[Archived] Rovers Sold ??

[American]

Nonsense. There are only so many "Premier League jobs" available to players around the world. Even if every team starts spending enough to have "big squads" (i.e. 2 solid players for every position), that's only 440 footballers in the Prem at any one time. And even if you're the most measly little club that just got promoted from the lower divisions, you're still going to have more TV money to spend than all but about 2 dozen clubs in the rest of the world. Many players wanting to get opportunities for big Premier League paydays will have to settle for playing with the Watfords, Wigans & WBA, etc, etc....at least temporarily. With almost no debts and a trust backing us held by people whose net worth is something supposedly over £1 billion (Carole Walker, Fred Walker, & the others), and all that TV money to spend (keep in mind we just plussed fiscally a year ago for the first time since Jack took over, we wouldn't be lowering ticket prices if we weren't in such good shape), we'll be perfectly fine. We've got good people running the show and they've ample funds available to them for us to make a run at the Champions League this year if we play our cards right this summer. I'm all for bringing in new investors, I'm not for new bosses. Let these bums get their bling from some other group of supporters' precious football club. NOT OURS!

Other players will have to settle for signing with the Watfords, Sheffield Uniteds and Charltons. Doesn't mean they won't get relegated.

We can't go with what will be available, we have to go with what will be available in comparison to the other 19 prem clubs, or else we'll be comparing to the other 23 Championship clubs.

As for American sports owners, there is a lot to be said about the financial power of our major sports leagues. I can't think of one team in the top 3 leagues (possibly even throw in hockey) that wouldn't sell for at least 3 to 4 times more money than Rovers. The Premiership is now competing in a global market - these owners know that and will do their best to grow our stature and image. Even updating Rovers World to show more highlights and possibly even delayed matches would make me thrilled about the sale.

And we have yet to show that we have ample funds available to make a run at the Champions League. I'd be surprised if we were in the top 3/4 of net spenders this summer.

[American]

Its not our decision to make we already have owners and if they chose to sell up then that’s their business, we are merely customers. I think this will all end in tears but there again not competing with other PL clubs will probably have the same net result.

Lets be realistic though the catchments area isn't going to get any bigger, its still a small town with more than 30% of the premier league on its doorstep.

To me its a choice of maintaining the status quo (with the unpalatable thought that if the bubble bursts we will suffer more than most) or slipping behind.

If Manchester keeps growing, I can see Blackburn becoming a commuter town (I'll admit, I was only there for a couple of days, so it is an outsider's perspective). I don't think all of the major businesses that have large presences there would have made the investments if they thought there wasn't potential for growth.

[rog of the rovers]

I remember when we won the Premiership in 1995. My dad said to me -"Enjoy it while it lasts, they'll never win it again in your lifetime" Looks like he could be right - unless we get another rich man in.

Haha

My dad said exactly the same thing to me.

Any investment in my opininon is a good thing for the club.

[Bennisfromheaven]

Why on earth would somebody want to buy Blackburn Rovers?, especially someone who has no interest, ties or loyalty to the club or UK football in general? Because that is exactly who will takeover.

I dont think an american investor, specifically, would be think they could draw the crowds from manchester, liverpool etc. to watch rovers. They have the same thinking as the people who are spending a £150 million on david beckham & that is raising the profile of a potentially massively lucrative sport in the united states and will market us right across that country

[Roost]

To be fair, there hasn't be a lot happening for you lot since Walker era anyway.

Really?

Relegation

Promotion

Worthington Cup Winners

Twice Semi Final FA Cup

European Football

European football again this season

[Rover Down Under]

We'll never find another Jack Walker though.

I'm working on it OK! I'm about 399.99 million short of Uncle Jack at the moment though, any donations would be appreciated...

[Claytons Left Boot]

Fast forward 5 years to La Mata beach, Spain............

CLB applying sun cream, another guy approaches wearing a vaguely familiar red football shirt. Bloke says, alright pal who do you support.

Says CLB proudly (but still with a tear in his eye and a sadness in his heart)....." FC Rovers"

(Sorry waggy, I know you got in first)

[LeftWinger]

Do we become a football club who sells their passion for glory?

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past

You must fight just to keep them alive

[Pugg]

Agreed Padiham. A lot more has gone on in the era since Jack Walker than at clubs such as Newcastle, who everyone still bangs on about being a 'big club' etc etc.

Also Welshred, our attendances are so low for several reasons, which I won't repeat as it gets quite boring when opposition fans continuously bang on about attendances. If you are from Wales and weren't born in Manchester then you are one of the reasons why small town clubs don't get bigger support.

As for a takeover, just thank god it isn't the Thai guy!!

[LeftWinger]

As for a takeover, just thank god it isn't the Thai guy!!

How funny would it have been had he taken over at City...and THEN had his bank accounts frozen.

[unsall]

Mentioned this news to someone close to the club and he has said the last two home games an ex director from the 80s a mr Hubert remember him,who is now based in London has been in the Walker suite with an unknown yank, not sure if there is a link watch this space...................

I still think its Walter Huberts( the ex director from the 80s) mate from USA name not yet known,but the same source still thinks its the same guys.............

[Hughesy]

To be honest im glad that this is happening.

