still don’t trust their poultry giant owners - for obvious reasons - and it will take them a lot of time to win some back. "
.
My feelings entirely Mr Cryer.
.
For me, Venkys have done too much damage in such a short space of time and I for one will not forget the goings on of the past two years in a hurry.
It's all right saying Kean's gone, look to the future now, but whilst these people, who have been less than honest IMO, are at the club, I will always be suspicious of their motives.

Venky's could start by saying sorry, then explaining some of their more bizzare decisions like sacking Sam, John Willliams etc, appointing Kean then sticking with him through thin and thinner, mass play sales and poor replacements, ignoring the concerns of the fans and why every decision takes so bloody long.

The club mut have a huge database of ST holders both past and present who have bought and who have stayed away, also a list of the walk on supporters, why do they not write to them all askng for their thoughts?

I renewed my ST when Kean left, having stayed away since last December and to be honest I currently feel I have wasted my money, not because I don't back Berg I do, but because after 40 years of watching Rovers, in my 9 months absence I have lost the love for the club, each tie I visit Ewood it is a bit of an effort and I am already thinking about giving it a miss next season. Venky's have drained the club of its heritage and tradition and have drained this supporter of his enthusiasm. Indeed they have a lot to do to and I don't belivve they are the people to do it.

For the first time in years I actually enjoyed watching a Rovers game on Saturday. The way Berg want's us to play is how Blackburn Rovers should play and have traditionally played. I understand many are still disillusioned with the club but try getting down to the next home game and slowly but surely you and all of us will fall back in love with the club. Venky's are not going anywhere so lets all get back down Ewood to cheer on Berg and the boys.. remember the clubs fans are its real beating heart, so lets give it its heart back!!

Only1Garner wrote:
Venky's could start by saying sorry, then explaining some of their more bizzare decisions like sacking Sam, John Willliams etc, appointing Kean then sticking with him through thin and thinner, mass play sales and poor replacements, ignoring the concerns of the fans and why every decision takes so bloody long.

The club mut have a huge database of ST holders both past and present who have bought and who have stayed away, also a list of the walk on supporters, why do they not write to them all askng for their thoughts?

I renewed my ST when Kean left, having stayed away since last December and to be honest I currently feel I have wasted my money, not because I don't back Berg I do, but because after 40 years of watching Rovers, in my 9 months absence I have lost the love for the club, each tie I visit Ewood it is a bit of an effort and I am already thinking about giving it a miss next season. Venky's have drained the club of its heritage and tradition and have drained this supporter of his enthusiasm. Indeed they have a lot to do to and I don't belivve they are the people to do it.

Good post Mr Garner, and there are hundreds if not thousands out there who feel exactly the same way.

re; attendances I don't get own 2 Ewood ,due 2 working at the weekends.I went to the Watford game...........and it was dire..........no atmosphere........at Ewood There were ...........loads of MT seats in the posh stand and not much vocal support....from anywhere.Went 2 the Birmingham game,and game was a vast improvement......the Riverside was rocking...........an
d quite full.But the posh-stand again sparsely populated and finally............ that's a concern ££££££........
?.Lets get EWOOD loud n proud once gain.....COYB......o
ut with the chicken murderers

I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

Relegation under any regime would have meant attendances of 16,000 maximum, at best we have around 20,000 home fans. A couple of hundred boycotted the matches and a couple of thousand couldn't stand the miserable atmosphere anymore. Saturday showed a marked improvement in the play and a massive improvement in the atmosphere, hopefully the couple of thousand die-hard fans will return soon.

I understand the post about it being an effort to go to matches, feel very similar, but will try to make as many matches as possible from 900 miles away.

i was a season ticket holder for 30 years got **** off like most and really missed going the first few game but since not going dont really fancy it or afford to go i went to the wolves game and thought what a waste of money . all i can say is if there is some cheap tickets i might look in but other than that i can see me affording 20 plus quid to watch a football game its a bit differant when you pay up front for a season ticket you dont feel it as much .

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

I think they should commumicate with the fans and be honest as to where they see the club going in the next two or three years.
Explain how they hope to achieve their aims and provide some proper financial backing (not selling players to buy others ) as they promised they would do.

