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

[roverwhelmed]

WHY IN GODS NAME DONT THEY JUST SIMPLY TALK TO US,THE FANS...THE REAL LIFEBLOOD OF THIS CLUB?!!!

So much misunderstanding could have been avoided,so much good will and knowledge could have been gained.

It would be brilliant if they would at LEAST meet with our fans forum. I imagine they are pretty scared of the reaction they will get at the moment, but it would do the world of good. All of them in a room, no cameras, no press, just telling us how it is. Maybe unrealistic

I am so gutted that they let JW go by default, it'd feel SO much better right now if we knew he was up for their plans because he had our trust in a heartbeat.

I find it very difficult to believe a word they say.

[insiderover79]

Firstly thanks Ste B for giving me permission to post this reply :-)

First and foremost, I have supported Rovers for 23 years now and feel as much pain and worry over our current plight as any other supporter, second I think it is fair I share what I can with fellow supporters.

I contacted Nicko in early september to tell him the company I work for had been approached by a rival bid to Mr Syed, they had approached us, a top lawyer and a sports agency and PR agency. I was asked if Jerome Anderson was involved and initially I was not aware of his involvement. I checked and confirmed to Nicko I knew him to be involved in some way with the planned bid though it took a time to see his involvement. As time developed I could not post or contact people massively as it was more than my job was worth.

I cannot give specifics but the owners we now have are not in this for a laugh, they do have money and do have plans that are in the clubs mid to long term best interests.

The decisions to remove Sam and allow JW to leave I cannot comment from a professional point of view, but I was saddened as a supporter about JW and baffled why a higher profile manager wasnt employed to replace Sam.

The future hopefully will be Premier League for us, but relegation though financially painful will not crumble us.

[Blue n White Rover]

Firstly thanks Ste B for giving me permission to post this reply :-)

First and foremost, I have supported Rovers for 23 years now and feel as much pain and worry over our current plight as any other supporter, second I think it is fair I share what I can with fellow supporters.

I contacted Nicko in early september to tell him the company I work for had been approached by a rival bid to Mr Syed, they had approached us, a top lawyer and a sports agency and PR agency. I was asked if Jerome Anderson was involved and initially I was not aware of his involvement. I checked and confirmed to Nicko I knew him to be involved in some way with the planned bid though it took a time to see his involvement. As time developed I could not post or contact people massively as it was more than my job was worth.

I cannot give specifics but the owners we now have are not in this for a laugh, they do have money and do have plans that are in the clubs mid to long term best interests.

The decisions to remove Sam and allow JW to leave I cannot comment from a professional point of view, but I was saddened as a supporter about JW and baffled why a higher profile manager wasnt employed to replace Sam.

The future hopefully will be Premier League for us, but relegation though financially painful will not crumble us.

I love you.

[imy9]

Your last line has brought genuine comfort thank you for the info.

[chaddyrovers]

The owners have to get rid of JA and Kentaro as advisors!

Then appoint a decent Chairman who will run the club from the UK. Also somebody who will talk to the fans and will meet the fans aswell.

Then sacked SK in the summer and appoint a manager with experience and PL knowledge. Let the Chairman conduct the search for the New Manager and create a shortlist from which He and the owners will decide who to employ.

Then set out a five year plan for the future with the manager, chairman and the owners all sitting down and discussing the way forward! Set a transfer budget and a list of players who we want to sign and sell the players who we don't want.

This is the way forward for our club.

[philipl]

I don't really care at the moment what is happening in the shadows, all I care about is remaining in the pl then we can look at Kean, communication and anything else.

Phillip- under the trust- whom we should trust remember, they hired Anderson to flog the club and paid him for it, that's how desperate they were to sell, so how could we be safer in their hands? They even allegedly kept the Benni money when it should have been invested into the club, regardless of the mistakes that they have made Venkys will want Blackburn Rovers to be successful, if you know Indian culture then you will know why.

