[Archived] Rumour: Venky's To Sell?

[BangkokRover]

Results dear boy, results.

We beat Wolves and everyone trots off into the Summer evening. Only bad home defeats will mobilise the crowd.

Hope you are right but I can't see it. People seem incapable of separating supporting the players and protesting against owners.

[yeti-dog]

Hope you are right but I can't see it. People seem incapable of separating supporting the players and protesting against owners.

Isn't that because one invariably tends to infect the other..

Whatever's happening 'off-camera' surely the onus is on us,as supporters,to support our team????

[ada2020]

After the longest winless run in Rovers History with no protest I am not sure the Rovers faithful have the stomach for long protest

I dare say you will be over fronting up the protest should any of us find the bottle for it?

Easy to bang a drum and beat your chest sitting in Bangkok.

[BangkokRover]

I dare say you will be over fronting up the protest should any of us find the bottle for it?

Easy to bang a drum and beat your chest sitting in Bangkok.

Just as easy to come on the internet and complain and b1tch about the owners and then do nothing.

[EgyptianPete]

No, that was a response to Preston Blue's comment where he told me to stick my head in a chicken's bum, so don't worry about that.

I think I'll make myself clear about my comments and stance so that you guys can see I'm not disagreeing with anyone but agreeing with everyone.

Venkys have made mistakes. I'm not denying that.

They have not brought in any transfers yet, so I can't defend them on that point either.

According to nicko and various sources, the club is in a mess. I will not argue against that.

I am not defending Venkys or justifying their actions. Until they can prove themselves and take approrpriate actions, such as buying Honda Keisuke or talented players, there is no way I can defend them at all. Actions speak louder than words, and they haven't carried out any actions for me to defend them. So I will not argue with anyone over how incompetent/useless/whatever Venkys are.

I am suggesting that if we want to save our club, we have to do something more than just kick out Venkys, or at least spur them into action. The latter of which most people will object to, so what other options are there? That's what I'm getting at. Do we boycott their products? Sit outside their office? Contact the potential buyers ourselves?

If you guys want to kick out Venkys, you also have to plan for what comes after that. The kicking out is just the beginning, like gumboots said. No point kicking out the Venkys only to end up far worse off than we are (though some people might question if we could possibly get any worse).

Well I agree with the above, Lets look what's happened so far, Venkys bought us amid lots of promises and things were looking up, First mistake partnership with Kentaro, what happened then, first opportunity like it or not sacking Sam and giving the job to Kean was/is the biggest mistake in many a year at Rovers, maybe the idea put to Venkys in the first instance i.e. having the Kentaro mob giving us first dibs on future stars was the clincher, I don't know, however what we do know now is that it hasn't worked, Venkys have found to their and our cost the immense amount of money they have had to give to Anderson and co. Mr's D has took over and by all accounts coming out of Pune she is determined to make something out of this mess, It won't happen overnight although I wish it would, where do we go from here only time will tell, lets hope the meeting in Pune went in our favour, money is made available, if Mr's D is getting Kean out do it now, it will be her decision, I hope against hope that come the first match against Wolves we have some good new additions and not players just to make up the squad, But whatever happens I will never stop being a rovers fan. :rover:

[gumboots]

Just as easy to come on the internet and complain and b1tch about the owners and then do nothing.

I'll ask again just so you can't say you didn't get chance to explain. What exactly do you want us to do? The family live in India. They don't work at their London offices or at Ewood or anywhere else remotely accessible to the majority of Rovers fans. They don't seem to care much about what we think anyway or by now they would not be here. Some fans have tried emailing various addresses they have found. They get a stock answer. Even if we protest at the ground at the first match of the season, they won't be there to see or hear it. Unlike Newcastle and Sunderland fans who made their feelings known to their owners and board because they were meeting at the ground where protests could be heard, our protests dont just fall on deaf ears, they fall on absent ones. We could demonstrate against the manager; that affects the players; we could demonstrate at Ewood or Brockhall; that affects only the players and staff. Tell us what you would do and if it was reasonable protest many would join in. However, for the majority of us, bitching on a message board is about as good as it gets because nobody is or would listening to us if we did anything else.

