[Archived] Should the Protests Stop?

[bob fleming]

No, not at all. I really think what you should do is go and waste more of your time and help the situation get worse.

Seriously, what do you suggest we do El Tombro? The club is on the edge. Anderson is playing all the media against us and blaming us for the clubs position in the league (he's also blaming us for his sons inability at football - perhaps "this group" of Rovers fans were in disguise at Leyton Orient and there for the two minutes he played for Aberdeen as well). The Venkys show no interest whatsover in putting things right, they can't even make a statement other than the one earlier today (which was diabolical) and the worst, deluded, incompetent manager we have ever had is still in charge.

So what do we do? Nip round to Pune and stand outside their gaff singing "We love you Venkys we do"? Buy them all a pint if they ever turn up again? Erect a statue thanking them for everything they have done to the club in the last 12 months? Get right behind the liar Kean while we wait patiently for our 4th league win this season? Bow down and kiss their feet for the debt they have bestowed upon us?

What do you propose?

[yoda]

Protest WILL continue, For Andersen to have come out and everything else coming out, it shows these protest are having an effect, The league will be monitoring things closely

ok mods, who keeps changing my posts and why?

[booth]

No, not at all. I really think what you should do is go and waste more of your time and help the situation get worse.

So you think if the fans did nothing it would be hunky dory?

[Amo]

How about a simple 'Hands Across Ewood'?

[rhodie]

The protests don`t affect Venkys in any way since the Bolton game when they experienced it first hand thats why they are staying away.Neither does it affect any of there friends or inner circle that socialise with I suppose being so far away is a perk for them.

[Bluemonday BRFC]

My interpretation is that in that 'interview' Jerome Anderson basically branded Rovers supporter's who showed any signs of disatisfaction against our management, owners and/ or poor performances as not true fans, and actually went as far to suppose that these protesters have alterior motives.

He was basically insinuating that it was curious that the protesters were so well organised, and implied they had other reasons to want Venky's to fail. This is what made me most angry and what I found totally offensive. He was infering that outside groups, probably like the EDL/BNP/NF types were behind the protests and that anyone who took part in them had a racist agenda. That is not on, and If I was Glen Mullan I'd be seriously, seriously offended by that, because as a protest leader, surely Anderson was directing his suggestions towards people like him. I've never even been on one of the protests, but after that, I feel I might have to if Anderson thinks he can try and stereotype our fans like that.

Utter scumbag.

[booth]

My interpretation is that in that 'interview' Jerome Anderson basically branded Rovers supporter's who showed any signs of disatisfaction against our management, owners and/ or poor performances as not true fans, and actually went as far to suppose that these protesters have alterior motives.

He was basically insinuating that it was curious that the protesters were so well organised, and implied they had other reasons to want Venky's to fail. This is what made me most angry and what I found totally offensive. He was infering that outside groups, probably like the EDL/BNP/NF types were behind the protests and that anyone who took part in them had a racist agenda. That is not on, and If I was Glen Mullan I'd be seriously, seriously offended by that, because as a protest leader, surely Anderson was directing his suggestions towards people like him. I've never even been on one of the protests, but after that, I feel I might have to if Anderson thinks he can try and stereotype our fans like that.

Utter scumbag.

When I was watching it live that was exactly what got me as well. Then anger changed to shock as I realized he was using his sons career to score some cheap points.

Utter scumbag indeed.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Have the protests worked?

has mediation worked?

...and you didn't answer the original post I made.

The protests have worked to an extent. Whether you agree with them or not they have highlighted a number of issues in the media and made everyone aware there are some problems. Some of which have been spun by the Kean/Anderson pr front.

[Ewoodbhappy]

I'll preface this post by saying that I am as unhappy with the current situation as any Rovers supporter, but it gets to a point where the approach may need to change as the methods are seemingly ineffective.

The protests have been going on for some time, including several mass and spontaneous protests. The movement has received attention from almost every single local and national media source and has been covered ad nauseum by many. Despite this coverage and the fact that the message has clearly been conveyed to the management, board and owners that has been no change at the club. With this in mind, considering the grave situation that the club now finds itself in, might it be better to turn attentions to directly supporting the players on the pitch and trying to help them towards picking up more points.

This isn't a criticism of the protest organisers or the protests themselves, I really wish that they had worked and it has been encouraging to see how passionate many Rovers fans are, but sadly the movement simply hasn't been effective.

If the same level of passion that has been displayed in recent weeks is translated into full support of the players than I have no doubt that we would create one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the league and that it would help the fight for survival. Perhaps a middle ground would be found where fans would continue to wear yellow to show their disapproval for the way that the club is being run, but that now banners would no longer be used and the 'Kean Out' and other chants would stop.

This shift in approach could be announced by the protest organisers with a statement to press, but it seems as if we are fighting a lost cause and that the effort could be put into being the crucial '12th man' that might just help us stay up.

