[Archived] Rovers Supporters Launch Trust To Buy Club

[Guest Wen Y Hu]

News of the establishment of the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Investment Trust has been posted to the front page here.

[Stuart]

The article mentions a number of professional Blackburn Rovers fans are giving their time and expertise for free.

Could I ask, are any FF or BRFCS members involved in BRSIT?

It would be good if this trust could unite all of the groups, as well as the fans.

"Trust the Trust"

EDIT: it also suggests that there are plans in place to ascertain the feasibility of purchase regardless of the division we are in. Hopefully removing the stigma of "wanting relegation".

[yoda]

Sounds to me like they may have made contact at last

[Devon Rover]

Sounds to me like they may have made contact at last

I didnt pick up a sense of that, Yoda. What did I miss?

[beatrix]

Sounds like a good idea to me, whether or not it is actually feasible bearing in mind the likely numbers involved is the question.

At least an initiative has been taken by a credible person instead of just whingeing.

[Daniel Louis Grabko (Dan)]

The article mentions a number of professional Blackburn Rovers fans are giving their time and expertise for free.

Could I ask, are any FF or BRFCS members involved in BRSIT?

It would be good if this trust could unite all of the groups, as well as the fans.

"Trust the Trust"

EDIT: it also suggests that there are plans in place to ascertain the feasibility of purchase regardless of the division we are in. Hopefully removing the stigma of "wanting relegation".

Sounds to me like they may have made contact at last

The BRSIT Working Group currently consists of Wayne Wild of WEC Group (Management/Lead), Dan Grabko of Jobtip Services Sweden (Finance/Admin), Neil Thornton of Thornton Media (Media/PR), and Jean Dziki of WEC Group (web development/IT). No others are currently involved in any capacity officially or unofficially, although as has been reported on the homepage and in the media, the BRSIT has gained the public backing of many people and organizations. It is the hope and aim of the BRSIT to remain as transparent as possible in all its operations, and to help to unite all supporters under the common goal of ensuring this clubs status now and in future. Farley Solicitors have confirmed their services, but have not been engaged to do anything as of yet. We are also currently working on a preferred Chartered Accountancy firm, but nothing has been confirmed yet. We welcome all offers to get involved by people who have expertise they can offer. Please contact us via the website so we can easier keep track of correspondence.

The BRFC Action Group and the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust are the two major supporters' organizations to publicly back the initiative so far. The Action Group has expressed interest in helping the BRSIT in distributing informative leaflets at the next home match, against Aston Villa. Wayne Wild will be meeting with them today to discuss this.

To answer your question, Stuart - as of this writing there are no FF members involved in the BRSIT, and I think I am the only registered and active member of this website, but I actually have no idea if any of the others have signed up here previously. You are correct in that the BRSIT is exploring all options, including partnering/merging with any other initiatives that may exist, though I can say that no contact has been initiated with any such group at the moment.

Yoda - There has still been no established dialogue with the current ownership at this time. They have not responded in any way.

[BiggusLaddus]

A week ago Wayne Wild was nothing to do with this and had just been asked for his input. Now he is leading the group whilst one of his employees is organising supporter's protests against the current owners.

I'm sorry but it just doesn't sit right.

[Tom]

A week ago Wayne Wild was nothing to do with this and had just been asked for his input. Now he is leading the group whilst one of his employees is organising supporter's protests against the current owners.

I'm sorry but it just doesn't sit right.

That is a potential problem I think, it's just too easy for it to be picked up and one or the other may be best going to groud.

Glad it's out there fully now so we can see how feasible it is I just wish it was a different name as its going to get confusing with BRST AND BRSIT around

[Exiled in Toronto]

That is a potential problem I think, it's just too easy for it to be picked up and one or the other may be best going to groud.

Glad it's out there fully now so we can see how feasible it is I just wish it was a different name as its going to get confusing with BRST AND BRSIT around

Well include me in those who got confused between BRST and BRSIT - that couldn't be a reason why BRSIT chose that particular name could it...?

[Mattyblue]

Think it shows EiT that there are FAR too many organisations springing up.