There is a straight split here and the two conflicting versions of whom JA was hired by cannot both be right.

The people who would have done the hiring have flatly rejected any suggestion of the Rovers/Trust hiring JA. Inside Rovers' post states: "I contacted Nicko in early september to tell him the company I work for had been approached by a rival bid to Mr Syed, they had approached us, a top lawyer and a sports agency and PR agency. I was asked if Jerome Anderson was involved and initially I was not aware of his involvement. I checked and confirmed to Nicko I knew him to be involved in some way with the planned bid though it took a time to see his involvement." That points to Anderson working on the bidding side, not the selling side. There could be more legal threats if anyone suggests he was working for both sides at the same time.

Even so, Anderson probably took a finder's fee from both sides and I have heard it suggested he made as much as £4m in total for the deal- no other indication if that is true; nicko said Walter Hubert would have got £1m for finding Dan Williams.

The position of the Trust did change dramatically at the end but it was nothing but nothing to do with JA.

The Rovers' finances did worsen a lot which resulted in Benni's transfer fee being absorbed by new contract payments to other players so it was re-invested into the club if you want to put it that way.

As for Indian culture, I'd be careful with that- there are many Indian cultures and individuals do not conform to national stereotypes any way. I know some old money Indians who are not best pleased by the "ambassadorial" football ownership role of the Rao family thus far- "they are letting the side down".

Whilst I am quoting Inside Rover- this bit is important: "The future hopefully will be Premier League for us, but relegation though financially painful will not crumble us. " in a truly fantastic surprising way.

[47er]

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.

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.

This was always my starting point. But there was no reason why we couldn't have been sold to Venkys with the manager/admin structure left intact is there? No logical reason anyway.

Its a pity a new owner couldn't have been found at the end of the season. Sam would have gone off to Qatar, there would have been time and opportunity to find a real manager and players that would actually add something on the pitch.

Instead we have had mistake upon mistake, compounded by long periods of silence from the owners. I hate a lot of modern jargon but we feel disconnected. We don't understand why things have gone so wrong.

Finally, I disagree with you that we might have found a gem in Kean. We have found a lemon--even you are at a loss to explain the Myles Anderson one. If in doubt , the obvious explanation is the one to go with--------he's a puppet.

As will be the new chairman. As will anyone who wants to keep their job at Ewood.

[RoverInverness]

'philipl'

...another fan who might have accepted nicko's posts as gospel before and now probably reads them as spin.

If nicko really is acting as a spin doctor for Venky's it can only mean that he has sources within their camp that he views as valuable and that he wants to keep sweet. Whilst that is not unbelievable it would also mean his half hearted 'criticisms' of the regime (marradonna=daft & Jerome's son=black mark) are just a mask so that he appears to be giving balanced views without saying anything too controversial, and thus damaging his new sources. That also would mean Venky's are paying attention to this board (which I can believe) and they actually give a toss what the fans think (which I don't believe). The conspiracy theory that nicko is deliberately trying to spin this as an agent of Venkys is not easy to buy.

However, the alternative is also difficult to swallow. Can Mr. Nixon really not see any huge problems at the club? Does he really consider the opinion of BPF as mere mud-slinging from people with connections to the old regime? We all know how much he hates Philip - but I remember a time when even Mr. N had respect for his financial insight - now it's just dismissed as nonsense. Could an experienced football journalist really, honestly believe that sacking Alardyce and replacing him with Kean was a shrewd move?

Nicko as spin doctor is a dark, many layered conspiracy that's hard to believe and also stinks. Nicko as thick is just not true.

[modes98]

When they talk there is contradictions - they have also not kept their word on the management.

I don't think they have kept their word on anything apart from fully backing Steve Kean, ironically the one thing I wish they hadn't kept their word on.

[Mercer]

A huge concern in all of this, is the sharp erosion in supporters' feelings for Rovers.

Never have I seen such indifference develop over such a short period of time.

