[Archived] Next protest

[J*B]

606 expecting a joint statement from fan sites at 2PM

[John]

I think, perhaps, this discussion can get more complex than it needs to be.

Currently, we dont have an elected body, however the fans forum is the closest thing we have got at the moment - they have also met with one of the owners and had discussions with them (regardless of these being informal/formal).

The Pune trip certainly made the main stream media, in the UK, therefore if the FF decided to make any statement etc then potentially this could have an impact even if the owners are not listening to anyone, I dont think that matters, you can only try.

Is there a feeling (from within the FF) that they cannot speak out because they were treated to a trip away? Are people waiting until we get relegated/enter administration before doing anything?

The football club, in its current state, appears to be a complete mess.

Not meaning to have a go at anyone…….

[bannedwidth]

The pune holiday and the protests have yielded the same result: Bugger all. You worded it very nicely Tom but you were having a go at the protests in that post. Pathetic.

[J*B]

Who is Gareth Jones?

Whoever you are Gareth, your getting terrorised by the presenter. Make your point clearer!

[scotty_beam_me_up]

.

[bannedwidth]

What a shame the protesters ruined all the great work the pune9 started eh?

[AndyNeil]

Who is Gareth Jones?

Whoever you are Gareth, your getting terrorised by the presenter. Make your point clearer!

I think he is from the BRFC Action Group, but don't quote me on that.

[Tom]

The pune holiday and the protests have yielded the same result: Bugger all. You worded it very nicely Tom but you were having a go at the protests in that post. Pathetic.

Not at all, I've spoke to Glen in person he knows my view and so do others, I was never a huge fan of the organised element and thought it needed the anger and spontaneity of the Bolton game to have effect. I have protested when I felt the time was right.

What potentially harmed any further communications was the fact that venky Rao was spooked at Wigan outside the ground, I even pointed out that this wasn't in relation to the organised protests.

Sorry if my message is a bit muddy there

[J*B]

I think he is from the BRFC Action Group, but don't quote me on that.

He said he was.. But then claimed he didn't know anything about a statement bring released from them. This action group is being made to look so, so amateur.

[den]

What potentially harmed any further communications was the fact that venky Rao was spooked at Wigan outside the ground, I even pointed out that this wasn't in relation to the organised protests.

Just more evidence that they shouldn't have come into this arena at all.

[Ste B]

Is there a feeling (from within the FF) that they cannot speak out because they were treated to a trip away? Are people waiting until we get relegated/enter administration before doing anything?

No, and some of the FF have had input into the statement due to be released at 2pm (Though the 2 guys who did most of that arent FF members). I take on board a lot of the criticism that the FF is slow to react - its really due to the bi monthly meeting schedule, but has been something that all are working on. We've since Pune pushed to remove the barriers to talking about football issues with some success (as will be seen when next weeks agenda is published).

IMHO, all groups should try to work together here, which is why its disappointing that at least GlenM has turned down the opportunity to at least temporarily work with the FF. Its what all the Rovers independant websites have managed to do, which is credit to all involved.

[Tom]

He said he was.. But then claimed he didn't know anything about a statement bring released from them. This action group is being made to look so, so amateur.

In fairness I don't think the action group is a body as of yet, my understanding was it was anyone protesting so surely anyone could ring and claim to be from there.

Whatever peoples personal opinions on Glen he should be the front man for it as he has been consistently on record and Done a decent job of it.

[Ste B]

He said he was.. But then claimed he didn't know anything about a statement bring released from them. This action group is being made to look so, so amateur.

Credit there must go to GlenM - but in his absence they seem to lack any structure. I could however be wrong and making the same assumptions about that as others do about the FF.

[Tom]

Just more evidence that they shouldn't have come into this arena at all.

No arguments here

[J*B]

In fairness I don't think the action group is a body as of yet, my understanding was it was anyone protesting so surely anyone could ring and claim to be from there.

Whatever peoples personal opinions on Glen he should be the front man for it as he has been consistently on record and Done a decent job of it.

That's absolutely absurd, what a ridiculous infrastructure! And I thought rovers had a bad system.

[Tom]

Sorry I may be doing them a massive disservice so please don't take my word on it, maybe it is more than that I just understood it as the name for them in the same way the singing section were the blue brigade

[Paul]

Whoa Whoa, the unreserved seating idea was first put to the club by BRISA, as has been said before. It wasn't the idea of the FF as far as I can remember. It really doesn't matter though, does it?

From what I recall the original idea came from Scotty as part of a very fine document he put together in the early days of BRISA. The original proposal was for a cash turnstile into an unreserved area, this was about the time when all ground entry became via ticket only. For me this was the germ of the idea. As den says it's not desperately important.

Without checking I can't be sure but I think a number of other recent (in terms of years) initiatives began many years ago in that excellent proposal.

