[Archived] The Pune9 Strikes Back

[SAS]

They are not threatening legal action for speaking out but for people peddling malicious lies with no substance.

I have heard the rumours and if there was ANY evidence then a newspaper would have picked it up by now. I said this before and I'll say it again, Venkys are honourable people and are not fraudsters, doing a very poor job of running a football club, that's clear for all to see but does not mean that people should peddle lies against them.

Venkys aren't comitting fraud though!!

[47er]

They are not threatening legal action for speaking out but for people peddling malicious lies with no substance.

I have heard the rumours and if there was ANY evidence then a newspaper would have picked it up by now. I said this before and I'll say it again, Venkys are honourable people and are not fraudsters, doing a very poor job of running a football club, that's clear for all to see but does not mean that people should peddle lies against them.

Well---can agree with you on all that. The problem for Venkys is the lies they've peddled against us. And they are plenty of them!

[ABBEY]

Well---can agree with you on all that. The problem for Venkys is the lies they've peddled against us. And they are plenty of them!

Nooooooooooooooo .. Honourable people don't tell lies.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I had no input with the 'Pune 9' debate. I was not there nor expected to be.

I did meet the family. I was very impressed with their - yes, I will use the words - passion and commitment to the Club and their knowledge of it. There were a few issues covered but I am not prepared to discuss further private conversation except to say I felt very hopeful that there were good things to come.

You seem a nice person. Oh by the way I've got this bag of magic beans, you wouldn't be interested in buying them would you ? I can offer you a really good price.

[47er]

I had no input with the 'Pune 9' debate. I was not there nor expected to be.I felt very hopeful that there were good things to come.

Interesting use of the past tense there Mum, as in "felt". So you no longer feel there are good things to come?

[Miker]

True , took long enough lol . In other words even mum ain't chuffed !

I don't think anyone is "chuffed" to be honest.

There's a difference between disappointment and outright hatred though.

[Steve Moss]

I'm not at all happy with the way things have gone in the past year. I can see the reasoning behind some decisions but that isn't to say I agree with them. You already know what those decisions are so no point in going over it all again.

I am saddened by the lack of communication with the fans in general. There are issues to be addressed as I'm sure you are more than aware. I had some moments of hope but until I see some changes those moments are past. I do believe the family are here long term but bridges need to be built starting immediately in my view. Procrastination can only result in tears. India is an amazing place but home is where the heart is and the home and heart of Blackburn Rovers is Ewood Park which is as it should be.

You have been staunch in you hopes that the owners would come good. So my hats off to you for your candor. +10.

I have heard the rumours and if there was ANY evidence then a newspaper would have picked it up by now. I said this before and I'll say it again, Venkys are honourable people and are not fraudsters, doing a very poor job of running a football club, that's clear for all to see but does not mean that people should peddle lies against them.

1. Honorable: Not yet established. And in my opinion they have not: 1) followed through on their assurances to the Walker Trust; or, 2) followed through on their pledges to the fans. Coupled with their contradictory statements, they are on shaky ground here.

2. Not fraudsters: I'll reserve judgment when the records concerning debts, cash injections, etc. are released.

3. A very poor job running a football club: Agreed. And I hope they either sell or get their act in gear ASAP.

Well---can agree with you on all that. The problem for Venkys is the lies they've peddled against us. And they are plenty of them!

To be a lie they would have to have known at the time they uttered the statement that it was either untrue or likely untrue or that they were making a statement not knowing whether it was true or not. They have, however, made promises which have not been kept, in my opinion.

I don't think anyone is "chuffed" to be honest.

There's a difference between disappointment and outright hatred though.

Disappointment is a mile marker on the road toward outright hatred. I believe Venkys are rapidly burning up whatever goodwill they may have once enjoyed.

[otto man]

Personally I still feel I can make a difference (and will stay until I feel any different). But come and stand besides me, make a difference together. The waiting list is pretty small and the churn pretty high (I'm sure if it wasn't for Pune, we be in our usual state of having no waiting list).

If you feel you can do better (and that isn't a playground taunt, I genuinely hope you can), than come along and prove it, rather than expecting us to stand aside so you have nothing to be judged against than a set of quitters who walked away when the stakes were upped).

+1 from me!

[Glenn]

They don't seem to have much passion for the supporters, threatening legal action for speaking out!

mind you what would one expect with Indian new money

They are not threatening legal action for speaking out but for people peddling malicious lies with no substance.