[philipl]

Whatever happens by way of protest simply has to capture the attention of Sky cameras and capture the attention of the Indian audience.

That is actually all too easy to do.

[tony gale's mic]

I'm with you. The problem is that owning a football club that doesn't play in Europe and is still competitive is not a money making venture nowadays, so the only way we will get Venkys out is for them to hurt the club to the point of at least one relegation.

PS- Who do Venkys think they are? Getting rid of high priced players and replacing them with nobodies? Bringing in an inexperienced manager who almost relegates us?

The trust would never run us that way!

I might disagree with Black Burn's posts, but at least they're built on reasonably logical foundations.

This, on the other hand, is total nonsense.

I'm posting from my mobile and am about to go to Lord's so I'm not able to explain the gargantuan differences between the way the Trust ran us and the way Venky's are ruining us, but I'm sure there's plenty of other posters well capable of doing this should you need it.

[den]

Even if we protest at the ground at the first match of the season, they won't be there to see or hear it.

I wouldn't say there's nothing the fans could do Gumboots. Protests at the ground would certainly put pressure on the owners, or manager, or whoever they were aimed at. I know protests at Man Utd didn't remove the Glaziers, but MUFC is big enough to survive whatever a minority of fans have to say. BRFC is totally different. A half empty ground with those that do attend making their protests heard is a very different environment.

IF rovers fans believe the club is in danger, they should jolly well stand up and say so. Are we real fans or pussies?

[Drunx2002]

The key to turning this whole situation around is for Venkys to take a back seat and let the management and club hierarchy run the club. Even though it would cost a bit to remove Kean and Jensen, I feel it is necessary to get an experienced manager in before the window shuts. Venky's should personally finance the pay off of Kean since they hired him in the first place.

The matches and profile of the club is the vehicle for Venky's raising their profile. An experienced manager and a reasonable transfer budget may turn things around but ONLY if the owners allow him the chance to make his own decisions, clearly set out the transfer budget, and stop dragging him over to India. Yes they are the owners, but surely it is now clear to them that they are making too many mistakes in active management of the club.

At the moment, I don't think protests would work, but the best way of doing this would be to boycott a big 4 away game (probably Utd) where Venkys are holding a party over in Pune. To have a completely empty away end (and Sky commenting on it) would be a good way of showing our displeasure.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Whatever happens by way of protest simply has to capture the attention of Sky cameras and capture the attention of the Indian audience.

Exactley Philipl, get the Media onto it and TV exposure....I cant understand why people fail to realise this is the whole point of any protest?

[BangkokRover]

I'll ask again just so you can't say you didn't get chance to explain. What exactly do you want us to do? The family live in India. They don't work at their London offices or at Ewood or anywhere else remotely accessible to the majority of Rovers fans. They don't seem to care much about what we think anyway or by now they would not be here. Some fans have tried emailing various addresses they have found. They get a stock answer. Even if we protest at the ground at the first match of the season, they won't be there to see or hear it. Unlike Newcastle and Sunderland fans who made their feelings known to their owners and board because they were meeting at the ground where protests could be heard, our protests dont just fall on deaf ears, they fall on absent ones. We could demonstrate against the manager; that affects the players; we could demonstrate at Ewood or Brockhall; that affects only the players and staff. Tell us what you would do and if it was reasonable protest many would join in. However, for the majority of us, bitching on a message board is about as good as it gets because nobody is or would listening to us if we did anything else.

There is are many thing that can be done as an example of the top of my head people coming in 5 mins at start of the 2nd half. Banners, flags, chanting at half time and full time. All the games are live here in Asia where Venkys customers are, of course when games are on Sky this is a perfect time.

We also have members of Rovers staff who we can politely talk to and leave them in no doubt the fans are not happy. This does not mean in anyway be threatening or anything like that.