[glen9mullan]

The word "BRFC Action group" Is not an official or unofficial body. As I said earlier in week I had no imput in press release and I would not have put those words in had I,

Action group is just the name of a FB group where we discuss protest, nothing more nothing less, (All FB groups need a name so people can find them) There is a sack Steve Kean group, but I felt that this was not representative of the supporter aims and a more open group which was mainly for protest attendee's was much better, so that we could gauge numbers and talk to people who attend protest which have been organised.

My stance is the following:

1. I hate the word protest, We are concerned supporters who have been demonstrating to have our voices heard, due to letters, emails, telephone calls being ignored inititallly, this is why we did the first demonstration.

2. The first demonstartion was for the removal of Kean, as we just did not have enough information to focus on anything but Kean, We was hopeful Venkys would see the light, especially after the FF visited Pune just after the Arsenal demonstration and stated that the message had hit home loud and clear and SK was on the brink.

3. As more information has come to light and I have got a better understanding of Venkys, there workings, their failings and general supporter opinion, the focus has changed.

4. My personal aim is to have an elected group of supporters to not only be formed but for them to engage with the owners, board and supporters, to ensure we never have to go down this road again.

5. Protest are now going to be aimed at Venkys, and its upto Venkys and the board to follow through with their promises, set up the meetings they have promised and answer supporters concerns. They have had the agenda for around 5 weeks now, which was published by Nick Harris a few weeks ago, They are aware of the concerns, and we are still waiting for these meetings to be penciled in for them to anser these questions.

6. Protest can stop quite easily if Venkys and the board get a grip of the situation and start speaking to the supporters as promised. We are at the stage were we are running out of olive branch's to give the club, as they have not kept any promises to date.

7. I'm in this for the long haul, Im no-bodies leader, No-bodies elected body and no-ones representative. I organise protest legally, and use my contacts in football, media, Rovers and network sites to ensure we do things legally, and its reported the best way possible. Although some media outlets and of course the Manager and pundits have tried to twist words and put an agenda there that simply does not exist.

8, When the club told me they had took the liberty of putting me forward for FF, I was not very happy about it, as this is not how I think people should be elected to forums or committee's , I do feel very strongly about this. The FF has never once contacted me regarding protest and offered to work with me or other protest organisers to find a common ground to attack these issue's. I personally hate protest and if the club would engage like it promised I would not find myself organising the biggets protest to date come the Fulham match. There has been NO ORGANISED PROTEST FOR THE LAST 7 MATCHES, The club has no excuse we have more than kept our side of the bargain.

9. Some people who protest have different reasons to protest, some want Kean gone, some want venkys gone, some want them both gone and some just aint sure what they want. We are not an elected body and we try to make it always freedom of speech, and to allow people to have a platform to vent their anger at who they wish.

10. I have from day 1 maintained people protest to have their voice heard, and communication is key, Its the club who has the power to end protest by finding ways to accomodate the supporters in their search for the truth and answers. To date although we have had loads of meetings and discussions, the important issues keep gettimg dodged by the club.

11. It was I who contacted the club sponsor and the councillors, and have tried to reach out to every corner of the globe and will continue to do so, I'm currently speaking to other support clubs like the SOS, (Have been for last few weeks) I'm also speaking to investigative journo's, legal teams, The FA/Prem league, Indian competitiors, BRST (Duncun Miller )Other clubs key figures, and god knows how many supporters.

12. Turning up for a protest is just a couple of % of the work going on behind the scenes, and Simon and I have not got a committee of 20 members ro help us with all hands to the pump. (We have also had to start from scratch as we are just supporters)

13. Our strategy has and is having an effect, and although some mistakes have been made, we learn from them. (After all we are just concerned supporters not professional demonstrators). Simon and I both use or own education and career paths to attack the issue's how we sit fit from personal life experiences. Simon is in high profile Management in the council, were I am educated to degree level in business management, and come from an Engineering background, My roles have included working with some of the largest companies in the world, whilst running a successful engineering company for its shareholders, were I made all the business decisions for that company. I have a good understanding of strategy, customer service, negotiations and good people skills. These are the skills and experiences Simon and I call upon when we organise a protest, as this is new territory for us.

I have not listened to what was said on 5 live, but Gaz Jones telephoned me to say they was trying to imply things which was untrue and apparently I got a massive kick in the nuts from 5 live for a statement/press release I have had no imput on, (I'm away)

I do think certain supporters like to just have a pop, and would rather slag people of for trying than actually do something themselves. I guess that comes with the territory. I have had around 20 calls from the media this week and declined to speak to them, as I have always maintained they need to be speaking to all supporters. I did the same at the brock hall protest, I told all the TV camera's to speak to the other attendee's and asked those who attended to take part which thankfully they did.

What I do, I don't do for praise, self promotion, or to be a media whore as some would say, but I do it because I love my club, and no-body else took up the job to do it.