[Daniel Louis Grabko (Dan)]

Well include me in those who got confused between BRST and BRSIT - that couldn't be a reason why BRSIT chose that particular name could it...?

Not Really - not with that intent in any case - However, the BRST is being set up as an entity that can hold assets like a company, and as they are the only supporters group to have an official and legal mandate to represent Rovers' supporters as a whole, it would be excellent to have them as close partners, and it was very important for us to get their public backing before the announcement was made. So while it is admittedly confusing, it wasn't our intent to willfully confuse people or make them think we were the BRST.

[yoda]

I didnt pick up a sense of that, Yoda. What did I miss?

this bit

"Prominent Rovers fan Wayne Wild accounted for the reasoning behind the initiative: "At some point, and maybe soon, we believe Blackburn Rovers will be put up for sale"

But Daniel has poured cold water on it above!

[Exiled in Toronto]

Not Really - not with that intent in any case - However, the BRST is being set up as an entity that can hold assets like a company, and as they are the only supporters group to have an official and legal mandate to represent Rovers' supporters as a whole, it would be excellent to have them as close partners, and it was very important for us to get their public backing before the announcement was made. So while it is admittedly confusing, it wasn't our intent to willfully confuse people or make them think we were the BRST.

Tbh, I think you could have tried a bit harder to avoid confusion, or did no-one notice that BRSIT looks a lot like BRST?

[Devon Rover]

this bit

"Prominent Rovers fan Wayne Wild accounted for the reasoning behind the initiative: "At some point, and maybe soon, we believe Blackburn Rovers will be put up for sale"

But Daniel has poured cold water on it above!

I don't think that is based on any direct communication. It is a sensible assumption that has been made. It is highly likely that Venkys will sell Rovers at some stage. This might be soon- particularly if the club are relegated. It might not be so soon. That is essentially what Wayne Wild is saying and I don't believe it is based on any encouragement/contact from Venkys. Unfortunately.

[yoda]

I don't think that is based on any direct communication. It is a sensible assumption that has been made. It is highly likely that Venkys will sell Rovers at some stage. This might be soon- particularly if the club are relegated. It might not be so soon. That is essentially what Wayne Wild is saying and I don't believe it is based on any encouragement/contact from Venkys. Unfortunately.

You may be right, but WEC are a major sponsor of the club

[PAFELL]

Not Really - not with that intent in any case - However, the BRST is being set up as an entity that can hold assets like a company, and as they are the only supporters group to have an official and legal mandate to represent Rovers' supporters as a whole, it would be excellent to have them as close partners, and it was very important for us to get their public backing before the announcement was made. So while it is admittedly confusing, it wasn't our intent to willfully confuse people or make them think we were the BRST.

Official, legal mandate! Who gave them that?

[Amo]

[St_Jimmy_77]

A week ago Wayne Wild was nothing to do with this and had just been asked for his input. Now he is leading the group whilst one of his employees is organising supporter's protests against the current owners.

I'm sorry but it just doesn't sit right.

So if I'm reading this correctly; one of the organisers of protests works for WEC? Don't expect you can elaborate further but do you have any evidence supporting that?

[BiggusLaddus]

Glen Mullan. Nothing 'ITK' about it, it was posted on here by a few people recently.

[St_Jimmy_77]

Glen Mullan. Nothing 'ITK' about it, it was posted on here by a few people recently.

Ah; fair enough.

[Daniel Louis Grabko (Dan)]

Official, legal mandate! Who gave them that?

The supporters did voting on a referendum at an open meeting when they were created. That is my understanding of how the BRST came into existence in the first place. They had to do it that way to become a legitimate supporters trust. That is why they are in discussions with Supporters Direct to ensure everything is up to snuff on that end...

Very willing to be corrected if I am way off base here?

[Brfcrule1]

A week ago Wayne Wild was nothing to do with this and had just been asked for his input. Now he is leading the group whilst one of his employees is organising supporter's protests against the current owners.

I'm sorry but it just doesn't sit right.

