[Archived] Tom Finn Leaves Rovers

[PAFELL]

Oh get over yourself...

You enjoy being the harbinger of doom don't you.

It's a new era..I'm sad Tom Finn is going but,as he himself points out (far more magnanimously than you) it's the start of a new era.

These things happen,go and suck a Werther's you miserable old sod.

Maybe it is time you woke up to reality. Do you not remember the offer document - (anybody have a link to that document) - to the share holders. where they were all assured about the management structure being kept in place. Sam, JW and now Tom Finn being sacked proves one thing - the offer document was nothing but a lie. This shows in my opinion that venkys are not people to trust. Walker Trust have also some questions to answer as well. After all they accepted the document.

But others on here also need to wake up. Venkys are not people who like being told / advised by supporters or any other of the old regime what to do. They can get rid of the management - as they have done. But dealing with the supporters is another thing. It makes their ' good will / thank you, gift' to the supporters v wolves nothing more than a bribe.

You are right on one aspect, it is a new era. The era is called the tale of the lies and mistrust of the owners.

They have done nothing at all to win over the supporters of Rovers.

He wouldn't have left had the Venky's not bought the club. So whether he was fired or his position made untenable is irrelevant IMO, it's down to Venky's.

What else can they dismantle?

It would not surprise me if their next target is the Jack Walker statue. Supporters singing his name must really rile venkys.

[PAFELL]

Messed up?

Sacked Allardyce. Replaced with Kean. PREMIER LEAGUE STATUS STILL INTACT. Failure? NO

John Williams resigns.

Tom Finn resigns.

Any business/owners want their own people at the helm, why do Venky's have to be any different? Failure? NO.

Subsidised Wolves Tickets. Failure? NO.

FREE £10 vouchers for every fan travelling to Wolves. Failure? NO.

Spent £5million and secured Samba, Robbo, Nelsen on long term contracts. Failure? NO.

Looking to tie down Junior Hoillet on a long term contract. Failure? NO

Looking to buy Jermaine Jones. Met his wage demands for the loan to initally take place. Failure? NO.

So where have they messed up?

Have you also forgotton the offer document to the share holders. Venkys telling the truth and keeping to their commitment in the takeover offer- FAILED

If you really believe that JW and Tom Finn wanted to leave Rovers, then I'll have some of what you're on, if you think that gimmicks of the Wolves tickets and freebies blinker the fact that we were drawn into a relegation issue because they failed to understand the footballing culture and what is neccessary to be successfull in the Premier League, sacked a perfectly good manager, gave out extended contracts to certain players, some of whom you have mentioned, many you havent, put a complete novice in charge as manager, reduced the backroom staff including the academy which is at its most productive for decades. Now what else have they failed on?

Oh yes, the downright lies and contradictory statements which proper football people over the whole country have commented on in both the media and on television and the major statement upon purchasing the club was that 'all the management structure would remain in place'

Just goes to show how untrustworthy they are showing themselves to be. I would also want to hear from the The Walker Trust as they accepted the document. The shareholders must feel robbed.

[chaddyrovers]

Thankyou Tom Finn for the great job you did at rovers!

[PAFELL]

I'm referring to the people who have taken over from Williams/Finn at the helm not Venkys. Venkys have every right to employ these people and run the business the way they see fit. I agree Williams and Finn have been magnificent but who can say the new people won't be? I'm not getting into pros and cons of Venkys I'm merely pointing out they can run the business any damn way they like!

You are right venkys can put who ever they want in place to run the club. But they should of also said that this was what they were going to do. When they made their offer to buy the club. They should have said at the beginning that they will want to remove the manager and other senior staff at Rovers and put our own team in place. It must have been an issue at the beginning of the takeover talks, for the 'retaining of the management structure to remain in place' to have been even remotely mentioned.

Not being a lawyer etc, I would be interested to know if the offer document was/ is a legally binding document. If it is then Venkys have breached it. Sadly it wouldn't make the takeover null and void.

Looks like I was wrong earlier, it does appear that a another senior appointment is going to be made in the very near future (thanks BPF, your post prompted me to check).