[majorstyre]

Well said Glen...

Your efforts are definately appreciated by me, and hopefully many others of our Club.

Tony

[Paul]

Whoops double post

[Paul]

Interesting Coventry City fans are planning an empty stadium protest on Saturday. Anyone else heard about this?

http://football.uk.reuters.com/leagues/premiership/news/2012/01/05/6978705E-37C1-11E1-BE98-75248033923B.php

I've been googling "save our city Coventry" other than the fans being happy with the manager the issues and inter fan discussions almost mirror exactly all we have been talking about for weeks.

It will be very interesting to see how successful this action is.

[Majiball]

You've got to love it at a time when we all need to be together you're all still squabbling amongst each other, it's exactly what the overlords want and only a bunch of soft southern english people would follow the lead. It doesn't matter whether the fans forum was elected or not and not one person gave a crap about it all until Pune, the second a carrot gets dangled and others also want said carrot you all start squabbling over who's right it is to have the carrot. Action group, FF, it doesn't matter your all rovers at the end of the day and you should be working together to achieve the goals not infighting like school kids.

[Tom]

Well said Majiball (well apart from your little dig which i expect to see in every post from here on in)

[jim mk2]

READ THIS AND WEEP - think piece by PA's chief sports writer.

ROVERS FANS SHOULD RALLY BEHIND THE CLUB

By Frank Malley, Chief Writer, Press Association Sport

You would not a treat a dog the way Blackburn fans have treated manager Steve Kean.

He has been verbally abused and routinely ridiculed for months. The venom in the protests has been frightening, prompting fellow managers such as Tottenham's Harry Redknapp to describe it as ``horrific''.

A local newspaper has launched a campaign to get Kean sacked.

Now, after an uneasy truce over the festive period, comes the news in a statement that organised protests against Kean and Blackburn owners Venky's are to resume with ``increased intensity.''

Yes, that is what football has come to.

Fans, supposedly loyal supporters of one of England's proudest clubs, issuing clinical statements as if they were some sort of ruling body for unacceptable behaviour.

The statement did not lack ambition. It read: ``The aim of the protests, as from the start, will be about the removal of Steve Kean as first-team manager, Venky's as owners of the club and now the removal of the board of directors.

``The intensity of the protest will increase substantially. As Blackburn Rovers fans we have no choice but to try to ensure we preserve the legacy left by the late Jack Walker.''

You can understand fans' frustration at Blackburn's plight, yet I wonder what dear old Jack, the man who pumped large chunks of his personal fortune into Blackburn to realise his dream of winning the Premier League trophy in 1995, would have made of that statement.

True, he would not have been overjoyed at his beloved club falling into the hands of owners who have taken Blackburn into debt and who appear to have little interest in the day-to-day running of the club or of building meaningful relationships with the supporters.

He would have been grumpy at the players' failure on the pitch, although you suspect he would also have made allowances for an injury list which has seen strong and crucial characters such as Ryan Nelsen and Gael Givet missing.

But you suspect Jack would have hated to have seen Blackburn die-hards using the excuse of his 'legacy' to treat an impressively calm and dignified manager such as Kean, who appears to retain the support of the players, with such unnecessary vitriol.

You suspect he would have been appalled at the suggestion that fans should boycott Saturday's FA Cup third round match against Newcastle and go to watch non-league Chorley instead.

Most of all, you suspect Jack, who made his fortune from steel, might have pointed out the value of constructive support rather than systematic negativity.

How much better if Blackburn fans saw the draw against Liverpool and the victory against Manchester United over the festive period as a sign that there is a beating heart and collective resolve at their club, despite what they might think of the absent owners.

Fans do not have to like football owners. The Glazers at Old Trafford, for instance, are almost universally reviled by Manchester United fans.

And if the Blackburn fans who make the trip to Newcastle this Saturday canvass the opinions of Geordie supporters, they will almost certainly discover Newcastle owner Mike Ashley comes somewhere below Northern Rock bankers on their barometer of approval.

It does not stop Newcastle fans roaring on the men who pull on the famous black-and-white striped jerseys or appreciating the stirring job manager Alan Pardew has done in consolidating the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

There cannot be too much to choose between Blackburn and Newcastle on the field. After all, they have both beaten Manchester United in the past week.

Blackburn may be bottom of the league right now but all is not lost. Not yet.

They have a striker in Yakubu with 12 league goals this season, just one less than Wayne Rooney. They have a winnable next home game against Fulham.

They have the distraction of the FA Cup, which the club have won six times - even if the last time was in 1928 - and which could be the springboard to a revival.

Is it really the time to peddle even more intense abuse. Surely reason and Kean deserve a second chance.

[Tom]

Very bad piece IMO but it seems the statement released yesterday is going to cause issues.

The problem I see with it is it is one guy speaking on behalf of the group and may not be the thoughts of the whole yet the media think it is now.