Only 1 garner- write to the fans for their views- futile
I wrote to shabby weeks ago- guess what- no reply!

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

Showing their presence at the club and actually communicating with the fans and giving us some credible explanations as to what the hell as been going on would be a start

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

The distrust comes from the club not showing or doing what normal clubs do ,

Comunicate to the fans, can the Venkys themselves not comunicate to us directly through the LT on a weekly basis?

Show the yearly audit results!

Still a long long way to go before the fans will trust the Venkys.

Lancs - pensioner wrote:

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

The distrust comes from the club not showing or doing what normal clubs do ,

Comunicate to the fans, can the Venkys themselves not comunicate to us directly through the LT on a weekly basis?

Show the yearly audit results!

Still a long long way to go before the fans will trust the Venkys.

Spot on Lancs. I've gone back but can't believe those who call for everyone to return irrespecive of what Venkeys have done.
Lots have stayed away for there own good reasons and I think Andy Cryer has hit the nail on the head with his blog today.
Strangely, there are very few comments on this thread from the usual commenters. Perhaps Cryer has been a little bit ' negative ' for some, but truthfull nontheless.

Tired of this blaming owners ****,, U waited till last week, nobody turned up so start blaming owners again to save HB's arrse...
How many owners r being at the team always!!! ?? huh??
the thing is BB crowd wanna see only Premierleague untill then nothings gonna change!!
So untill stop politicising everything or u'll look much like Shebby

Harwoodstblue wrote:

Sir Bill Taylor wrote: I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

I think they should commumicate with the fans and be honest as to where they see the club going in the next two or three years. Explain how they hope to achieve their aims and provide some proper financial backing (not selling players to buy others ) as they promised they would do.

I know some people who want to go but genarally the economic situation is dire and people are struggling to make ends meet therefore leisure comes bottom of the list. You have to look around generally, many charity shops, pay days loans, pawn shops, not many jobs going etc sadly thats the reality.

BRFC0808 wrote:
Tired of this blaming owners ****,, U waited till last week, nobody turned up so start blaming owners again to save HB's arrse...
How many owners r being at the team always!!! ?? huh??
the thing is BB crowd wanna see only Premierleague untill then nothings gonna change!!
So untill stop politicising everything or u'll look much like Shebby

Kermit the Frog likes this comment

BRFC0808 wrote:
Tired of this blaming owners ****,, U waited till last week, nobody turned up so start blaming owners again to save HB's arrse...
How many owners r being at the team always!!! ?? huh??
the thing is BB crowd wanna see only Premierleague untill then nothings gonna change!!
So untill stop politicising everything or u'll look much like Shebby

......How many owners r being at the team always!!! ?? huh??
.
None. but it would be nice if Venkys were sometimes " at the team "

Harwoodstblue wrote:

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

I think they should commumicate with the fans and be honest as to where they see the club going in the next two or three years.
Explain how they hope to achieve their aims and provide some proper financial backing (not selling players to buy others ) as they promised they would do.

I totally agree, We never know what venkys are up to, or what they are thinking or planning. They are the worst owners ever, and they will have to be more open and in honest in the future, even then it could take years to repair the damage....if ever! Personally i hate them, dont trust them and would like to see the back of them.

It's never too late to be humble IMO.
Most rational thinking Rovers supporters would accept Venkys, albeit reluctantly, if they held their hands up in recognition of the so many wrongs over the past 2 years, showed some empathy towards the supporters views and drew a line in the sand and shared a sensible vision for the future.
It would need to be direct communication and not through a third party. They need to stop hiding in a cupboard, show some courage and make an appearance occasionally.
It needs to happen pronto before the stay aways totally fall out of love, find a new partner and file for divorce which is terminal.

Venkys have put wounds in the fans heart its hard to accept them begin love by fans. I want them to see fans face to face and be honest than maybe the fans will give them a chance.

You've spent £13 million in the summer, you have players earning in excess of £1.5 million a year, you have THE cheapest matchday and season tickets in the entire division and STILL you moan.

Reality check needed methinks.