Yes the Walker era was great, but now that he has gone, his trustees are doing nothing really compared to what Uncle Jack would of done. They havent really looked after his investment and put 'Uncle' Jacks best interests into place. If he was here then we would of spent much more cash in the last few seasons!

Many of the other premier league clubs are being taken over, and that is now slowly happening with lower league clubs, we must move now, or get left behind! Simple as that!

I say lets get on with it and start challenging the big boys again!! Wasnt it fun when that small town club was beating all the so called 'big' boys. Aslong as we get the right owner then i am happy! And im sure JW will do his very best in ensuring that, dont you worry!

[OJRovers]

Spending big does not always equal success. Chelsea for instance, granted they won 2 titles on the back of a big spend,

So by adding Bellamy and losing maybe 1/2 key players you are going to get an extra 20+ points, and expect the likes of United, who have spent 50million on players not to improve?

So to clarify: spending big does not equal success...

...granted Chelsea won 2 titles (6 trophies) on the back of spending

...and united will be unbeatable now they have spent £50m

You need to get your story straight

[Zulu]

Be bloody funny if it's funded by oil money from the Clampetts and Jethro Bodine!

Sorry - I couldn't resist. I'll get my coat.

[DanLad]

Be bloody funny if it's funded by oil money from the Clampetts and Jethro Bodine!

Sorry - I couldn't resist. I'll get my coat.

...and then one day he was shooting at a dingle and up from the ground came a bubbling cruuu-ude...

...premiership cash that is, TV gold, a money tree...

[Eddie]

I also think that it is essential that JW stays at the club. If that happens then I would welcome any take-over that the board and executives gave the ok to.

[Fife Rover]

Or:

1. American (citizen - not me) buys Rovers

2. Spends sensibly, upgrades facilities and puts energy into marketing

3. Rovers have a viable future with a decent fan base

Most of the buyers are looking for long-term investments, not to spend a ton of money with no chance of return.

This scenario is probably the best (certainly the safest) route for Rovers to take. It will mean that the new owner is doing virtually the same as the Walker Trust does now, and will allow them to walk away with a feeling of "job well done". It could also involve the new owner keeping JW at the helm (why wouldn't they?) and MH staying as well.

Looking at the various scenario's being discussed above, I think this one is the best for us all, as it will still allow for steady growth, but not going off the rails. Nice steady growth on and off the pitch leading to a top 6, then top 4 and CL situation within the next 4 or 5 years.

[herbergeehh]

Why not you then, Charlie? You'd make a good owner I reckon.

[USABlue]

I told you once I had my house re-financed I would take a look at it, you lot did not believe me did you?

The press will be happy they can all dust off their "bought the title" quotes and apply the words bought the to anything we may win. Personal feelings are I would like to see us have this season before any takeover. I'd really like to see how well we can do "weeing with the willy we've got", a season clear from devastating injuries standing on our own two feet.

Big plus is it may greatly improve our chances of keeping Sparky for a longer term.

[frosty]

OR

1) American buys Rovers

2) Rovers spend big - fans happy - team does well

3) Rovers getting more publicity and become more attractive to sponsors

4) More fans starts to attend games, and kids in the area are no longer walking around with ManU shirts.

5) The riverside is re-build, and the average attendence goes up to 35 000 as Rovers qualify for the Champions League

6) The new owners are happy with the development

7) Rovers have become a real force in English and European football

Totally . There are more advantages than disadvantages to this takeover, so let's hope JW gets the right deal for the club.

[DanLad]

Totally . There are more advantages than disadvantages to this takeover, so let's hope JW gets the right deal for the club.

I do have a lot of faith in JW.

[SAS]

the main thing coming from everyone is positives about JW (wheres vinjay when you need him ) JW will get the best deal he can from an investor so i wouldnt worry about JW`s future at ewood as he is deciding it himself really!!

[LeftWinger]

Birmingham Take Over?

Now this guy seriously is rich. Is a take-over inevitable for all the clubs in the Premiership? If it is the case - maybe it's a wise idea to buy some shares in the clubs at the top of the Championship? Then when they get promoted, and bought out, your quids in surely?

[Bazzanotsogreat]

the main thing coming from everyone is positives about JW (wheres vinjay when you need him ) JW will get the best deal he can from an investor so i wouldnt worry about JW`s future at ewood as he is deciding it himself really!!

Vinjay & proposed takeover : quality stuff

[LeChuck]

As others have said, I have almost complete faith in the current trustees and John Williams to find the right buyers for the club. If any potential investors are approved by them, then that's good enough for me.

If we are taken over then it's vital that we move away from this 'small town in Europe' mentality. Improving the image of the club will be the main priority I feel, both for winning back fans who have chosen to stay away and attracting big name players. We'll have to lose all talk of 'punching above our weight' etc etc, and instead believe that European football every season is what we deserve and what we're aiming for. Thankfully this doesn't seem a task that takes too long, Portsmouth already seem to be able to attract big names thanks to their foreign investor, ambitious management and fans.

Any potential deal could also ensure we keep Sparky for longer than maybe we would under the current regime. There's no doubt that he's highly ambitious, if we can get investors in who match that then we could have an exciting few years ahead.