Steve Curwood's Blackburn Rovers interview gave fans honesty

Blackburn Rovers CEO, Steve Curwood. <i>(Image: RoversTV.)</i>
Blackburn Rovers CEO, Steve Curwood. (Image: RoversTV.)
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Blackburn Rovers fans have heard from new Chief Executive Steve Curwood for the first time on a range of prominent topics.

The Rovers CEO sat down with RoversTV last week to answer supporters' questions about the future of the club and beyond.

In a 25-minute interview, Curwood discussed club finances, plans to overcome their budget and rebuilding relationships with supporters.

Here, Lancashire Telegraph picks out the key takeaways from his chat and our reflecitons.

His background and role at Rovers

I think what came across early on was Curwood is quite down to Earth. He is from the North West and a genuine football supporter, which is think will resonate with Rovers fans.

I like that he didn't hide that he supported Blackpool growing up, why should he? We are all bored of cliched media-trained responses. His summer following England in America and his trip to the Azteca was engaging too.

He was understandably quizzed about his authority and autonomy, given fans' concern about previous power struggles. Whilst he will report directly to Venky's, he made it clear that he will work collaboratively with the other senior figure.

Ultimately, he is accountable, though.

The reality of Rovers' finances

Curwood didn't sugarcoat it and I am glad. Rovers have a bottom-six budget, given their revenues generated, which he put at £11million.

Whilst making it clear that those need to be improved, he also made it clear that this was not a pity party. Instead, Rovers will have to recruit better, think smarter and find new avenues to rival the competition.

"I think only Oxford, maybe Wrexham because of the stadium developments, was lower last season," he said on attendances.

"Again, I get it. Results do affect attendances and fixture changes and all that.

"So we have to find a way of doing things better than others. I go back to our longer-term strategy, which ultimately will deliver in the short term. That is the academy, that is on that recruitment and process."

A plan for the future

Curwood made it clear that Rovers will have to lean heavily on player trading and the Academy to make up the shortfall to compete.

It is a tried and tested formula, though difficult to execute. They will need to manage contracts better, offer opportunities to their Academy graduates and be good sellers.

Most importantly, they have to invest the funds wisely. It would be fair to say that there isn't much to show for the Adam Wharton and Sam Szmodics money, which came within six months back in 2024.

"We're constrained by budget. But as I said, we're not pleading poverty here," he insisted.

"We have got an opportunity still to progress the football club during this next season. In the long term, why would Blackburn Rovers not want to formulate or have some sort of plan? Why would we not want to plan to go back to the Premier League?

"I think that's my job over the next six months to support all the departments and the football department to present something to the owners, which is maybe tangible, that we can work towards a Premier League team for the future."

Communication with supporters

Curwood spoke about regaining fans' trust. He showed a willingness to engage by opening himself to events to discuss the transfer window after it had finished.

None of that is rocket-science stuff but will be welcome. Gregg Broughton earned plaudits because he would explain Rovers' plan. Supporters, and indeed the media, would much rather be told what's happening - good or bad - than live in a world of uncertainty.

"I do appreciate there are frustrations," he said.

"I do understand, having been, as I said, a football fan myself, I do get the difficulties sometimes where people don't understand what's happening."

We have heard it previously but it's still good to hear. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding.

I felt this was a good first interview with Curwood. Now let's judge him by his actions over the next six, 12 months and beyond.

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