I have heard the rumours and if there was ANY evidence then a newspaper would have picked it up by now. I said this before and I'll say it again, Venkys are honourable people and are not fraudsters, doing a very poor job of running a football club, that's clear for all to see but does not mean that people should peddle lies against them.

Does anyone have proof Venky's, the club and/or The Rao's have threatened legal action against any Rovers fans? So far all we've seen is a bunch of the "leak" twitter accounts having removed posts or removed altogether and a whole bunch of supposition about who and why.

If there is, a simple "Yes" will do, we don't need to cause people more problems by discussing it here.

[PAFELL]

Does anyone have proof Venky's, the club and/or The Rao's have threatened legal action against any Rovers fans? So far all we've seen is a bunch of the "leak" twitter accounts having removed posts or removed altogether and a whole bunch of supposition about who and why.

If there is, a simple "Yes" will do, we don't need to cause people more problems by discussing it here.

No proof. Only comments about lawyers looking into some twitter accounts.

You can't ask for a fairer response than that ABBEY.

Have to agree with that Paul. Roversmum has answered her critics.

[PAFELL]

They don't seem to have much passion for the supporters, threatening legal action for speaking out!

mind you what would one expect with Indian new money

Where are people getting this garbage from.

No threats of legal action have come in.

People have just been reminded that putting forward allegations without evidence to back it up. Are putting themselves in danger of legal action.

An allegation could be true - but without evidence to back it up, to prove it to be true, is worthless. More danger to the accuser than the accused. therefore not safe to make the allegation until certain of proof / evidence.

That does not mean people cannot make critical comments about somebody or business. But it has to be made sure and clear that it is their own opinion.

[philipl]

I had no input with the 'Pune 9' debate. I was not there nor expected to be.

I did meet the family. I was very impressed with their - yes, I will use the words - passion and commitment to the Club and their knowledge of it. There were a few issues covered but I am not prepared to discuss further private conversation except to say I felt very hopeful that there were good things to come.

Problem is they are passionately and commitedly wrong.

Well Balaji is, two others I have good reason to believe want to sell and the fourth just wants to hold the family together.

The exciting plans etc are, from everything I hear, effectively just the same as they were 18 months ago when they were first introduced to the notion of buying Rovers and 12 months ago when they bought Rovers.

They were talk back then and remain talk just now.

It seems that on the Rovers, they cannot execute even in their own back yard in Pune.

[thenodrog]

Mum you've dodged the question about 10 times now..

What good have the venkys done and how have they improved us?????

It's the wrong question, Abbey

I'm not at all happy with the way things have gone in the past year. I can see the reasoning behind some decisions but that isn't to say I agree with them. You already know what those decisions are so no point in going over it all again.

I am saddened by the lack of communication with the fans in general. There are issues to be addressed as I'm sure you are more than aware. I had some moments of hope but until I see some changes those moments are past. I do believe the family are here long term but bridges need to be built starting immediately in my view. Procrastination can only result in tears. India is an amazing place but home is where the heart is and the home and heart of Blackburn Rovers is Ewood Park which is as it should be.

You can't ask for a fairer response than that ABBEY.

Yes you can Paul. Although Roversmum lowered her guard and expressed her feelings (albeit rather despondantly imo) she simply did not answer Abbey's question. She gave what I would describe as a politicians answer.

I think a poll amongst supporters would find most supporters could answer those two questions in just three words. 1. None. and 2. They haven't.

[Mr Maureen]

Where are people getting this garbage from.

No threats of legal action have come in.

People have just been reminded that putting forward allegations without evidence to back it up. Are putting themselves in danger of legal action.

An allegation could be true - but without evidence to back it up, to prove it to be true, is worthless. More danger to the accuser than the accused. therefore not safe to make the allegation until certain of proof / evidence.

That does not mean people cannot make critical comments about somebody or business. But it has to be made sure and clear that it is their own opinion.

"This garbage" is coming from Kamy100 heres a line from the post he started yesterday,.........a number of people who have been posting this stuff on Twitter are now subject to legal action.....

Ask Kamy100 to explain his post maybe ?

[philipl]

Pafell.

1. I am not subject to any threats or legal action.

2. Because I am not it doesn't mean others are not.

That is all I can say and it is all you can say as well.

[PAFELL]

Pafell.

1. I am not subject to any threats or legal action.

2. Because I am not it doesn't mean others are not.

That is all I can say and it is all you can say as well.

Fair point. I am just commenting that people have to be careful that what they post has evidential support. If any of us want to make an allegation against anybody, we have to be very certain on our own position and have evidence to back it up.

