[Archived] Blackburn Rovers' dealings with influential agent Jerome Anderson comes under scrutiny

[imy9]

Good post Paul, however as every media outlet hates our guts this story would make the back pages IF there was truth in Venkys buying the club with debt.

If I have read correctly Venkys have borrowed against our media rights for this season, so I would be keen to see what happens next year. A simple explanation had been given about money taking a long time to be transferred from India so this was set up- pure guesswork again.

May I suggest sending your email to some national papers to see what gets picked up?

[RovertheHill]

Something doesn't add up. We are being told that there are nefarious forces queuing up to attack Rovers, that within the game there are people happy that we are failing because of what has happened and who we are associated with and we are a laughing stock. Well it seems here is a gilt-edged opportunity to lay into us and as Nicko says nobody has written it? I don't understand these things but why not? They've attacked us about everything else

[Bobby G]

Reading through the thread I feel I feel its deja vu.

Takes me back to 2003 when the Iraqi Minister of Information was at his best.

[John]

I suspect the 2010 accounts will show a loss of a few million, where are they BTW? and it's possible, if 2011 accounts are in the public domain this time next year, they will show losses have increased dramatically this year.

We should not worry these income generating marketing plans will see us just fine. Wonder what the plans are in relation to those? It has gone pretty quiet. You would have thought Venkys would have seized the moment following the takeover.

Our wage bill is likely to be horrendous, these marketing plans will have to be pretty special.

Generally, given their decision making and communications so far, Venky's never seem to act logically or sensibly at all.

[nicko]

On the mortgage thing.

The Sky cash is factored into the financial planning of all Premier League clubs.

Some want to spend it before it actually arrives.

Some go to finance houses who accelerate the process.

Some go to Barclays and make a separate arrangement.

I spoke to two clubs with similar arrangements and they said it is nothing unusual.

One of them advanced some cash just to make their financial report look slightly better.

Any time you do a deal with a bank you have some sort of security at their request or demand.

It stops the football club being silly and over-spending.

Now, from what has actually happened so far - rather than what could happen - the new owners have spent money on players, loan fees, new contracts etc.

Perhaps they have got favourable rates on advancing money...perhaps it fits in with how they run their companies.

There is no story here. If there was some great scandal I am sure someone would have written it.

It is also pretty obvious that Rovers had NO credit or extra overdraft facility under the old regime by the time they left.

That was why there was nearly zero spent in the summer window.

So, some group comes along and puts money in and tries to prop the club up and they get slaughtered for it...

Hmm.

[Parsonblue]

So, some group comes along and puts money in and tries to prop the club up and they get slaughtered for it...

Hmm.

In fairness nicko, before this group came along and propped us up we finished 10th last season - admittedly with an excellent manager and chairman at the helm. Now that we have had the boost of Venky's propping us up and the managerial expertise of Mr. Kean we are one point from relegation and bottom of the form table by some distance. Many of us on this board have an emotional tie to the club that Venky's and Kean don't have. We can see something that we have spent a lifetime supporting - and pouring money into - going down the pan. Is it any wonder that Venky's and Kean are getting slaughtered? Venky's made the decision to get rid of John Williams and Sam, they didn't have to do, and if it all goes wrong - which it is doing - then Venky's and Kean deserve all the stick they are getting and are going to get.

[Kelbo]

In fairness nicko, before this group came along and propped us up we finished 10th last season - admittedly with an excellent manager and chairman at the helm. Now that we have had the boost of Venky's propping us up and the managerial expertise of Mr. Kean we are one point from relegation and bottom of the form table by some distance. Many of us on this board have an emotional tie to the club that Venky's and Kean don't have. We can see something that we have spent a lifetime supporting - and pouring money into - going down the pan. Is it any wonder that Venky's and Kean are getting slaughtered? Venky's made the decision to get rid of John Williams and Sam, they didn't have to do, and if it all goes wrong - which it is doing - then Venky's and Kean deserve all the stick they are getting and are going to get.

Bingo!! 100% correct.

Reminds me of Peter Swales when chairman at Man City, on Malcolm Allisons return as manager, Swales told me he wanted to speak to Malcolm, so he had to make an appointment with his secretary!! The question Swales asked was one which we should be asking now, 'Malcolm, youve spent a ###### load of money, paid Millions of pounds for players (I think Daley was one and Mackenzie who was going to be a world beater in Allisons mind) we are bottom of the league and the diirectors are wondering what you are going to do next?