This next bit is pure guess work but maybe the board restructure and not sacking Kean means that they are looking to bring in a director of football? Kean left to manage the team and the DOF deals directly with the owners, the DOF in essence becomes Venky's "football" adviser, this coupled with Hunt looking after the none playing side of the business and Paul Agnew as PR Director.

As the clock cannot be turned back. In your opinion would that be good or bad for the club.

[Tom]

Don't worry Tom.

My tongue was buried firmly in my cheek when I was typing that.

Good stuff mate, my head is basically mush at the minute so it may have sailed over it!

Out of interest will you be keeping your communication channels to the club open once you make your big move?

[67splitscreen]

Maybe it is time you woke up to reality. Do you not remember the offer document - (anybody have a link to that document) - to the share holders. where they were all assured about the management structure being kept in place. Sam, JW and now Tom Finn being sacked proves one thing - the offer document was nothing but a lie. This shows in my opinion that venkys are not people to trust. Walker Trust have also some questions to answer as well. After all they accepted the document.

But others on here also need to wake up. Venkys are not people who like being told / advised by supporters or any other of the old regime what to do. They can get rid of the management - as they have done. But dealing with the supporters is another thing. It makes their ' good will / thank you, gift' to the supporters v wolves nothing more than a bribe.

You are right on one aspect, it is a new era. The era is called the tale of the lies and mistrust of the owners.

They have done nothing at all to win over the supporters of Rovers.

It would not surprise me if their next target is the Jack Walker statue. Supporters singing his name must really rile venkys.

The Venky's Board has given assurances to BRFCI that Venky's:

(a) will commit funds on a consistent and systematic basis to future transfer and/or loan activity;

( intends to continue to support the existing management team and staff, and that it is committed to

the future development of, and investment in, the Club’s academy and youth infrastructure;

© will continue to support, promote and extend the Club’s local community and CSR activities (VH

and its subsidiaries have their own trust engaged in significant charitable work);

(d) will seek to extend the Blackburn Rovers name and brand into India, the rest of south-east Asia

and beyond;

(e) will seek to develop and improve commercial performance across sponsorship, the Club's kit deal

and general merchandising activity;

(f) will seek to enhance the fan experience at Ewood Park itself on match days (and non match

days) and to maximise season ticket sales and any remaining match day ticket sales; and

(g) intends to improve the Club’s media platforms (for example the Club's TV channel) and to

become more active in the social media space).

In line with this, pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, Venky's also has entered into

the following contractual commitments with BRFCI and the Club:

(a) the principal activity of Blackburn Rovers will continue at all times to be that of a professional

football club;

( the current President, Vice Presidents and Honorary Vice Presidents of Blackburn Rovers will not

be removed from those positions before June 2011 without the prior written consent of those

individuals;

© the statue of Jack Walker outside Ewood Park will be kept in a good state of repair and will not be

moved to a different location, obscured or have its prominence diluted without BRFCI’s prior

written consent; and

(d) the name of the stand at Ewood Park currently known as the Jack Walker Stand will not be

changed without BRFCI's prior written consent.

The Board of Blackburn Rovers welcomes Venky’s intentions regarding Blackburn Rovers’ employees,

locations and operation of the Club set out in this paragraph and paragraph 8 below.

Commenting on the Offer, Anuradha J Desai, the Chairperson of Venky's, said:

“We are very proud to be associated with Blackburn Rovers, a team with whom we share many values

and ambitions. Going forward we plan to focus on leveraging the global influence in establishing

Blackburn Rovers as a truly global brand. We will absolutely respect the Jack Walker legacy and will be

actively supporting the organisation to ensure that Blackburn Rovers remains one of the best run clubs

within the Premier League. We are particularly pleased that the deal has full support of the Walker

Trustees, the Chairman and the management team who will of course remain in place with our full

support."

[PAFELL]

The Venky's Board has given assurances to BRFCI that Venky's:

(a) will commit funds on a consistent and systematic basis to future transfer and/or loan activity;

( intends to continue to support the existing management team and staff, and that it is committed to

the future development of, and investment in, the Club’s academy and youth infrastructure;

© will continue to support, promote and extend the Club’s local community and CSR activities (VH

and its subsidiaries have their own trust engaged in significant charitable work);

(d) will seek to extend the Blackburn Rovers name and brand into India, the rest of south-east Asia

and beyond;

(e) will seek to develop and improve commercial performance across sponsorship, the Club's kit deal

and general merchandising activity;

(f) will seek to enhance the fan experience at Ewood Park itself on match days (and non match

days) and to maximise season ticket sales and any remaining match day ticket sales; and

(g) intends to improve the Club’s media platforms (for example the Club's TV channel) and to

become more active in the social media space).

