[Archived] BRFC Action Group

[glen9mullan]

* If I take your word for that, did you come out and retract the statement? Seems like something you'd do.

* What other supporter groups? BRAG are clearly the most prominent one and the "closest" to the club. Which is exactly the problem.

Why would I retract it? It was Simon Littlers and came 2 months before the Action group even formed.

Ones of top of my head.

Rovers Trust, Fans Forum, Ewood Blues, BRANZ, NYR, Darwen Blues , Northern Ireland supporters, Disabled supporters. pretty sure there is more.

Then all the websites, BRFCS , Roverstalk, Vital Blackburn, Blackburn Mad Etc,

We are also not the group closest to the club. The Fans Forum are the panel endorsed by the club, along with the Disabled supporters club.

Yes our membership is the largest, however I do not see any other group issueing a statement at this time

Seeing as they are now part of the problem. Yes, I would.

Well now we have established your opinion, sadly for you we have no plans to disband. So rather than cover old ground etc , probably best to leave it there?

You dont want the group to exist, but the group wont be folding.

Time to move on

[thenodrog]

?..... I'm sure that I dont know what you mean. Do market stall holders constitute a race?

[BlueMonday]

I'm not a member of any supporters group other than being a Blackburn Rovers Supporter.

To be honest I can understand the scepticism of those who are questioning BRAG. But for me the true scandal of Venkys ownership is the way they have turned supporter against supporter.

Well from now on I'm not playing Venkys game.

I'm going to be positive and think the best of ALL my fellow supporters and their views, because I believe we all want the same thing. A successful well run club.

There are different ways of saying it and we all have a view about how we achieve it.

But In terms of BRAG I simply refuse to believe that supporters who have fought so hard for change have been bought and accept Venkys as fit and proper owners.

Maybe, just maybe, BRAG have realised there is a better way to achieve the original aims through more subtle means. And, while from the outside seeming to be sleeping with the enemy, they are really seeking to destroy and affect change from within.

All the time having to maintain a public pretence which makes it difficult to respond and defend themselves from accusations of treachery. Some may not agree with the way they are going about it, but I refuse to take the cynical view.

While we remain divided we shall remain conquered. So Feck you Venkys.

[matty1875]

It is interesting reading all this, they said this, he said that, I had nothing to do with that. At the end of the day, BRAG have their own agenda, they started as a movement that most Rovers fans did not want to be part of as it was quite extreme (only 5% of supporters ever turned up for your protests) but I respected what they wanted to do. I have no idea what they are doing now but it does come across as little boys thinking they are playing big boy games being all mighty and important when in fact they have as much influence on proceedings as my little finger.

Anyway on the U-turn and change of stance from BRAG is very interesting when you have a quick look at the on internet and find a few quotes that come from Glen and the action group itself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16310610

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackburn-rovers/8992174/Blackburn-Rovers-fans-plan-to-step-up-protest-over-manager-Steve-Kean-and-owners-Venkys.html

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9450677.Rovers_fans_set_to_up_the_ante_with_more_Venky_s_protests/

(the above seems to go against your claim it was before the BRAG was formed)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-16545663

All that has changed is that they have let you speak to Singh who is possibly the biggest puppet / spin doctor I have ever seen. You may as well speak to a wooden door, your voice is not heard by venkys, they have just silenced you with shebby and your little walk in centre. At the end of the day nobody knows what you actually stand for at the moment, if I was you, get back to being just fans as it seems a lot more effort than it is worth as you are achieving nothing with your stance now.

[PAFELL]

It is interesting reading all this, they said this, he said that, I had nothing to do with that. At the end of the day, BRAG have their own agenda, they started as a movement that most Rovers fans did not want to be part of as it was quite extreme (only 5% of supporters ever turned up for your protests) but I respected what they wanted to do. I have know idea what they are doing now but it does come across as little boys thinking they are playing big boy games being all mighty and important when in fact they have as much influence on proceedings as my little finger.

