[Archived] Rovers to Play in India - Pre-season

[Mike Graham]

Is Birdy running an Ewood Blues bus to India?

[ABBEY]

Its not Goa-ing that far.

[Ste B]

Is Birdy running an Ewood Blues bus to India?

Nah, the chairman of the Fans Forum has been onto the club to demand they charter a plane though.

[Kelbo]

As it always happens, things which are shown on Tv here about India are always bad things, as this is what attracts the people into watching it. If they were to show a normal persons life in India, it wouldn't be very different to what we do here.

This was also true when the Grenada people interviewed people from the slums of Pune, who obviously are clueless about Rooney et all! Don't be surprised, but the Premier League is the most watched sporting event after cricket, and I'm sure BRFC will soon have a few followers in India.

Grenada? surely Jason Roberts family weren't conducting the interviews!!

[wakinho]

Grenada? surely Jason Roberts family weren't conducting the interviews!!

Apologies, i meant Granada!

[Hughesy]

Article about Rovers/ Venkys cracking India

[Wilsbowski]

Seems to be creating some interest at least

http://www.sportskeeda.com/2011/07/12/mumbai%E2%80%99s-young-boys-sports-club-make-it-to-finals-of-venky%E2%80%99s-rover-stars/

[leerovers1980]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Rovers-line-up-Pune-FC-for-friendly/articleshow/9204170.cms

[cn174]

Has this actually been confirmed by Rovers yet?

[AndyNeil]

Has this actually been confirmed by Rovers yet?

Behave they haven't even mentioned the fact that important members of staff who have worked for the club for over a decade have left, why would the small matter of a match in India be confirmed?!?!?!

[RibbleValleyRover]

Yahoo covering the Rovers to play Pune FC story:

http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/story/cricket.indiaabroad.com/blackburn-rovers-play-pune-fc-exhibition-match-20110713/

[Stevo]

Terrorist attacks in Mumbai (not Pune I know, but might have some impact on the game going ahead) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14141454

[Tom]

I would hope Rovers don't go out there now this Summer, would be silly but I don't think Venkys will want to miss out.

[PAFELL]

I would hope Rovers don't go out there now this Summer, would be silly but I don't think Venkys will want to miss out.

LT (online version) report this morning that the trip is in doubt.

[Hughesy]

Cant see it should affect things too much aslong as security measures are in place for the team.

Englands cricketers went a few year back and they were their playing the number 1 sport of the country.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

This trip is not about Rovers the football club,it's Venky's using Rovers as a marketing tool and advertisement for their business,nothing more nothing less.Take a look at the ridiculous photo's of the player's eating fried Chicken.

This 'Rovers big in India' shyte is nothing more than that....BULLSHYTE.

From LET:

Foreign Office advice states: “There is a high threat from terrorism throughout India. Recent attacks have targeted public places including those visited by foreigners. Following explosions in Mumbai on July 13, major cities in India remain on high alert and British nationals should exercise caution.

“Terrorists have targeted places in the past which westerners are known to visit including public places such as restaurants, hotels, railway stations, markets, places of worship and sporting venues.”

In November 2008, North West MEP Sajjad Karim was forced to flee gunmen who stormed his Mumbai hotel during a terrorist seige.

The England cricket team left India midway through a test series shortly after the attacks which left more than 100 people dead.

Worth the risk anyone?

[Mattyblue]

Of course it is SG. As is this Rovers Academy in Pune- to get Rovers stars of the future? Is it feck, it is for more advertising for their company.

Now, I've no issue with us being a marketing tool per se. Look at Red Bull and their Formula 1 venture. They put their money where their mouth is and their team are at the pinnacle.

However, this lot are just using the massively high profile of the PL for their own benefit, with no improvement for the actual team.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Rovers will ALWAYS come a distant second to their main business and for us Rovers fans that alone is simply unacceptable.

[Hughesy]

Indian fans reaction

[Mike Graham]

Does anyone know of any away fans pubs for the Pune game please. Also any idea on pies, do they do those nice chicken balti ones?

[Stuart]

Indian fans reaction

Interesting.

Some nice comments, some not great. Wasn't impressed with this chappie:

Ashish Pardesi remarks Blackburn Rovers as ‘Desi Rovers’. “I think PFC had a good season last year. They achieved their target of finishing in the top five and I think they will do a considerable job against Blackburn as well. Considering that Blackburn are owned by Venky’s, I call them as Desi Rovers.”

Let's hope that doesn't catch on!

[rogerjonesgloves]

Rovers will ALWAYS come a distant second to their main business and for us Rovers fans that alone is simply unacceptable.

And Abramovic etc all regard the football club as their first priority? Bit of naive thinking. But feel free to bash our owners for it anyway.

[Hughesy]

Looks like its still going ahead - talking about security measures and tickets

[philipl]

Garner disclosing that players are concerned about security

Itis still being pushed as a freebie free-for-all in Pune this morning.

[BangkokRover]

Garner disclosing that players are concerned about security

Itis still being pushed as a freebie free-for-all in Pune this morning.

A day after Blackburn Rovers raised doubts over their visit to India for an exhibition tie following the serial blasts in Mumbai, the Western India Football Association said the match is on and it has received the necessary NOCs from the concerned departments.

The Western India Football Association said the match is on and it has received the necessary NOCs from the concerned departments.