In line with this, pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, Venky's also has entered into

the following contractual commitments with BRFCI and the Club:

(a) the principal activity of Blackburn Rovers will continue at all times to be that of a professional

football club;

( the current President, Vice Presidents and Honorary Vice Presidents of Blackburn Rovers will not

be removed from those positions before June 2011 without the prior written consent of those

individuals;

© the statue of Jack Walker outside Ewood Park will be kept in a good state of repair and will not be

moved to a different location, obscured or have its prominence diluted without BRFCI’s prior

written consent; and

(d) the name of the stand at Ewood Park currently known as the Jack Walker Stand will not be

changed without BRFCI's prior written consent.

The Board of Blackburn Rovers welcomes Venky’s intentions regarding Blackburn Rovers’ employees,

locations and operation of the Club set out in this paragraph and paragraph 8 below.

Commenting on the Offer, Anuradha J Desai, the Chairperson of Venky's, said:

“We are very proud to be associated with Blackburn Rovers, a team with whom we share many values

and ambitions. Going forward we plan to focus on leveraging the global influence in establishing

Blackburn Rovers as a truly global brand. We will absolutely respect the Jack Walker legacy and will be

actively supporting the organisation to ensure that Blackburn Rovers remains one of the best run clubs

within the Premier League. We are particularly pleased that the deal has full support of the Walker

Trustees, the Chairman and the management team who will of course remain in place with our full

support."

Thanks - last day of May today in the UK. Looks like they couldn't wait to remove people.

[imy9]

You are right Pafell, Venkys have done nothing for the fans- 70k is a meaningless gesture... How about season tickets being the cheapest in pl and in football league? New owners arrive and have said existing management will remain- don't like methods of Sam/clashed with Sam they fired him- JW and Finn both left on their own accord- read their statements or are they liars? Or can we only call Venkys liars? In any business people will leave when new management arrives can you name one takeover where management has not been altered? The owners have made some bad decisions IMO but to call them liars is a bit much- as an example when Harry said We are not signing anyone and Spurs signed RVV was he lying or is this part of football?

Also when you bought your house did you tell the previous owners your plans for the next 5 years? Have those plans changed and have you contacted them to explain your reasons for not following through with your initial ideas?

[67splitscreen]

Thanks - last day of May today in the UK. Looks like they couldn't wait to remove people.

By the way the emoticons are not my doing, certain type matches our codes I guess.

[roversmum]

Why is it 'lies' because people leave? They may have made the decision themselves, or it may have been mutual decisions. Things change. In any case, it's the Rao family's decision, as far as I am aware they are the club's owners now. Sometimes new people and changes are needed to move forward. It doesn't detract from the fine service that Tom and John Williams gave to the club, they will always be part of it's history. Obviously fans are going to be upset but this is a new era.

Goodness, all those who keep going on about 'lies' take the biscuit. Have you never changed your minds, or decided that because of circumstances a situation cannot remain the same? I know I have, but then I am only human.

No doubt the usual suspects will be throwing their toys out of the pram and declaring that they will not be buying a season ticket etc etc. Why? The club is still Blackburn Rovers. It's still early days yet. Be careful of painting yourselves into a corner.

[Gav]

So Venkys never said they would keep the management in place?

Never said they were going to buy certain players, then they weren't and then admitted it, were in touch with Marodonna, then they weren't, Mrs D said this in a radio interview, so how is this not getting things right.

Kean has stated that the transfer budget will be huge, then its £5,000,000 plus the proceeds of sales, we will see what the outcome is but these are simple snippets of what both our manager and owner have said in live interviews, so if I have got my facts wrong, the manager and Mrs D are even bigger liars than I am making out.

