ROVERS fan Josh Boswell started a social media storm two days before the club appointed Owen Coyle as manager, and he’s still determined to get owners Venky’s out of his club.

The 25-year-old from Langho launched a successful campaign to get the Twitter hashtag #VenkysOut trending in what he calls a ‘21st Century pitch invasion’.

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On Tuesday night it was in the top 10 trending subjects in the UK and has been tweeted tens of thousands of times.

It also gathered support from fans of other clubs, including Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Boswell says it shows the depth of fans’ frustration towards the India-based owners.

“I noticed that the lowest hashtag only had 250 mentions, so I thought Rovers fans could get #VenkysOut to more than that,” he said.

“It was really a plea for help. At this point people have protested and stopped renewing tickets.

“We just want someone to come out and say where the club is going.

“This is like a 21st Century version of a pitch invasion.”

Regarding the Coyle appointment, Boswell said: “It’s got to the point now where it’s hard to muster the energy to get angry; it’s just another big sigh. The appointment of Owen Coyle is hardly inspiring and unfortunately it brings back memories of the Steve Kean era.”

Boswell, a lifelong fan and former season ticket holder, added: “The hashtag is trying to make sure the message gets back to India. It’s not like the old days when you could ring (former Rovers chairman) John Williams up and he’d get back to you.

“If you think someone’s acting in the best interests of the club you gain a bit of trust, but with Venky’s there’s no one to speak to.”

Fans of other clubs across the country weighed in with their support too.

@Asamufc tweeted: “I’m not even a Rovers fan but I’ve seen how far down the club has fallen. Venkys have absolutely destroyed it. #VenkysOut NOW!”

Sheffield pop band, and Wednesday fans, Reverend And The Makers also lent their support, tweeting: “#VenkysOut for my pals in Blackburn.”

Neil Thornton, spokesman for the Rovers Trust, said: “Rovers supporters are frustrated they are not being listened to by the club’s owners who have shown no understanding at all of what a football club like Blackburn Rovers means to the community in East Lancashire.

“This social media campaign seems to be one way Rovers fans can say ‘we want our club back’ and the message will be heard in India.

“The Rao family have saddled the club with more than £100 million of debt, we have no proper executive leadership at Ewood Park and are in our worst league position since the 1980s.It’s fair to say the outlook is somewhat bleak.

“However, it’s good to see messages of solidarity from supporters of other clubs. Football fans around the world will recognise what we are going through.”

The club declined to comment when approached by the Lancashire Telegraph.