I wonder if Kermit read the article or perhaps it didn't sink in ?

I was dissapointed that there was not much more than 14,000 there on Saturday. We are in a strong league position and it was a new manager's first game in charge. Where are all the "my money is the bank for a season ticket and as soon as SK goes I will be back" people when it's time to stand up and be counted? We have a decent attacking (if not defending) team, a new manager and for the first time in ages, a decent atmosphere at Ewood.

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
I would like to know from real Rovers fans what they think, realistically, the Raos could/should do to improve a situation that they haven't helped?

There are plenty of things they can do Bill,

First they can turn up and support the team.
Second they can show some respect for the fans by acknowledging some of the things they have got wrong, and share their current vision,either in the program or the Telegraph.
Third they can offer some attractive short-term sponsorship deals to local business.
Fourth they can get visibly involved in the community by sponsoring football events for local schools, have pre-match 5-a-side competition or something, give schools match tickets to reward pupils etc.
Fifth they can be a bit more transparent, explain who does what by publishing interviews with club officials about their roles.
Sixth, they need to understand that 25,000 x 10 is bigger than 10,000 x 20.

Just off the top of my head Bill.

Great comments: informed, committed & with vision...I am trying to express these & other comments to get them to the Raos. The groups, forums, trusts, fanzines & websites all have people in them working hard in different ways, not everyone will agree with everything. But please don't dissipate energies ino the corrosive process of slagging like minded people off. All of us, all these groups & the Raos, none have any vested interest in pulling our local Club down. Everyone would benefit if we worked together. At the moment I Chair the process of trying to get those groups to unite together. We need the Raos to work together wih us for things to be right. Calm, adult thoughtful appoaches to constructive resolution...come on Folks!

Give Kean the sack, get 10k back. Hahaha what a bunch of muppets.

Harwoodstblue wrote:
I wonder if Kermit read the article or perhaps it didn't sink in ?

Oh I read the article alright and it is basically a whinge about Venkys needing to regain the supporter's trust and by producing good football will win back the stayaway supporters?

No matter how much it is dressed up as a protest, basically Venkys need to regain BRFC's Premier League place before the supporters will consider going to Bol-Ewood again - that is a fact.
I just wonder how many supporters would be coming through the turnstiles if your matchday prices were on a par with Burnley's or every other Championship side?

Good article and something I think we can all relate to.

I kept my promise once Kean left and renewed my ST but the dreadful Wolves match put a lot of people off just when we needed a good performance.

I also object to the tired comments that Venkys have somehow invested in the team this year. In 2012 we lost our 4 best players (Hoillett, Nzonzi, Samba and Yak) and recruited Rhodes as the one player with genuine quality. A net outflow in anyones books. Please stop pedalling this myth.

Venkys need to apologise. Admit they were wrong, admit they have made mistakes and ask for the fans to support us into the future. This reluctance is a symptom of their arrogance and their position in a medieval country like India.

This aint going to happen lets face it and the dream team Agnew / Shaw / Shabby are a joke.

Nevertheless I will continue to make the 220 mile round trip for home games and hope that Berg turns it around.

I also hope that the stay away fans return without a Venkys apology.

I must agree with many of the posters here. The ball is very definitely in the Rao's court now. I have reconnected with the club and enjoyed the way the team played on Saturday, though not the result.
My view is that one of the brothers should sit on the board and communicate with the fans; hold open forums periodically, for example. Be honest and start learning something about the game in this country.
We will get back to former glory, and perhaps the stronger for recent experiences, if we all come together and get behind the club and that all, by the way, includes the Rao family.

vicn1956 wrote:
Only 1 garner- write to the fans for their views- futile I wrote to shabby weeks ago- guess what- no reply!

I wrote to the ex wife twenty years ago...guess what?..no reply !

Kermit The Frog wrote:
You've spent £13 million in the summer, you have players earning in excess of £1.5 million a year, you have THE cheapest matchday and season tickets in the entire division and STILL you moan.

Reality check needed methinks.

Even the ManU fans r not satisfied with their owners , the Glazers, let alone Venkys..
So no amout of appeasing or reality check will wake them ... i guess....

