[Archived] Message From John Williams

[BRFCS Content]

Recently the comments made in the “John Williams Appreciation Thread” were sent to John Williams.

John has kindly replied:

Thank you so much for sending me the BRFCS members comments. Football boardrooms are not normally places where grown men show too much emotion, so you get a bit conditioned to the stiff upper lip way of doing things.

However reading the comments at home I confess to a lump in the throat.

I have often used the expression 'the only thing that is constant is change' and now I am understanding the full practical implications of such sentiments.

Clearly all things come to an end and my time at Rovers I'm afraid ran out. I never planned to leave in the fashion I did but you can't plan everything.

Match days are still a bit difficult for me but I look forward to coming back to Ewood soon.

I thank all the fans for their good wishes and 'tributes' from the bottom of my heart.

[sparkspakespoke]

True gent.

[Mattyblue]

About 9 months ago I had a one on one meeting with him, the half hour planned ended up being 90 minutes. I came out the meeting more enthused about Rovers than any win on a Saturday could provide.

This man knew his club, their fans and English football like no other administrator in the game and it is an absolute disgrace the way he has been treated.

Thanks for everything John.

[Wilky]

nice of a reply... thanks john

[Iceman]

yep, thanks for all the good work JW. Never one to not reply to an email, whether it was through his PA or himself. Good man, and really wish he had not left, but i wish him everything of the best.

[PAFELL]

yep, thanks for all the good work JW. Never one to not reply to an email, whether it was through his PA or himself. Good man, and really wish he had not left, but i wish him everything of the best.

Brilliant man. Just wondering if there is something in the "looking forward to coming back to ewood soon" comment.

[Kelbo]

Brilliant man. Just wondering if there is something in the "looking forward to coming back to ewood soon" comment.

I really hope so!!

[broadsword]

Brilliant man. Just wondering if there is something in the "looking forward to coming back to ewood soon" comment.

Doubt it, but it's nice to know how much teh club means to him.

[PAFELL]

Doubt it, but it's nice to know how much teh club means to him.

Hope he comes to a match when the owners are present. The whole ground will be singing "there's only one John Williams". The owners will really be embarrassed - at their own business, as well.

[roversmum]

John, I just want to give you a big hug ((((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))) It has been a marvellous time to be a Rovers fan. Don't leave it too long before you come back xxxx

[heysham rover]

I would expect nothing less of a man of John Williams stature, dignified to the end.

[Kelbo]

Strange, JW to me is Blackburn Rovers, well respected and is truly missed as both a person and Chairman, I can tell you in all honesty, they players loved him and he was always available for them.

Michael Laudrup made wonderful comments about him too, well respected everywhere.

Hope to see you soon at Ewood.

[67splitscreen]

Brilliant man. Just wondering if there is something in the "looking forward to coming back to ewood soon" comment.

You could read even more into his use of the phrase "change is constant" but there has been to much of that in recent months.

When you get rid of someone like JW, bridges are burned.

[Ozz]

Michael Laudrup made wonderful comments about him too, well respected everywhere.

""In 20 years of working in football I have not come across a chairman as impressive as John Williams," said Bayram Tutumlu, Laudrup's agent."

The Telegraph in 2008

[Ferrit]

Gentleman and a scholar.

The club is deffinitely worse off without Johns involvement, such a shame.

[Jimmy612]

It's so completely ridiculous the way one of the best chairmen in English football has been treated by those pathetic owners we now have.

How could they not see that he is a real football man with a real passion for the game, and an outstanding knowledge of our football club.

It's very rare on this MB that every poster on here would unify in one opinion, but I think we can all agree that BRFC has lost a vital asset to the club.

Thankyou John, true gentleman

[Lytham]

I have huge respect for John Williams.

He is probably the single person most responsible for Rovers maintaining a decade or so in the top flight.

[chocky]

Nice one thanks John..

[K-Hod]

Showing his class, in spite of everything that happened following the purchase of the club.

BRFC legend.

[Mercer]

IMO, puts the Venkys, Anderson and Kean to shame, showing them what what they are.

No one pretended he was perfect and he didn't get everything right, however, sincere with a touch of class.

[modes98]

JW to me is Blackburn Rovers

I couldn't agree more and my real lack of enthusiam for football in the last month of so has I think stemmed from JW departing and the mess our club is in.

JW is a proper man in a industry which has lost a most of them in favour of money and fame grabbers.

[philipl]

We desperately need his wisdom and authority in the predicament we now find ourselves in.

Awful decisions by the Rao family to let one of the best people in football go like that.

[onlyonejackwalker]

Apparently JW 'lost interest' in his role. Eight weeks after new owners arrived. Ok we believe you.

Thanks for everything and all your efforts John, the Rovers were once a very classy club and I am appalled at how you have been treated.

[Iceman]

""In 20 years of working in football I have not come across a chairman as impressive as John Williams," said Bayram Tutumlu, Laudrup's agent."

The Telegraph in 2008

[AHoyle90]

Shows the class of the man to give a reply, also seems very down to earth.

John Williams, you will be sorely missed.