[nicko]

In fairness nicko, before this group came along and propped us up we finished 10th last season - admittedly with an excellent manager and chairman at the helm. Now that we have had the boost of Venky's propping us up and the managerial expertise of Mr. Kean we are one point from relegation and bottom of the form table by some distance. Many of us on this board have an emotional tie to the club that Venky's and Kean don't have. We can see something that we have spent a lifetime supporting - and pouring money into - going down the pan. Is it any wonder that Venky's and Kean are getting slaughtered? Venky's made the decision to get rid of John Williams and Sam, they didn't have to do, and if it all goes wrong - which it is doing - then Venky's and Kean deserve all the stick they are getting and are going to get.

And the people who owned the club didn't want to spend any money and wanted to sell it.

A rather key part you missed out there.

The previous manager was lumbered with bargain signings and low-grade loans. What have Benjani and Diouf done over the course of the season? What did you expect?

The so-called transfer budget, earned by that outstanding finish was suddenly withdrawn to help that process.

I respect your view because you are a genuine fan.

But sometimes you have to take a step back and look at the big picture.

This is a sticky time, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

[Mattyblue]

How could it have been worse at this present time if we were still under The Trust, Williams and Allardyce?

[tony gale's mic]

And the people who owned the club didn't want to spend any money and wanted to sell it.

A rather key part you missed out there.

The previous manager was lumbered with bargain signings and low-grade loans. What have Benjani and Diouf done over the course of the season? What did you expect?

The so-called transfer budget, earned by that outstanding finish was suddenly withdrawn to help that process.

I respect your view because you are a genuine fan.

But sometimes you have to take a step back and look at the big picture.

This is a sticky time, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

I was far from a fan of the Trust. But fact remains that under them we finished top 10 4 times in the last 5 seasons. Success in football is about far more than just money.

We never came this close to relegation under the Trust. We had a manager who hadn't needed to be involved in a relegation fight since his first season after getting Bolton promoted. Even when he took the reigns from Ince we were comfortably safe in the end. We WOULD have been safe this season with that combination.

The bottom line is that the money that Venkys have provided and will likely be able to provide is not even close to offsetting the incompetent way they are handling club affairs. Maybe if they had a debt free 40 million pot then we'd sign enough decent players in there to make the squad better so we could offset it. But that isn't going to happen.

[Majiball]

And the people who owned the club didn't want to spend any money and wanted to sell it.

A rather key part you missed out there.

The previous manager was lumbered with bargain signings and low-grade loans. What have Benjani and Diouf done over the course of the season? What did you expect?

The so-called transfer budget, earned by that outstanding finish was suddenly withdrawn to help that process.

I respect your view because you are a genuine fan.

But sometimes you have to take a step back and look at the big picture.

This is a sticky time, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

Money don't buy you love.

Nicko, you can try and placate people but at the end of the day Venky's have shown us no respect and have spoken to us like idiots. They have failed to consider the cultural differences between the two countries and have made far too many mistakes along the way. Although given the speed with which some choices have occurred I'm favouring pre-planning over certain situations.

Yes they put money in great, thanks, but I don't see an improvement on the pitch.

[BangkokRover]

Come on Niko get your finger out and turn back time!!

[Lathund]

I suspect the 2010 accounts will show a loss of a few million, where are they BTW?

Published on Jan 1, like I believe they are every year? Was a thread here around that time as well, that's when I got my copy anyway.

[LeChuck]

This is a sticky time, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

You will have to answer that one nicko, because most of us can't see how.

The trust were far from ideal but far better than what we have now. Sure we have more money to spend now, but what's the point when we have incompetent people spending it?

We were a better club with Allardyce and Williams, two very competent people, wheeling and dealing as opposed to Kean/Anderson/Desai spending £6/£7 million. In fact put in that perspective, it shows how much a competent management team is worth.

If you mean it could be worse in the sense we could have ended up with Pompey's owners, or a potentially fraudulent Ali, then maybe you have a point...but it's hardly something we should be thankful for!

[nicko]

It is all hypothetical about what would have happened if there had been NO change. The point is that the Trust wanted to sell. They had turned off the tap.

No point getting misty-eyed on the past. That was the reality of the last year or so.

It seems former owners and former managers suddenly become that much better - like former players.

You will have to answer that one nicko, because most of us can't see how.

The trust were far from ideal but far better than what we have now. Sure we have more money to spend now, but what's the point when we have incompetent people spending it?