There is no reason why the above can not be done while cheering on the team.

[gumboots]

The problem is, with every sort of protest that you can suggest like a half empty ground and those who are present voicing their disapproval of the owners, the biggest impact would be on the team on the pitch. We already have a fragile enough team and if we start protesting aginst the owners it'll just look even worse to those players we've managed to hold onto and to any who might want join us. That is always the problem for football fans. Support for owners and clubs is so interlinked with support for players on the pitch that it is almost impossible to demonstarte against one without affecting the other.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

We are like a dog chasing its tail here Gumboots!....the team is backed for the full 90 minutes,any protest takes place inside the ground POST match.

Media coverage is guaranteed.

What is wrong with people?...are you prepared to sit and fiddle while Ewood burns?

[gumboots]

There is are many thing that can be done as an example of the top of my head people coming in 5 mins at start of the 2nd half. Banners, flags, chanting at half time and full time. All the games are live here in Asia where Venkys customers are, of course when games are on Sky this is a perfect time.

We also have members of Rovers staff who we can politely talk to and leave them in no doubt the fans are not happy. This does not mean in anyway be threatening or anything like that.

There is no reason why the above can not be done while cheering on the team.

Which members of Rovers staff don't already know this. Those that can seem to be leaving anyway so they are obviously not impressed either.

[PAFELL]

We are like a dog chasing its tail here Gumboots!....the team is backed for the full 90 minutes,any protest takes place inside the ground POST match.

Media coverage is guaranteed.

What is wrong with people?...are you prepared to sit and fiddle while Ewood burns?

What I do not understand is we have a local Journo who comes on here, who must have read about the fans anger and fustration at venkys. We have Nicko from the mirror who would have read the same. Yet none of them write an article that fans want Venkys out of the club. That we want somebody to buy the club from venkys. There is enough stuff on here to write an article - yet why do they not do it.

[den]

The problem is, with every sort of protest that you can suggest like a half empty ground and those who are present voicing their disapproval of the owners, the biggest impact would be on the team on the pitch. We already have a fragile enough team and if we start protesting aginst the owners it'll just look even worse to those players we've managed to hold onto and to any who might want join us. That is always the problem for football fans. Support for owners and clubs is so interlinked with support for players on the pitch that it is almost impossible to demonstarte against one without affecting the other.

Well now you're changing the argument from "we can't protest", to "we shouldn't protest".

I'm not going to lead any protests Gumboots, but if fans believe that the club is being damaged and they want to have their say, then good luck to them. As for it affecting the team, well Venky's are affecting the team now aren't they? Protest can be for the good.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Its strange Pafell and it leaves you wondering what is really going on,like 99.9% of Rovers fans,I have absolutely no idea anymore.

Totally in the dark.

[Paul]

What I do not understand is we have a local Journo who comes on here, who must have read about the fans anger and fustration at venkys. We have Nicko from the mirror who would have read the same. Yet none of them write an article that fans want Venkys out of the club. That we want somebody to buy the club from venkys. There is enough stuff on here to write an article - yet why do they not do it.

Andy Cryer and Alan Nixon cannot / will not write anything which is overly critical because they need the clubs' long term cooperation to keep the stories flowing. Venky's / Rovers will not react well to open criticism in the printed media........................they probably aren't too happy with BRFCS but that's the joy of being independent!!!!

[booth]

Wasn't that how Liverpool fans kicked out the American duo, or was I wrong?

No it was because they screwed up and they got their judgement in court.

[Black Burn]

Black Burn I apologise if my response is one of those that makes you feel unwelcome on here. That would never be my intention.

I would ask you grasp one thing, it is not realistic for the fans to "find another solution" - I presume by "we" you mean the fans. I think you will find plenty of fans who want to see Venky's leave and who might demonstrate chanting "Venky's out." Unfortunately the supporters can only express their feelings, talk of finding alternative owners is unrealistic and is what makes me question your view. We all understand Venky's will only leave when they wish to - however this should not dissuade fans from expressing their anger and disappointment at the actions of our current owners.