Many people I've spoken with this week, now just seem to accept that Rovers' fate is relegation and shrug their shoulders. Seemingly, they aren't too bothered - that emotional attachment has been severed. This might explain why protests were not more vocal or sustained on Saturday when we were 2-0 down and really struggling.

Perhaps spookily, in line with the season ticket poll on this MB, about 50% either wont renew or are feeling unlikely to renew season tickets.

The consensus is that it's bad news after bad news where Rovers are concerned and, seemingly, there is little hope to cling on to.

[OJRovers]

What is sad is that we've been crying out for owners with ambition for years now. It sounds like the new owners do have a mid/long term positive plan.

I can't help feeling we could miss out because they've made some shocking short-term decisions. The main being taking external advice when they had such a knowledgable person (JW) already at the club.

[AggyBlue]

Whilst I am quoting Inside Rover- this bit is important: "The future hopefully will be Premier League for us, but relegation though financially painful will not crumble us. " in a truly fantastic surprising way.

There's every indication that the support would cumble though.

How many would return in later, better seasons is anyones guess.

[imy9]

There is a straight split here and the two conflicting versions of whom JA was hired by cannot both be right.

The people who would have done the hiring have flatly rejected any suggestion of the Rovers/Trust hiring JA. Inside Rovers' post states: "I contacted Nicko in early september to tell him the company I work for had been approached by a rival bid to Mr Syed, they had approached us, a top lawyer and a sports agency and PR agency. I was asked if Jerome Anderson was involved and initially I was not aware of his involvement. I checked and confirmed to Nicko I knew him to be involved in some way with the planned bid though it took a time to see his involvement." That points to Anderson working on the bidding side, not the selling side. There could be more legal threats if anyone suggests he was working for both sides at the same time.

Even so, Anderson probably took a finder's fee from both sides and I have heard it suggested he made as much as £4m in total for the deal- no other indication if that is true; nicko said Walter Hubert would have got £1m for finding Dan Williams.

The position of the Trust did change dramatically at the end but it was nothing but nothing to do with JA.

The Rovers' finances did worsen a lot which resulted in Benni's transfer fee being absorbed by new contract payments to other players so it was re-invested into the club if you want to put it that way.

As for Indian culture, I'd be careful with that- there are many Indian cultures and individuals do not conform to national stereotypes any way. I know some old money Indians who are not best pleased by the "ambassadorial" football ownership role of the Rao family thus far- "they are letting the side down".

Whilst I am quoting Inside Rover- this bit is important: "The future hopefully will be Premier League for us, but relegation though financially painful will not crumble us. " in a truly fantastic surprising way.

The bit you highlighted and then gave your interpretation on is exactly that an interpretation, Nicko having checked has said JA was hired by the trust and paid by them. With the threats of litigation on here that is a bold statement is it not as if it was untrue...you know the consequences.

Secondly the 2nd highlighted bit 'fantastic news' which is 'surprising'- if you listen to Nicko he has consistently said this IS the case and reiterated it before your posts this afternoon, if anything Nicko's credibility has shot up.

[Stuart]

Insiderover: I think it would be good to hear such assurances from the owners. Knowing they would stick with the club, possibly even fund a promotion attempt, would do wonders for fan morale. It might even enhance their reputation. But we also need to be hearing this from a credible figure at Rovers. I can only think of Tom Finn at the moment though until we have a new chairman in place.

Having read the last few pages I'd like to thank Nicko for several frank and honest posts, without the recent personal jibes. I doubt he's concerned about his credibility with a bunch of Rovers fans on a MB but he does deserve credit for that.

[beerwins]

Insiderover: I think it would be good to hear such assurances from the owners. Knowing they would stick with the club, possibly even fund a promotion attempt, would do wonders for fan morale. It might even enhance their reputation. But we also need to be hearing this from a credible figure at Rovers. I can only think of Tom Finn at the moment though until we have a new chairman in place.