We were a better club with Allardyce and Williams, two very competent people, wheeling and dealing as opposed to Kean/Anderson/Desai spending £6/£7 million. In fact put in that perspective, it shows how much a competent management team is worth.

If you mean it could be worse in the sense we could have ended up with Pompey's owners, or a potentially fraudulent Ali, then maybe you have a point...but it's hardly something we should be thankful for!

How many times have I got to remind you that the Trust wanted rid?

So desperate that they brought in the Bogey Man among others to find a buyer.

Any buyer, it would have seemed at times.

[Mattyblue]

Do they look better in hindsight?

I thought Allardyce was the best man for a club like us- no change now

I thought JW was the best administrator in football- no change now.

I thought The Trust cared little for Jack's legacy- defitely no change now.

[tony gale's mic]

If a child was adopted by a convicted criminal, the talk wouldn't be about how it's parents never wanted it in the first place. Similarly using the Trusts actions to try and justify what Venkys are doing now doesn't really make sense.

[rebelmswar]

If a child was adopted by a convicted criminal, the talk wouldn't be about how it's parents never wanted it in the first place. Similarly using the Trusts actions to try and justify what Venkys are doing now doesn't really make sense.

Whoever green lit the adoption is to blame.

Can't help that the psychotic bugger wants a child.

[broadsword]

I still remember Nicko talking about how the Trust were looking at keeping the club on with a new look at funding if they could not sell. Then Venky's turned up. So I'm not sure a "sell the club or it's doomsday" scenario exists. Would the Trust have run the club into the ground had they not sold it? No, I don't think so. Would we now be dicing with relegation had the trust not sold teh club? No, I don't think so (it was not in their interests).

I'm sure the Trust could have given out new improved contracts to existing players (a shrewd move, apparently), got two has-been's in on loan, and bought in two south american youngsters in (after some shenanigans with Red Star Belgrade) if only they'd taken a mortgage out.

Sorry, I'm just not buying it.

[tony gale's mic]

Whoever green lit the adoption is to blame.

Can't help that the psychotic bugger wants a child.

True and the Trust have a lot to answer for IMO. But it doesn't change the fact that person would be unfit to look after a child, much like it doesn't change the view that Venkys are unfit to run a football club.

[rebelmswar]

True and the Trust have a lot to answer for IMO. But it doesn't change the fact that person would be unfit to look after a child, much like it doesn't change the view that Venkys are unfit to run a football club.

I wholeheartedly agree with you on the last part.

The Trust obviously wanted out so they did. One can not blame Venkys for wanting a football club. They can get wholesale blame for ridiculous managnent, decisions and general ineptitude.

Can't blame them for buying the club though. Not like they held pistols to the trusts head abd demanded they sell the club.

[nicko]

I still remember Nicko talking about how the Trust were looking at keeping the club on with a new look at funding if they could not sell. Then Venky's turned up. So I'm not sure a "sell the club or it's doomsday" scenario exists. Would the Trust have run the club into the ground had they not sold it? No, I don't think so. Would we now be dicing with relegation had the trust not sold teh club? No, I don't think so (it was not in their interests).

I'm sure the Trust could have given out new improved contracts to existing players (a shrewd move, apparently), got two has-been's in on loan, and bought in two south american youngsters in (after some shenanigans with Red Star Belgrade) if only they'd taken a mortgage out.

Sorry, I'm just not buying it.

There was talk of the Trust finding money for January if they had not found a buyer. In the end it was just talk.

In the end their desire to sell was all that mattered.

The 'mortgage' stuff was touched on earlier.

Just spoken to ANOTHER Premier League chairman on that subject this morning and his expression was 'most of us do it.' Could not see the fuss.

[rebelmswar]

Just spoken to ANOTHER Premier League chairman on that subject this morning and his expression was 'most of us do it.' Could not see the fuss.

Is his team fixing to be relegated and have no way to pay the loan against collateral that he will no longer be receiving?

[LeChuck]

How many times have I got to remind you that the Trust wanted rid?

Why do you feel the need to do so? Every single one of us has been aware of that for years.

Regardless of that fact, we were a well run club capable of being a stable Premier League side for the immediate future. We all knew that, eventually, we would need new owners. The current owners are a lot worse than the trust, even considering they had pulled funding and wanted rid.

[greco]

seriously nicko, whats your agenda..?

why are you, SO pro venky´s and kean..?

and why do you feel its neccessary to critisize the trust, while trying to get venkys to look better.?

in my view, the picture you are painting, is way to rosy and positve. And im just not buying it.