Kamys comment was not intended to say we cannot make critical comments about the owners etc etc - instead it was about making allegations without proof, which could be detrimentle legally to those making the allegations. Kamy has basically said, people are monitoring what is being said on messageboards and social networks etc. I read it as a warning - be a critic of the owners / manager etc, is ok. But allegations etc, without evidence, is not ok.

[John]

David Conn from the Guardian was asking for one of the Pune 9 to step forward to share their thoughts with him - has anyone done so?

Previously, Conn wrote some interesting articles on Rovers under the Trust ownership, don't think he has done anything recently (which I am aware of).

He appeared that he wanted to speak with someone ASAP, presume he is putting together an article....

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Regarding the FF, we are all aware that we will be graced with Venky's presence very soon,has any formal invitation been forwarded to them to meet you all in Blackburn and talk about our problems and concerns?......................

Is there anyone on here who is a member of the FF prepared to answer by humble question?

[Tom]

David Conn from the Guardian was asking for one of the Pune 9 to step forward to share their thoughts with him - has anyone done so?

Previously, Conn wrote some interesting articles on Rovers under the Trust ownership, don't think he has done anything recently (which I am aware of).

He appeared that he wanted to speak with someone ASAP, presume he is putting together an article....

I got back to him on twitter to tell him I went and what sort of thing he was after and in what context, didn't hear back.

Garners, the question has been asked to the club, hopefully we will hear back.

[glen9mullan]

I got back to him on twitter to tell him I went and what sort of thing he was after and in what context, didn't hear back.

Garners, the question has been asked to the club, hopefully we will hear back.

I do have his email address if you want it mate?

[Paul]

Yes you can Paul. Although Roversmum lowered her guard and expressed her feelings (albeit rather despondantly imo) she simply did not answer Abbey's question. She gave what I would describe as a politicians answer.

I think a poll amongst supporters would find most supporters could answer those two questions in just three words. 1. None. and 2. They haven't.

By expressing her feelings she gave an open and honest answer, far more interesting and important than a list of achievements, failures and hopes.

[jehrover]

The supporters who didn't travel to India and meet the owners STILL haven't been told exactly what was said in their meetings with Balaji Rao and whoever else they met.

The very short transcript that was distributed a week after the Pune 9 returned to the UK told us nothing of any use or importance. All the stuff about them caring about the club, knowing about its history, being passionate about Blackburn Rovers, wanting to grow it in India etc. was rather pointless, as it was nothing new. We'd heard it all before.

Surely one of the 9 either recorded or wrote down exact minutes of the discussion? Considering it was of such importance and that these 9 people were supposed to be representing the interests of every Rovers supporter not fortunate enough to be invited, it would surely be very strange indeed if nobody felt the need to chronicle the exact conversation? Who said what? Who asked which questions? What were the responses?

Unless the conversation WAS recorded, in that case why has a document not been uploaded so that supporters can see for themselves exactly what was said? That would make a lot more sense than the couple of paragraphs that were agreed upon by the Forum and which was frankly a complete waste of time to read.

[jehrover]

Yes you can Paul. Although Roversmum lowered her guard and expressed her feelings (albeit rather despondantly imo) she simply did not answer Abbey's question. She gave what I would describe as a politicians answer.

I think a poll amongst supporters would find most supporters could answer those two questions in just three words. 1. None. and 2. They haven't.

The problem is that Roversmum and her husband have been Venkyites from the word 'go', and as such will continue to back them no matter what rather than admit their blind faith was misplaced. You can see that there is not one shred of a reason to look at the last 12 months as positive in any way, shape or form for Blackburn Rovers and yet she still refuses to criticise the disastrous regime. Maybe that comes from the free business class flights and a week in a 5 star hotel?

You'll forgive me if I don't take too seriously the views of a couple who up until the Jack Walker era were devout Tottenham supporters.

[roversmum]

Excuse me, I have NEVER supported Tottenham please wash your mouth out

As for the rest - there's no need for it, it is not the case at all.

[Eddie]

I can't help but feel that much of the criticism of the 'Pune9'is the result of jealousy.

Whether or not you agree with the opinions of some of those who partook in the trip, there can be no one on this board who would seriously have turned down the opportunity to travel out to India and meet the owners. That isn't because a free trip to India could be viewed as a once in a lifetime opportunity (although that alone would be reason enough for most to accept the invitation), but also because any supporter would have hoped that they would in some way been able to improve the situation by meeting with the owners and having the chance to express their opinions and concerns.