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
Great comments: informed, committed & with vision...I am trying to express these & other comments to get them to the Raos. The groups, forums, trusts, fanzines & websites all have people in them working hard in different ways, not everyone will agree with everything. But please don't dissipate energies ino the corrosive process of slagging like minded people off. All of us, all these groups & the Raos, none have any vested interest in pulling our local Club down. Everyone would benefit if we worked together. At the moment I Chair the process of trying to get those groups to unite together. We need the Raos to work together wih us for things to be right. Calm, adult thoughtful appoaches to constructive resolution...come on Folks!

Bill, theres a range of intellect and opinion on here, and long may it remain so, everyone is entitled as they say. The monkeys will throw dung at each other and others will have a moan, a chat and a laugh. You won't turn it into a debating chamber so you just need to filter what you find and remember to wash your hands.

I wish you well in your efforts and look forward to seeing some action as a result.

I think everyone knows what's needed and that is for the heart and sole to be put back into the club.
I think that is the main issue that everyone is so **** off about. The Club has been something the community in general could identify with and be proud to be part of. Ideally that would have been as a Premier League Club but I don't think that's the be all and all. After all many of us were part of the roller coaster long before Jack invested in our dream.
I for one fully enjoyed the 70s, 80s and couldn't believe the halcyon 90s, since JWs death, the time since 2000 hasn't really been enjoyable but until 2010 tolerable. What's transpired since has culminated in the total loss of the club's sole as we knew it.
Hopefully it can be rectified but I'm more than sceptical.

I think a lot of people are dubious about returning due to the fact that Berg was a pretty low-key appointment. Yes the fans will get behind him and give him a chance but the more sceptical fans will just see his appointment as Venky's cheaping out on a man nobody else wanted.

darwenblues wrote:
I think everyone knows what's needed and that is for the heart and sole to be put back into the club.
I think that is the main issue that everyone is so **** off about. The Club has been something the community in general could identify with and be proud to be part of. Ideally that would have been as a Premier League Club but I don't think that's the be all and all. After all many of us were part of the roller coaster long before Jack invested in our dream.
I for one fully enjoyed the 70s, 80s and couldn't believe the halcyon 90s, since JWs death, the time since 2000 hasn't really been enjoyable but until 2010 tolerable. What's transpired since has culminated in the total loss of the club's sole as we knew it.
Hopefully it can be rectified but I'm more than sceptical.

You and me both, but keep the faith.

French Rover reports he's seen a bunch of old guys in cap sleeved t-shirts and turned up jeans, sitting in a Bar in Bergerac with Rovers scarves tied to their wrists. I presume that was you.

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
Great comments: informed, committed & with vision...I am trying to express these & other comments to get them to the Raos. The groups, forums, trusts, fanzines & websites all have people in them working hard in different ways, not everyone will agree with everything. But please don't dissipate energies ino the corrosive process of slagging like minded people off. All of us, all these groups & the Raos, none have any vested interest in pulling our local Club down. Everyone would benefit if we worked together. At the moment I Chair the process of trying to get those groups to unite together. We need the Raos to work together wih us for things to be right. Calm, adult thoughtful appoaches to constructive resolution...come on Folks!

Yes all the fan groups have come together - which is obviously fantastic, unfortunately the Raos are still hiding in their ivory tower in India.

Liars, thieves and cowards - THE LOT OF THEM - and thats my conclusion after, my calm, adult thoughtful consideration.

I admire what you have done for the club and what you continue to try to do but I think there is 1 huge flaw in your overall strategy - HOW DO YOU COMUNICATE WITH OWNERS THAT DO NOT EVEN LOWER THEMSELVES TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR VERY EXISTANCE - LET ALONE SIT DOWN AND CONVERSE WITH YOU.

Unfortunately we all know we are stuck with Venkys for the forseeable future, yet also deep down, is there anyone out there who serious thinks OUR club can go (properly) forwards whilst Venkys own it ?