These are pretty big allegations about a stand sponsor without proof yes he gave his input on the protesters but his work as a sponsor has nothing to do with the other and don't forget Wayne Wild did look at the figures obviously spent a lot of time with them and did alter the figures to make the plan more realistic so as he has made the plan more achievable with a different set of figures he should rightly lead this group and I applaud him for that yes it may not sit right with you but at least people like Wayne high profile individuals are trying to make a change for the better and you have to admire Wayne because according to the BBC report if they are not willing to sell the club he has called then for the owners to come over here and run the club better in the future so at least he is speaking to the right sorts of people getting our message out there we are not happy and trying to effect change for the better and I for one think he is doing a marvellous job and should not be knocked for it!.

[Exiled in Toronto]

The supporters did voting on a referendum at an open meeting when they were created. That is my understanding of how the BRST came into existence in the first place. They had to do it that way to become a legitimate supporters trust. That is why they are in discussions with Supporters Direct to ensure everything is up to snuff on that end...

Very willing to be corrected if I am way off base here?

It has been posted before by someone from BRST that there is a lot of legal rigmarole to go through in setting up a trust.

That being the case, can I ask what is meant by the word "Trust" in the BRSIT name? If BRSIT is not a legal trust then what is it and why was the word Trust included? And also while I'm at it, "Independent" - from who? And does it not run the risk of inferring that BRST is not independent from whoever you are independent from?

[Daniel Louis Grabko (Dan)]

It has been posted before by someone from BRST that there is a lot of legal rigmarole to go through in setting up a trust.

That being the case, can I ask what is meant by the word "Trust" in the BRSIT name? If BRSIT is not a legal trust then what is it and why was the word Trust included? And also while I'm at it, "Independent" - from who? And does it not run the risk of inferring that BRST is not independent from whoever you are independent from?

Valid questions and concerns.

The acronym actually stands for Blackburn Rovers Supporters Investment Trust - so the 'I' does not stand for independent.

My understanding is that to be an officially endorsed Supporters' Trust in the sense that the entity has the right to say it actually is truly representative of a club's supporters, Supporters Direct has set up a set of guidelines about how that organization is created and set up and what legal form it should take, etc. This, I believe, is why, as you state, it has taken them so long to get up and running.

The BRSIT is not a "legal" supporters trust in the sense that it would not be endorsed by Supporters Direct as there can only be one "official" supporters trust per club. The word Trust is not really that special, it is used any time you have an organization that is handling assets or otherwise conducting activities in the name of another person or persons, i.e. acting in trust. It is not an uncommon nomenclature. Since that is the whole idea behind the initiative, to run the club "in trust" of the supporters, it seemed appropriate to have it in the name.

Supporters Direct is actually meeting with the BRST soon (I can't remember the date) in another open meeting in Blackburn. We have been asked to and are hoping one of us can attend so as to make sure we aren't stepping on anyone's toes or causing problems. If it really becomes a major issue I am sure we would not have a huge problem with changing the name slightly.

[john.leigh]

Has anybody mentioned a compromise, where the supporters buy a stake in Rovers?

This would allow venkys to save face and may even gain them some respect for being prepared to work in partnership with supporters.

The financial requirements of the supporters body may then not be quite as onerous, making £10m an achievable target.

Once the supporters have valid representation within the club sustainable change can be brought about through due process.

It doesn't need to be an 'either or' situation.

The middle road way well be the best outcome here.

I know a lot of people want to completely end venkys ownership of Rovers but I feel it is 'better the devil you know'.

We need stability not further ownership change.

Venkys need help to run the club, help from people who are free from ulterior motives.

The best people to provide this help are to be found amongst the body of supporters.

Venkys would not only save face but would gain a massive PR coup if the sold a stake to a supporters body.

This enlightened move should not be a philanthropic act - it would lose it's impact then. To maintain credibility any stake purchased must be at the current market price.

(in my ideal world the cash input from the supporters would be used to satisfy the bank...)

Supporters alone cannot afford to sustain a premier league club, division two maybe, but not premier league.

External funding will be needed if the ambition is Premier League football.

Fans and owners working in partnership would be the ideal solution, but I fear that too many people in both camps will be too stubborn for this to happen.