All you have done in all fairness Gav is argue the toss, whoever posts, but I dont do wind ups, when I played football they tried that on many occassions, I walk away, smile and make them think about when the next tackle comes in, thats my way of handling things, so you wont ever wind me up, I will answer only with honesty, which I have and before you reply back, please disprove what I have posted here, if you cant, then dont bother.

You clearly have an agenda Kelbo in my opinion, I’m certainly not trying to wind you up, but its easy to sling mud to deflect the inadequacies of your so called ‘insider knowledge’.

I’m sick to death of the constant negative spin and innuendo you and a small section of fellow poster put on everything Venkys do.

By the way I’d sack the mole, he/she hasn’t got anything right yet have they? Including such things as Tom Finn leaving, you didn’t break that did you? Or the chap from Leicester arriving? Run of the mill stuff wouldn’t you agree? So don’t pretend to know about transfer etc etc.

I’d like to add at this stage that I enjoy readings Kamys information, often correct and informative, but these other pretenders need to start getting things right, or lose even more credibility in my book.

[Mike Graham]

this was expected but stinks. Venky's are rapidly destroying our Club....will these morons ever learn?

thank you Tom.

[xtp]

Not being a lawyer etc, I would be interested to know if the offer document was/ is a legally binding document. If it is then Venkys have breached it. Sadly it wouldn't make the takeover null and void.

I do have a law degree, although I don't remember much of it. Spent most of it in a pub.

Was the offer document the same as the document quoted by 67splitscreen?

The Venky's Board has given assurances to BRFCI that Venky's

Assurances are definitely not legally binding.

As for whether they were lying, I guess the key one is:

"intends to continue to support the existing management team and staff, and that it is committed to the future development of, and investment in, the Club’s academy and youth infrastructure"

I suppose Venky's would argue that they did support the existing team and staff in January with funds, even if one member of that team departed (Allardyce). Or that they started with the intention to support Allardyce, but when he refused Desai's request to play more entertaining football, they then decided he had to go.

In line with this, pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, Venky's also has entered into the following contractual commitments with BRFCI and the Club:

...

( the current President, Vice Presidents and Honorary Vice Presidents of Blackburn Rovers will not be removed from those positions before June 2011 without the prior written consent of those individuals;

As you'd guess, 'contractual commitments' are generally binding. Although I do wonder what the BRFCI's consideration (a legal term for... oh, it's really not that interesting) was. Its a moot point anyway, since both John Williams and Tom Finn handed in resignation letters. I'm assuming Williams was 'President'? He was normally called Chief Exec so I may have missed something there.

It's noteworthy that they didn't include the manager in this 'guarantee'.

[xtp]

Also when you bought your house did you tell the previous owners your plans for the next 5 years? Have those plans changed and have you contacted them to explain your reasons for not following through with your initial ideas?

It's not quite the same thing.

Or at least, where I live my neighbours don't generally pay money to spend Saturday afternoons camped around my house, cheering and wailing based on how my house is getting on. Though I kind of wish they would...

I'm not sure if we can quite say Venky's have lied, but I do think the way they have dealt with fan relations has been spectacularly poor.

[PAFELL]

You are right Pafell, Venkys have done nothing for the fans- 70k is a meaningless gesture... How about season tickets being the cheapest in pl and in football league? New owners arrive and have said existing management will remain- don't like methods of Sam/clashed with Sam they fired him- JW and Finn both left on their own accord- read their statements or are they liars? Or can we only call Venkys liars? In any business people will leave when new management arrives can you name one takeover where management has not been altered? The owners have made some bad decisions IMO but to call them liars is a bit much- as an example when Harry said We are not signing anyone and Spurs signed RVV was he lying or is this part of football?

Also when you bought your house did you tell the previous owners your plans for the next 5 years? Have those plans changed and have you contacted them to explain your reasons for not following through with your initial ideas?

I wasn't asked, neither did I make any comment or document anything about my intentions. I wasn't obilged to do so. But venkys saying that the management had there full support on completion of the takeover was not the truth.

So when venkys remove the Jack Walker statue from outside the Blackburn end. will this also be received as being ok. Their choice etc. Renaming of ewood Park, the Jack Walker stand would these also be equally received. After all mention of these things are in the same takeover document. If you can 'change' one part of it maybe the rest can be changed at will, also. Which basically means the takeover offer document is just a waste of paper.