Having read the last few pages I'd like to thank Nicko for several frank and honest posts, without the recent personal jibes. I doubt he's concerned about his credibility with a bunch of Rovers fans on a MB but he does deserve credit for that.

Why on earth would the owners be talking about pushing for promotion before we are even relegated

I dont want to hear them give any kind of talk about a promotion push until we need to actually need to be promoted.

I dont think that would do any good at all, people already think they are insane.

[broadsword]

Knowing that Venky's would stick with the club would probably make morale worse.

[philipl]

The bit you highlighted and then gave your interpretation on is exactly that an interpretation, Nicko having checked has said JA was hired by the trust and paid by them. With the threats of litigation on here that is a bold statement is it not as if it was untrue...you know the consequences.

Secondly the 2nd highlighted bit 'fantastic news' which is 'surprising'- if you listen to Nicko he has consistently said this IS the case and reiterated it before your posts this afternoon, if anything Nicko's credibility has shot up.

Well that is your way of reading my post.

I think most fans are reading it differently and certainly anybody who has direct contact (or indirect contact they trust) with anybody involved in Rovers ownership or management over the past few months would not read it that way either.

[nicko]

Just to repeat. It's a subtle issue but maybe needs repeating.

Jerome Anderson - among others - was looking for a buyer for Rovers.

Turns out Venky's were not the only people he tried to get intererested. It was a process that went on for some time. In that period we had at least two other Indians who were brought in by other middle men.

Jerome Anderson's company was paid for finding the right one. As you would expect.

Venky's were using Kentaro to find them a club - Rovers was among a handful of those options. In the end they did the deal because the club and the price was right for them.

In the end they got together.

The previous Rovers owners were clearly happy to pay anyone a bounty to find a buyer. Some approached the club themselves, others were introduced.

THAT is why agents make their money and earn it. They make deals happen. Like this one.

To attempt to turn them into bogey men is laughable.

[Ste B]

Just to repeat. It's a subtle issue but maybe needs repeating.

Jerome Anderson - among others - was looking for a buyer for Rovers.

Turns out Venky's were not the only people he tried to get intererested. It was a process that went on for some time. In that period we had at least two other Indians who were brought in by other middle men.

Jerome Anderson's company was paid for finding the right one. As you would expect.

Venky's were using Kentaro to find them a club - Rovers was among a handful of those options. In the end they did the deal because the club and the price was right for them.

In the end they got together.

The previous Rovers owners were clearly happy to pay anyone a bounty to find a buyer. Some approached the club themselves, others were introduced.

THAT is why agents make their money and earn it. They make deals happen. Like this one.

To attempt to turn them into bogey men is laughable.

I dont see how anybody could have a problem with the scenario above - its the same principle of selling your house

However, the issues around the continued involvement of Kentaro scares many of us.

[philipl]

Just to repeat. It's a subtle issue but maybe needs repeating.

Jerome Anderson - among others - was looking for a buyer for Rovers.

Turns out Venky's were not the only people he tried to get intererested. It was a process that went on for some time. In that period we had at least two other Indians who were brought in by other middle men.

Jerome Anderson's company was paid for finding the right one. As you would expect.

Venky's were using Kentaro to find them a club - Rovers was among a handful of those options. In the end they did the deal because the club and the price was right for them.

In the end they got together.

The previous Rovers owners were clearly happy to pay anyone a bounty to find a buyer. Some approached the club themselves, others were introduced.

THAT is why agents make their money and earn it. They make deals happen. Like this one.

To attempt to turn them into bogey men is laughable.

I will accept that as the correct version.

Giving a bounty hunter a finder's fee for finding the bounty is very different from being hired to work for the Trust/Rovers to find a buyer which was the way I think we were intended to read previous posts.

Certainly that is the way imy9 read it-

"The bit you highlighted and then gave your interpretation on is exactly that an interpretation, Nicko having checked has said JA was hired by the trust and paid by them. With the threats of litigation on here that is a bold statement is it not as if it was untrue...you know the consequences." (post 486)

- and he is probably owed an apology by someone other than me.