Rovers' support at 22,000 plus per game was the best support in the premier league (as a proportion of the local population attending matches). This was mainly due to Jack Walker, promotion ot the premiership, the title etc. I.e. a third or so of those fans are fair weather supporters. Many of those who claim to be core fans and blame their staying away on Keen, Venky's or whatever are nothing of the sort. Core fans are the sort that went to Port Vale away in the old third division. They go to see their team through thick and thin. None of this has been helped by the atmosphere at Ewood which has been (until Saturday) shocking due to the persistent negativity and protests and the inevitable demoralising effect this has on the players. I am one of those that believe you never boo your team. Nevertheless I respect the fact that those who continue to attend but cause the negative atmosphere are core fans - they must be, they are still attending - and I aplaud them for that.

Don't blame it on Venkys. Of course we would like much better but we could have much worse, private ownership is the way the game is going and Bill Fox and Bill Bancroft would never have stumped up £8m for a player.

Face the facts - its fair weather supporters who are responsible for low attendances. Much will have to be done to win them round but, judging on Saturday's excellent performance (including the best ever individual performances for Rovers by Rochina, Vukovich, Formica) there are grounds for optimism. Henning was not in list of favoured managers but I am mightily impressed so far.
P.S. by the way the worst football I have seen Rovers play in 50 years of watching them was the hoofball under Sam.

johnny rover wrote:
Rovers' support at 22,000 plus per game was the best support in the premier league (as a proportion of the local population attending matches). This was mainly due to Jack Walker, promotion ot the premiership, the title etc. I.e. a third or so of those fans are fair weather supporters. Many of those who claim to be core fans and blame their staying away on Keen, Venky's or whatever are nothing of the sort. Core fans are the sort that went to Port Vale away in the old third division. They go to see their team through thick and thin. None of this has been helped by the atmosphere at Ewood which has been (until Saturday) shocking due to the persistent negativity and protests and the inevitable demoralising effect this has on the players. I am one of those that believe you never boo your team. Nevertheless I respect the fact that those who continue to attend but cause the negative atmosphere are core fans - they must be, they are still attending - and I aplaud them for that.

Don't blame it on Venkys. Of course we would like much better but we could have much worse, private ownership is the way the game is going and Bill Fox and Bill Bancroft would never have stumped up £8m for a player.

Face the facts - its fair weather supporters who are responsible for low attendances. Much will have to be done to win them round but, judging on Saturday's excellent performance (including the best ever individual performances for Rovers by Rochina, Vukovich, Formica) there are grounds for optimism. Henning was not in list of favoured managers but I am mightily impressed so far.
P.S. by the way the worst football I have seen Rovers play in 50 years of watching them was the hoofball under Sam.

I cannot disagree with anything you have said from the start of your post to the end but to others sometimes the truth hurts!
Most whingers will never have stood on terracing before never mind going to Mansfield or Port Vale! All the more reason to get their collective arses to Peterborough on Saturday!

Kermit The Frog wrote:

Harwoodstblue wrote:
I wonder if Kermit read the article or perhaps it didn't sink in ?

Oh I read the article alright and it is basically a whinge about Venkys needing to regain the supporter's trust and by producing good football will win back the stayaway supporters?

No matter how much it is dressed up as a protest, basically Venkys need to regain BRFC's Premier League place before the supporters will consider going to Bol-Ewood again - that is a fact.
I just wonder how many supporters would be coming through the turnstiles if your matchday prices were on a par with Burnley's or every other Championship side?

Is that why Bonlehs gates are sh1t then Kermy because tickets are so expensive?

Or is this just another desperate attempt to comfort your mind Bonleh are a bigger club than BRFC?

Seeing you're all so obsessed with attendances, where's the ten thousand dingles gone from your season in the Prem?

If your club is so fan orientated and a club that prides itself (apparently) on being the 'heart beat' of the town, why are tickets so expensive?

I thought Bonleh was a peoples club?

J.C - Rishton wrote:

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
Great comments: informed, committed & with vision...I am trying to express these & other comments to get them to the Raos. The groups, forums, trusts, fanzines & websites all have people in them working hard in different ways, not everyone will agree with everything. But please don't dissipate energies ino the corrosive process of slagging like minded people off. All of us, all these groups & the Raos, none have any vested interest in pulling our local Club down. Everyone would benefit if we worked together. At the moment I Chair the process of trying to get those groups to unite together. We need the Raos to work together wih us for things to be right. Calm, adult thoughtful appoaches to constructive resolution...come on Folks!