I did not say venkys have not done anything for the supporters. I said they have yet to win them over. In my opinion that remains the case.

I am not a lawyer or a business person. So as a basic layman / man in the street, I ask if these type of documents can be changed, altered when ever a person wants to do so, why do we pay lawyers etc to write up such documents?

[Kelbo]

You clearly have an agenda Kelbo in my opinion, I’m certainly not trying to wind you up, but its easy to sling mud to deflect the inadequacies of your so called ‘insider knowledge’.

I’m sick to death of the constant negative spin and innuendo you and a small section of fellow poster put on everything Venkys do.

By the way I’d sack the mole, he/she hasn’t got anything right yet have they? Including such things as Tom Finn leaving, you didn’t break that did you? Or the chap from Leicester arriving? Run of the mill stuff wouldn’t you agree? So don’t pretend to know about transfer etc etc.

I’d like to add at this stage that I enjoy readings Kamys information, often correct and informative, but these other pretenders need to start getting things right, or lose even more credibility in my book.

Now, which insider knowledge were you referring to?

Are you believing you have credibility, that is an honest question, you are unable to qualify the statements you make and appears as thought are bereft of evaluation even when it stares you in the face.

If you look carefully and read my posts, you will clearly see I have refrained from posting information on this messageboard I have been given because it is you who has the agenda, an agenda to try, and I say try as you have yet to succeed, in ridiculing posters on here for doing nothing other than posting information they have been given. BPF along with others have taken some stick, they have got a few things correct, I KNOW, that I have had things correctly told in confidence, indeed, I respect people who feed information to me, if they say its in confidence, so be it.

[PAFELL]

You clearly have an agenda Kelbo in my opinion, I’m certainly not trying to wind you up, but its easy to sling mud to deflect the inadequacies of your so called ‘insider knowledge’.

I’m sick to death of the constant negative spin and innuendo you and a small section of fellow poster put on everything Venkys do.

By the way I’d sack the mole, he/she hasn’t got anything right yet have they? Including such things as Tom Finn leaving, you didn’t break that did you? Or the chap from Leicester arriving? Run of the mill stuff wouldn’t you agree? So don’t pretend to know about transfer etc etc.

I’d like to add at this stage that I enjoy readings Kamys information, often correct and informative, but these other pretenders need to start getting things right, or lose even more credibility in my book.

Cannot understand why you think he has an agenda here. What he mentioned was common knowledge in all the media. Especially about seeking high profile manager / players such as maradona, Beckham.

With regards to 'inside knowledge' I heard from various folk on here about Sam, JW an TF leaving the club quite a long time ago. These events happened. I am one who does not always believe what I hear, yet so far what certain people have said has been correct. I am waiting for something else I have been told to happen - though if this one does not happen I may want to strangle the informant.

I am also not somebody who wants ANY owner of Rovers to fail. If the removal of Sam, JW and TF has a benefical effect on the club then so be it. I will support ANY owner of Rovers if they do right by the club and the supporters.

It's not quite the same thing.

Or at least, where I live my neighbours don't generally pay money to spend Saturday afternoons camped around my house, cheering and wailing based on how my house is getting on. Though I kind of wish they would... OH I ONCE HAD PEOPLE TRYING TO SQUAT IN ONE OF MY PLACES - BUT THEY LEFT VIA A WINDOW. BIT IMPOLITE IN MY VIEW AS THEY DIDN'T WAIT FOR THE POLICE TO ARRIVE!!!!!!

I'm not sure if we can quite say Venky's have lied, but I do think the way they have dealt with fan relations has been spectacularly poor.

[imy9]

I wasn't asked, neither did I make any comment or document anything about my intentions. I wasn't obilged to do so. But venkys saying that the management had there full support on completion of the takeover was not the truth.

So when venkys remove the Jack Walker statue from outside the Blackburn end. will this also be received as being ok. Their choice etc. Renaming of ewood Park, the Jack Walker stand would these also be equally received. After all mention of these things are in the same takeover document. If you can 'change' one part of it maybe the rest can be changed at will, also. Which basically means the takeover offer document is just a waste of paper.