The protest's should continue. The protests should get bigger, & Louder. Why are people treading on egg shells? Our club has been shafted.

Why can someone like Jerome Anderson spout such one sided nonesense on sky? Results? infastructure? Leadership? Team? Prospects? VERY EXISTENCE!!

We are in the mire. To sit by and say nothing. NOT AN OPTION.

Crocodile tears, shed for his own suffering! Anderson deserves all the earache he gets. These parasites have taken over a well run club and driven it

into the ground.

I say protest! PROTEST!

GET OUR CLUB BACK - EVEN IF ITS NO LONGER PREMIERSHIP.

[Rover_Shaun]

Yep. The players have had our support and still we are bottom. They still play like a bunch of clueless imbeciles. The majority are undeserving of such great unswerving support.

[kingsleyamis]

If we want to counter the negative spin that Anderson and others have put on the protests, why not combine any future boycott or action with putting something positive back into the local community?

The protest organisers could:

1) set up a justgiving account for local charities, with protestors donating the money they would otherwise have spent on travel, merchandise, beer, etc.

2) ask fans to spend 90 minutes helping out an elderly neighbour or volunteering in some way.

We need to do something ourselves to lift the gloom that's hanging over the town, even for a very short while, and it might just give Venky's a lesson in good PR.

[purplegrover]

If we want to counter the negative spin that Anderson and others have put on the protests, why not combine any future boycott or action with putting something positive back into the local community?

The protest organisers could:

1) set up a justgiving account for local charities, with protestors donating the money they would otherwise have spent on travel, merchandise, beer, etc.

2) ask fans to spend 90 minutes helping out an elderly neighbour or volunteering in some way.

We need to do something ourselves to lift the gloom that's hanging over the town, even for a very short while, and it might just give Venky's a lesson in good PR.

Thats hit the nail on the head. The protests MUST continue, because without them, the national media wouldn't even be looking at this. Certain pundits are trying to spin it against the fans, but at least they are talking about it, and about Keans management. Can you imagine how quiet it would be otherwise ? You know what they say about any publicity is good publicity.

However, the protests have to be given a positive spin as Kingsley poits out. That will make it harder for the media to target the fans. The United Statement was a great start.

The protests must be stressed as being non violent, inclusive regardless of culture race or creed, and non militant, but they must continue.

Rovers is too small a club for the media to care about in the absence of the protests. If we don't make noise, we're just another town club with a poor to middling side and a small to middling fan base, that got relegated after a fair run in the big league. We are Hull, Middlesborough, Ipswich, Derby. Without the protests, the club and its issues become invisible to the wider media.

[waggy]

the protests have not worked,kean is still here,venkys are still here,the club is sinking faster than the titanic.against fulham there should be a mass pitch invasion,not one poor guy,but 100,s the club cannot ban everyone,easy for me to say from cambodia,but drastic actions are needed

[miqaayil]

I feel the protest should continue ,

1) Banners should be made visible , "Players we support you 100%" , "100% behind BRFC, 100% behind Players, 0% kean , 0% owners" , "Where is the money"

Players should know we behind them

2) Fans get on every talkshow , be it radio or TV and announce displeasure , even international fans must call in local shows , pull international awareness

3) There must never be any pitch invasion , violent conduct , or racism trigerring protest ..... i know we have never done this ...but just saying

Things are getting hot , as it has made JA come public..... gloves are off ppl ....

The above is my own opinion and not the opinion of the owners,operaters and/or moderaters of this forum.

[Miker]

I am wondering what happened to the evidence that we had of all the shady dealings of Kean, JA and the Raos. The reasons given for not making it public or not taking it to proper authorities 2 months ago was the hope that new owners would buy the club off Venky's and that we would avoid a points deduction. Given one isn't happening and the other doesn't matter, shouldn't we be now taking this action of exposing all involved?

[AllRoverAsia]

I am wondering what happened to the evidence that we had of all the shady dealings of Kean, JA and the Raos. The reasons given for not making it public or not taking it to proper authorities 2 months ago was the hope that new owners would buy the club off Venky's and that we would avoid a points deduction. Given one isn't happening and the other doesn't matter, shouldn't we be now taking this action of exposing all involved?

I agree with you Miker.

The alleged ITKs should step up or shut up

[mhead]

This is first of all so upsetting(hopeless,depressing). The optimists amongst us are so let down by all of 2011 and now Hughesy to rescue one of the Relegation 'certainties'.Even a little bit of management and good Board Direction might get us up to 15th in the table....but no,we get nothing from Pune and only 'mis-truths' from all the people with a vested interest in the status-quo.

I am most worried about us splitting into 3 camps;

-the agressive BUT 'KNOCKING THEIR HEADS AGAINST A BRICK WALL'

-the apathetic but still loyal

-the disillusioned never to return

Believe me this is 'meltdown' and sitting in Sofia as a Blackburnian I am working out planes to get back to be most effective.I have just given up on my East Turkey project -and part of the reason is the state of the Rovers and their total disorganisation leading to me feeling a traitor and out of touch.