Yes all the fan groups have come together - which is obviously fantastic, unfortunately the Raos are still hiding in their ivory tower in India.

Liars, thieves and cowards - THE LOT OF THEM - and thats my conclusion after, my calm, adult thoughtful consideration.

I admire what you have done for the club and what you continue to try to do but I think there is 1 huge flaw in your overall strategy - HOW DO YOU COMUNICATE WITH OWNERS THAT DO NOT EVEN LOWER THEMSELVES TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR VERY EXISTANCE - LET ALONE SIT DOWN AND CONVERSE WITH YOU.

Unfortunately we all know we are stuck with Venkys for the forseeable future, yet also deep down, is there anyone out there who serious thinks OUR club can go (properly) forwards whilst Venkys own it ?

Excellent post JC........Well done for seeing it and saying it as it really is. I couldn't agree more.
I'm 100% behind Berg and the team but have huge reservations about Venkys intentions until they show us otherwise.

Rovers75 wrote:

Kermit The Frog wrote:

Harwoodstblue wrote:
I wonder if Kermit read the article or perhaps it didn't sink in ?

Oh I read the article alright and it is basically a whinge about Venkys needing to regain the supporter's trust and by producing good football will win back the stayaway supporters?

No matter how much it is dressed up as a protest, basically Venkys need to regain BRFC's Premier League place before the supporters will consider going to Bol-Ewood again - that is a fact.
I just wonder how many supporters would be coming through the turnstiles if your matchday prices were on a par with Burnley's or every other Championship side?

Is that why Bonlehs gates are sh1t then Kermy because tickets are so expensive?

Or is this just another desperate attempt to comfort your mind Bonleh are a bigger club than BRFC?

Seeing you're all so obsessed with attendances, where's the ten thousand dingles gone from your season in the Prem?

If your club is so fan orientated and a club that prides itself (apparently) on being the 'heart beat' of the town, why are tickets so expensive?

I thought Bonleh was a peoples club?

... :-)

Put the prices down and they will come back, that simple.

I wish Hening Berg all the best and will get behind him, but I think it is a very underwhelming choice from the industrial Chicken murderers and I think they should have gone for an experienced manager, but I honestly think they were struggling to get an experienced manager because they have no credibility and no one with any brains would work for them (Berg's sentiments also) except for a young and relatively inexperienced manager looking to build a career. Also they seem to be hung up on players from the past and the past glories they represent - Berg, Hendry and renaming both stands behind the goals after two Rovers greats, it's almost like they are trying to evoke memories of the past in order to detract from the shambles of the present, in fact it is obvious that this is what they are trying to do and it just goes to show how stupid they are and how little respect they have for the intelligence of the fans if they think all we want are famous names and nostalgia rather than competent and capable individuals with a proven track record in the current era - individuals who incidentally would be more likely to stand up to them and not put up with their bull and so maybe an eager to please inexperienced manager would be the best bet for them - idiots. Venkies out - they are still the underlying cause of all the problems at the club, until they are gone things won't improve for the long term and I think we will have a decade of Championship mediocrity - this is not pessimistic but based on what I've seen I think realistic.

real betis hotpot wrote:
I wish Hening Berg all the best and will get behind him, but I think it is a very underwhelming choice from the industrial Chicken murderers and I think they should have gone for an experienced manager, but I honestly think they were struggling to get an experienced manager because they have no credibility and no one with any brains would work for them (Berg's sentiments also) except for a young and relatively inexperienced manager looking to build a career. Also they seem to be hung up on players from the past and the past glories they represent - Berg, Hendry and renaming both stands behind the goals after two Rovers greats, it's almost like they are trying to evoke memories of the past in order to detract from the shambles of the present, in fact it is obvious that this is what they are trying to do and it just goes to show how stupid they are and how little respect they have for the intelligence of the fans if they think all we want are famous names and nostalgia rather than competent and capable individuals with a proven track record in the current era - individuals who incidentally would be more likely to stand up to them and not put up with their bull and so maybe an eager to please inexperienced manager would be the best bet for them - idiots. Venkies out - they are still the underlying cause of all the problems at the club, until they are gone things won't improve for the long term and I think we will have a decade of Championship mediocrity - this is not pessimistic but based on what I've seen I think realistic.