I did not say venkys have not done anything for the supporters. I said they have yet to win them over. In my opinion that remains the case.

I am not a lawyer or a business person. So as a basic layman / man in the street, I ask if these type of documents can be changed, altered when ever a person wants to do so, why do we pay lawyers etc to write up such documents?

Firstly how can you say that its not the truth? At the time of writing it was but have you changed your mind in the past because I know I have, does not make me or them liars.

What on earth have Venkys done for you to suggest that Jack Walker's statue will be removed? That is scaremongering at its worst.

Have a look at XTP's post which highlights how many lies Pafell in the offer document?

Finally you said "They have done nothing at all to win over the supporters of Rovers." Would you not agree that by offering Rovers fans the cheapest tickets in the PL and football league they have done exactly that? Spending 70k on the fans on the last day is seen by you as a bribe not a generous gift to the fans!

My biggest gripe with your post Paffell was that you called the owners liars and your points do not support that at all, example: "Sam, JW and now Tom Finn being sacked proves one thing" TWO of the three were NOT sacked- the other one was paid in FULL when he had months remaining on his deal- JW was given an appropriate compensation deal too- these are not con artists- even though you try to make them out to be.

Why is it 'lies' because people leave? They may have made the decision themselves, or it may have been mutual decisions. Things change. In any case, it's the Rao family's decision, as far as I am aware they are the club's owners now. Sometimes new people and changes are needed to move forward. It doesn't detract from the fine service that Tom and John Williams gave to the club, they will always be part of it's history. Obviously fans are going to be upset but this is a new era.

Goodness, all those who keep going on about 'lies' take the biscuit. Have you never changed your minds, or decided that because of circumstances a situation cannot remain the same? I know I have, but then I am only human.

No doubt the usual suspects will be throwing their toys out of the pram and declaring that they will not be buying a season ticket etc etc. Why? The club is still Blackburn Rovers. It's still early days yet. Be careful of painting yourselves into a corner.

Excellent post +1.

[Gav]

Now, which insider knowledge were you referring to?

Are you believing you have credibility, that is an honest question, you are unable to qualify the statements you make and appears as thought are bereft of evaluation even when it stares you in the face.

Did you, or did you not attempt to persuade me, and other posters, about your insider knowledge, by telling us all about you being the best man at certain someone’s wedding?

You did this several times, yet the information you wanted us to believe wasn’t true and hasn’t happened?

I have no real axe to grind with you Kelbo, in fact I enjoy most of your posts, but this insider knowledge routine isn’t on, especially with the anti venkys spin you keep throwing out. By all means dislike venkys, but don’t tell fibs about them please claiming inside sources, thats tiresome.

As for my credibility? I post opinion 99% of the time, so take it or leave it, I have no insider knowledge whatsoever.

[jim mk2]

Wonderful to watch the apologists for the new regime in full flow. Reminds to bring back the famous photograph of Rovers fans on their annual trip to the seaside.

[booth]

You clearly have an agenda Kelbo in my opinion,

Blimey Gav, that's rich

[imy9]

Nice pic- if you take your head out of the sand and read the document again you will notice that there is nothing in there that constitutes a clear lie.

I try to judge everything on its own merit- Finn has said that he wanted to leave and was NOT fired, take him at his word or is he lying?

[AggyBlue]

As for my credibility? I post opinion 99% of the time, so take it or leave it, I have no insider knowledge whatsoever.

You argue your opinion like it's fact. Over and over.

[jim mk2]

Nice pic- if you take your head out of the sand and read the document again you will notice that there is nothing in there that constitutes a clear lie.

I try to judge everything on its own merit- Finn has said that he wanted to leave and was NOT fired, take him at his word or is he lying?

If you're referring to me I haven't accused anyone of lying. Incompetence, yes, but not lying. Try again, teacher.

[Gav]

Wonderful to watch the apologists for the new regime in full flow. Reminds to bring back the famous photograph of Rovers fans on their annual trip to the seaside.

Allardyce would have had us in the top 4 right Jim?

You argue your opinion like it's fact. Over and over.

Would you like me to change that opinion day to day? Or stick to what I believe in