I helped the Rovers in the 70s,supporting with fund-raising and general fan-raising. David Brown was the Chairman then and brilliant.I really feel we need a 'brains-trust' of David Brown, Wayne Wild,Rob Coar,Jack Straw,Wayne Hemingway, Blackburn Borough Council,one rep from each of fan groups etc with a reasonable atmosphere(not a mass meeting) We have to not so much fight back but find a logical way out of the current predicament.

The latest comments by Jerome Anderson; the appointments of Martin O'Neil and Mark Hughes; plus the bumbling around of whoever is left at BRFC-is just too much to take.

WE OWN THE SOUL OF THE CLUB AND JACK'S LEGACY.

This is one occasion when we need leadership and someone with standing(and total impartiality) to step forward.

Who is this one person to galvanise us? Colin Hendry, Tony Parkes, David Brown,Wayne Hemingway or another figurehead.

In despair and losing hope...is there a help-line for my sort?

[47er]

This is first of all so upsetting(hopeless,depressing). The optimists amongst us are so let down by all of 2011 and now Hughesy to rescue one of the Relegation 'certainties'.Even a little bit of management and good Board Direction might get us up to 15th in the table....but no,we get nothing from Pune and only 'mis-truths' from all the people with a vested interest in the status-quo.

I am most worried about us splitting into 3 camps;

-the agressive BUT 'KNOCKING THEIR HEADS AGAINST A BRICK WALL'

-the apathetic but still loyal

-the disillusioned never to return

Believe me this is 'meltdown' and sitting in Sofia as a Blackburnian I am working out planes to get back to be most effective.I have just given up on my East Turkey project -and part of the reason is the state of the Rovers and their total disorganisation leading to me feeling a traitor and out of touch.

I helped the Rovers in the 70s,supporting with fund-raising and general fan-raising. David Brown was the Chairman then and brilliant.I really feel we need a 'brains-trust' of David Brown, Wayne Wild,Rob Coar,Jack Straw,Wayne Hemingway, Blackburn Borough Council,one rep from each of fan groups etc with a reasonable atmosphere(not a mass meeting) We have to not so much fight back but find a logical way out of the current predicament.

The latest comments by Jerome Anderson; the appointments of Martin O'Neil and Mark Hughes; plus the bumbling around of whoever is left at BRFC-is just too much to take.

WE OWN THE SOUL OF THE CLUB AND JACK'S LEGACY.

This is one occasion when we need leadership and someone with standing(and total impartiality) to step forward.

Who is this one person to galvanise us? Colin Hendry, Tony Parkes, David Brown,Wayne Hemingway or another figurehead.

In despair and losing hope...is there a help-line for my sort?

That's an excellent suggestion. A small committee of influential and people with fans represented. Way to go!

[thenodrog]

No, not at all. I really think what you should do is go and waste more of your time and help the situation get worse.

Once a mod...... always a mod.

ET why do you think Barclays want their money out? Is that not a sign that things are not right? It's also a counter question that might have been put to Anderson by that Sky chappie if he had owt about him.

Here you go ET......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6dcy5LTCns&feature=related

[thenodrog]

the protests have not worked,kean is still here,venkys are still here,the club is sinking faster than the titanic.against fulham there should be a mass pitch invasion,not one poor guy,but 100,s the club cannot ban everyone,easy for me to say from cambodia,but drastic actions are needed

Look on the bright side waggy..... at least 'Lardarse' is no longer the Manager. Good innit?

[Guest Rovers4Good]

No keep it up.

It shows the fans want answers and will not accept the plight we are in.

[Seggie]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9464436.Blackburn_Rovers_blog__Fans_are_being_portrayed_as_the_bad_guys/

Well played Andy.

If he was to do some proper investigative stuff and start asking the tough questions himself he may be able to further his career and make a name for himself. Seems to be the only reporter on the fans side.

[Seggie]

3) There must never be any pitch invasion , violent conduct , or racism trigerring protest ..... i know we have never done this ...but just saying

This is what is disgusting because we are painted as complete scum by everyone yet there has been none of this.

I still need my question answering of how many arrests have been made regarding the protests, I take it from the fact I cant find the answer googling or nobody on here can answer iit there have been 0.

[Stuart]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9464436.Blackburn_Rovers_blog__Fans_are_being_portrayed_as_the_bad_guys/

Well played Andy.

If he was to do some proper investigative stuff and start asking the tough questions himself he may be able to further his career and make a name for himself. Seems to be the only reporter on the fans side.

Great piece. Althought the last couple of lines sum it up best:

"The reasoning behind his decision to go public now – after we made numerous requests to speak to him – is unknown.

Could it be that he wants to distance himself and his client from even worse times ahead?"

Now we just need some answers.

[alexanders]

Great piece by Andy.