The main reason for the non return is the delayed action in making this change and even then it was not by their hand directly. Hence the continued mistrust.
In this meantime many have had time to re-evaluate their leisure time and as warned many have found other things to bide their time, or better still enjoy.

This is what the venkys should have heeded, but they chose to treat the fanbase with the same disregard as always.

With them being 'part of the package', many find they just cannot be bothered to build bridges for them.

J.C - Rishton wrote:

Sir Bill Taylor wrote:
Great comments: informed, committed & with vision...I am trying to express these & other comments to get them to the Raos. The groups, forums, trusts, fanzines & websites all have people in them working hard in different ways, not everyone will agree with everything. But please don't dissipate energies ino the corrosive process of slagging like minded people off. All of us, all these groups & the Raos, none have any vested interest in pulling our local Club down. Everyone would benefit if we worked together. At the moment I Chair the process of trying to get those groups to unite together. We need the Raos to work together wih us for things to be right. Calm, adult thoughtful appoaches to constructive resolution...come on Folks!

Yes all the fan groups have come together - which is obviously fantastic, unfortunately the Raos are still hiding in their ivory tower in India.

Liars, thieves and cowards - THE LOT OF THEM - and thats my conclusion after, my calm, adult thoughtful consideration.

I admire what you have done for the club and what you continue to try to do but I think there is 1 huge flaw in your overall strategy - HOW DO YOU COMUNICATE WITH OWNERS THAT DO NOT EVEN LOWER THEMSELVES TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR VERY EXISTANCE - LET ALONE SIT DOWN AND CONVERSE WITH YOU.

Unfortunately we all know we are stuck with Venkys for the forseeable future, yet also deep down, is there anyone out there who serious thinks OUR club can go (properly) forwards whilst Venkys own it ?

Bill, Before the appointment of HB I wrote a highly critical but constructive letter to the Roa brothers with my views about (a) the appointment and (b) a crucial step to the way forward, which I delivered to Ewood by hand. Needless to say, I have not received a reply - or even an acknowledgement.

I do not want to post that letter on here, but I am happy for you to see it if you could tell me a way to get it to you – e-mail, postal address or telephone number. Good luck, but I’m afraid I share the views of JC, though we have to continue to do whatever we can.

Henning Berg as manager is a massive improvement, I wish him well and I believe he will do well.
However, Blackburn Rovers is just a shell of the club it was and I’m not just talking about the hay days of the 90’s! I am talking about as far back as I can remember the old third division when Blackburn was a real club, a family club, the feeling, the atmosphere.
This has been ripped out by the current owners, I don’t know what design they have for the clubs future, but what they have done so far, looks to me as either complete managerial chaos or some form of extreme systematic stripping of a clubs structure and assets hidden by the convoluted dealings that have dominated the club since the new owners took over
The transfer policy is baffling, player after player being signed from all corners of the globe, most of which are poor at best. That in itself is very suspicious to me; I would love to see the agent fees in all those transfers. And then the odd big signing like Jordan Rhodes? it really is baffling
Who is signing the players? My personal view is that it was never the manager
Football is supposed to be entertainment; this has been non-existent over the last two years coupled with a toxic atmosphere, it has been painful !
However under Berg I can already see the shoots of recovery, but it will take time to bring the fans back, however if results and performances improve, so too will the atmosphere and like at a lot of clubs including Manchester United: The owners will be put to the back of most people’s minds and football will once again take centre stage.

johnny rover wrote:
Rovers' support at 22,000 plus per game was the best support in the premier league (as a proportion of the local population attending matches). This was mainly due to Jack Walker, promotion ot the premiership, the title etc. I.e. a third or so of those fans are fair weather supporters. Many of those who claim to be core fans and blame their staying away on Keen, Venky's or whatever are nothing of the sort. Core fans are the sort that went to Port Vale away in the old third division. They go to see their team through thick and thin. None of this has been helped by the atmosphere at Ewood which has been (until Saturday) shocking due to the persistent negativity and protests and the inevitable demoralising effect this has on the players. I am one of those that believe you never boo your team. Nevertheless I respect the fact that those who continue to attend but cause the negative atmosphere are core fans - they must be, they are still attending - and I aplaud them for that.