Hiring Anderson to find a buyer would have meant that he was working in the best interests of the Trust/Rovers even when those conflicted with the best interests of Venky's who had hired him to look after their best interests in buying the Rovers.

I think Rovers fans are well capable of deciding whether Anderson is a bogey or not without being told what to laugh at.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I think Rovers fans are well capable of deciding whether Anderson is a bogey or not

So you'll be giving it a rest from now on then?

[yoda]

I will accept that as the correct version.

Giving a bounty hunter a finder's fee for finding the bounty is very different from being hired to work for the Trust/Rovers to find a buyer which was the way I think we were intended to read previous posts.

Certainly that is the way imy9 read it-

"The bit you highlighted and then gave your interpretation on is exactly that an interpretation, Nicko having checked has said JA was hired by the trust and paid by them. With the threats of litigation on here that is a bold statement is it not as if it was untrue...you know the consequences." (post 486)

- and he is probably owed an apology by someone other than me.

Hiring Anderson to find a buyer would have meant that he was working in the best interests of the Trust/Rovers even when those conflicted with the best interests of Venky's who had hired him to look after their best interests in buying the Rovers.

I think Rovers fans are well capable of deciding whether Anderson is a bogey or not without being told what to laugh at.

Philipl, the bit in bold, why do you think he was contracted to work in the best interest of the trust/rovers.

He was working as a saleman on a commission basis ie working in the best interest of making a buck for himself, you are not naive, why play on supporters concerns/worries in this way, the deal was done.

Hard as it is to take what is happening at the moment its time to move forward.

ps, unless you can find a way of having the deal undone!

[nicko]

However, the issues around the continued involvement of Kentaro scares many of us.

Why would a company that depends on having a good name to sell TV rights and marketing rights be seen as some sort of worldwide crooks?

It is too bizarre.

These people used to do deals with Rovers for TV rights in Europe. They have a good name in their business.

I would imagine everybody involved in buying the club is sweating just now - as much as the fans. The owners would look daft if Rovers go down, their advisers and agents would be sick as dogs too. These people are not in it for ridicule.

That is the beauty of football. Nothing is certain.

If Kentaro, SEM or whoever can find good players for the club it SHOULD be an advantage, not something to be scared about.

They have to deliver that part, but why the fear that there is a problem here?

It's not like we are talking about gun runners, triads or drug dealers here. This is legit money with visible people. You may not know them, they are foreign. But consider the alternatives.

[Stuart]

Why on earth would the owners be talking about pushing for promotion before we are even relegated

I dont want to hear them give any kind of talk about a promotion push until we need to actually need to be promoted.

I dont think that would do any good at all, people already think they are insane.

I'm talking about assurances they won't asset strip and leave us in the s-h-one-t. Which is the thing that fans fear most.

Knowing that Venky's would stick with the club would probably make morale worse.

That's pretty immature Bryan. But I accept the owners have pushed you to that opinion.

There was no guarantee under the Trust that we wouldn't end up here. Maybe not this season but soon enough. There are a lot of rose-tinted spectacles being worn on several threads at the moment.

We need to stick with the club and hope we don't get relegated. And if we get relegated, we have to hope then stick with the club. (if Nicko and Insiderover are to be believed then our owners do have cash and don't want to fail).

We need to stick with the club to, and with each other!

[DanLad]

I'm always interested in what you have to say, Nicko, and what you are saying above all makes sense.

I don't like the 'look at the alternative' argument (although, again I can see your point). This is a politician's argument. Don't look at what I'm doing, just imagine how much worse you'd be with the other lot. Well, I want to know what is going on.

The argument is akin to the 'it's the previous administration's fault' which it seems to me has also surfaced recently.

I'm not sure what to think in a lot of regards about the owners, agents etc. I don't think it looks good thus far, though. Fingers crossed it's just teething problems whilst things get up and running!