The likelihood of any serious demonstration against Venky's is slim in my view. A very low crowd and heavy defeat to Wolves might stimulate something but I have my doubts.

Yeah, I understand. No, I was just responding to Preston Blue about sticking my head in a chicken's bum, so that wasn't directed at anyone else. My apologies for the confusion.

That is true. I doubt I can find a solution. I was thinking that if we want to do something to save our club, we should stand up and take matters into our hands instead of sitting around talking, that was my logic. Of course it is very difficult for fans to come onboard the world of multibillionaires and actually do something, but I was just asking for ideas, whether realistic or unrealistic.

I am not actually proposing we stage a riot outside the London's branch, that was just an example. The reason I'm asking if you guys can think of other solutions is because I find it hard to think of one myself. Yeah, it might just start off as small talk, but who knows maybe someone in the messageboard might actually do something and save our club?

Thanks for the clarification, Booth. I thought I read somewhere here that the fans kicked the owners out and he was suggesting we learn from Liverpool fans and do the same.

And I'm a guy. Not that it makes any difference, but sentient referred to me a "she", so I thought I would clarify on that.

[gumboots]

Well now you're changing the argument from "we can't protest", to "we shouldn't protest".

I'm not going to lead any protests Gumboots, but if fans believe that the club is being damaged and they want to have their say, then good luck to them. As for it affecting the team, well Venky's are affecting the team now aren't they? Protest can be for the good.

I'm not trying to change the argument at all. I just genuinely do not know what we could or should do to get the message across and force the owners into action. It's like going on strike - you have to do something and often there's little you can do except withdraw your labour, but if you provide a service, you hit those you are there to serve and it does you no good and just makes people think badly of you. I think that any protest that did take place would have to be very well-organised, very specific with everyone including the media briefed very clearly about what the fans' grievances are. It would also have to be very well "policed" by its organisers or risk things going off in the wrong direction and the whole thing becoming more of an embarrassment than a help. It's all well and good saying "Let's protest" Yes, let's but let's also make sure that if/when we do it's effective and really gets across whatever message we want to send in a very specific way.

[den]

I'm not trying to change the argument at all. I just genuinely do not know what we could or should do to get the message across and force the owners into action. It's like going on strike - you have to do something and often there's little you can do except withdraw your labour, but if you provide a service, you hit those you are there to serve and it does you no good and just makes people think badly of you. I think that any protest that did take place would have to be very well-organised, very specific with everyone including the media briefed very clearly about what the fans' grievances are. It would also have to be very well "policed" by its organisers or risk things going off in the wrong direction and the whole thing becoming more of an embarrassment than a help. It's all well and good saying "Let's protest" Yes, let's but let's also make sure that if/when we do it's effective and really gets across whatever message we want to send in a very specific way.

Any protests I've ever seen at Ewood - and there have been a few, have been spontaneous Gummers. The fans at Ewood have seen the back of many managers, so they certainly can be effective. Granted the fans can't get rid of the owners quickly, but they can get their point across to them in no uncertain manner.When the fans finally reach breaking point, they will be heard.

[booth]

The problem is, with every sort of protest that you can suggest like a half empty ground and those who are present voicing their disapproval of the owners, the biggest impact would be on the team on the pitch. We already have a fragile enough team and if we start protesting aginst the owners it'll just look even worse to those players we've managed to hold onto and to any who might want join us. That is always the problem for football fans. Support for owners and clubs is so interlinked with support for players on the pitch that it is almost impossible to demonstarte against one without affecting the other.

So if we are getting beat 4-1 in the first game, and the crowd begins chanting Venkys out you won't join in for fear of affecting the team?

Because if the ###### hits the fan, that's how it will happen. There won't be any planning or thought gone into it. It will be a spontaneous rage of disapproval driven by emotion.

[Paul]

I still feel the best protest would be for everyone to remain in the concourse for five minutes after kick off or at half time