Don't blame it on Venkys. Of course we would like much better but we could have much worse, private ownership is the way the game is going and Bill Fox and Bill Bancroft would never have stumped up £8m for a player.

Face the facts - its fair weather supporters who are responsible for low attendances. Much will have to be done to win them round but, judging on Saturday's excellent performance (including the best ever individual performances for Rovers by Rochina, Vukovich, Formica) there are grounds for optimism. Henning was not in list of favoured managers but I am mightily impressed so far.
P.S. by the way the worst football I have seen Rovers play in 50 years of watching them was the hoofball under Sam.

well said Johnny Rover....almost agree with everything you said. I was one of the faithful few that went away in the seventies to such far flung outposts as Plymouth, Southend, Bournemouth, Brighton et al....all via the lone unreliable Ribblesdale coach where the skylights leaked and the windows always got smashed on the away end car park - hard to miss when ours was the only vehicle on there... or the coach driver would pick us up a mile away from the ground to save the windows getting smashed - but we (and the coach) usually got stoned anyway in more ways than one!).... and why did they always set off at 11pm on Friday nights from Foundry Hill...been dumped off the coach all along the south coast at 6am in the morning. 15 Rovers fan and a dog (but she doesn't go anymore - sorry).looking for a bacon buttie, a selling out shop and a football (in that order) to amuse ourselves intil the pubs opened or until the local lot sussed us out and chased us around their town for three hours before kick-off. Anyway I have digressed....yes, fair weather fans we always had em at the Rovers it isn't anything new, and the hard core loyal was always a small group which only grew when we had any success. The prem years changed all that of course and we suddenly had fans from outside of Blackburn (unheard of) and all was rosy in the garden for a few glorious years. But now we are back in familiar (to some of us) territory and while it is quite nostalgic I would prefer ot only to be a temporary nostalgia and that we can get the global (Well Midlands and Devon branches) back at Ewood as go back to that devil they call the Prem..,

greenscreener wrote:

darwenblues wrote:
I think everyone knows what's needed and that is for the heart and sole to be put back into the club.
I think that is the main issue that everyone is so **** off about. The Club has been something the community in general could identify with and be proud to be part of. Ideally that would have been as a Premier League Club but I don't think that's the be all and all. After all many of us were part of the roller coaster long before Jack invested in our dream.
I for one fully enjoyed the 70s, 80s and couldn't believe the halcyon 90s, since JWs death, the time since 2000 hasn't really been enjoyable but until 2010 tolerable. What's transpired since has culminated in the total loss of the club's sole as we knew it.
Hopefully it can be rectified but I'm more than sceptical.

You and me both, but keep the faith.

French Rover reports he's seen a bunch of old guys in cap sleeved t-shirts and turned up jeans, sitting in a Bar in Bergerac with Rovers scarves tied to their wrists. I presume that was you.

Bergerac's not for me, too many Brits! Strange though, sounds like my dress sense!

One only has to look at the facts a season that included a last day escape from relegation, followed by the next season's relegation, false promises with regards to transfers, Rovers Assets 'mortgaged' for capital, more lies etc-it goes on...(not to mention the supposed loan of the Stoke Forward as Venky's refused to pay his wages- 4 weeks ago!!!!!)
A transfer window is looming and this could prove Venky's commitment not only to the club but support for development should Rovers achieve promotion....(I doubt it and think that if promotion is not acheved this season then we will become a lower division side)

There are those who contribute to this medium and their comments are laughable to the point of stupidity as you would think that we were back in the Premiership already.. While Venky's are around the future is extemely uncertain...........
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