Anyway on the U-turn and change of stance from BRAG is very interesting when you have a quick look at the on internet and find a few quotes that come from Glen and the action group itself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16310610

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackburn-rovers/8992174/Blackburn-Rovers-fans-plan-to-step-up-protest-over-manager-Steve-Kean-and-owners-Venkys.html

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9450677.Rovers_fans_set_to_up_the_ante_with_more_Venky_s_protests/

(the above seems to go against your claim it was before the BRAG was formed)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-16545663

All that has changed is that they have let you speak to Singh who is possibly the biggest puppet / spin doctor I have ever seen. You may as well speak to a wooden door, your voice is not heard by venkys, they have just silenced you with shebby and your little walk in centre. At the end of the day nobody knows what you actually stand for at the moment, if I was you, get back to being just fans as it seems a lot more effort than it is worth as you are achieving nothing with your stance now.

Very good post. Including some interesting links.

[Just that Rover]

If supporters just protest for the sake of protesting to get Venkys out, how many would take part? I'm 100% against protest during the games and never did last year and would not do now.

[Just that Rover]

Mr Mullan, how can you blatantly lie so much and sleep at night. Everybody in the Blackburn End saw the swarm of the usual BRAG faces led by yourself engulf the front row with complete rage kitted out in your god awful lime green protest shirt, against Swansea last season, when they equalised. There was at least 40 of you going mental chanting allsorts of anti Rovers spiel. The same group that was previously outside the stadium kitted out with Kean out banners and 100% Rovers (allegedly) signs was now in the stadium behaving in a much more vile mannor including yourself Glen, yourself who now claims you're against protests at matches 100% and would not take part.

There was no other 'normal' fans joining in with the rest of the loutish behaviour. So it was just the protest group making all the fuss. Looked to me like a protest inside the stadium... By yourselves.

At the time I did feel for your passion and had a slight admiration for your unity but that was short lived. There was one fan at the back of the lower tier who had (for what I guess anyway) spotted Diseny's Chinese Legend - Mulan. They were disrupted by this and responded with a repetitive and humorous 'MULAN OUT' chant... Well that was it, when your ears caught a sound of it you span around both fists in the air shouting 'COME ON THEN, COME DOWN HERE AND SAY THAT'. The shocked fan looked on in bemusement and slight amusement as you huffed and puffed.

Well that's when I saw the real leader of BRAG and the one who is supposedly the voice of the fans.

I can tell you Mr Mullan that you do not speak for me and I hope there is plenty of other Rovers fans who don't want to be represented by someone who lies and acts like a thug.

If you want to be leader of anything by choice or not then you must behave responsively and stoic. Mr Mullan you have not got close to any of them fine qualities and I for one think it's time you went away and take your lies with you.

[mhead]

BRAG have to work with other Groups to find an alternative to the Venkys.

Whatever the current situation, the reign of the Venkys will end in financial disaster. Not maybe by end of 2013 but in 2014 surely.

Being sceptical of the 2 Ians,the Trust etc is NOT an option. We have to work all together.

850 posts.

[john.leigh]

One of the tasks Shebby was set by Venkys was to improve communication with fans and build better relationships. In my opinion BRAG have been used by Shebby to demonstrate that he has achieved this particular performance indicator. BRAG are simply a tick in the box for Shebby. I honestly think that if Venkys had not identified fan issues as a problem then Shebby would be ignoring BRAG. I also think that by listening to BRAG he has confused himself even further and his vacillating has in part contributed to our current mess. We need a firm and resolute leader, what we have is a figurehead who attempts to please all but ultimately pleases none.

[Just that Rover]

One of the tasks Shebby was set by Venkys was to improve communication with fans and build better relationships. In my opinion BRAG have been used by Shebby to demonstrate that he has achieved this particular performance indicator. BRAG are simply a tick in the box for Shebby. I honestly think that if Venkys had not identified fan issues as a problem then Shebby would be ignoring BRAG. I also think that by listening to BRAG he has confused himself even further and his vacillating has in part contributed to our current mess. We need a firm and resolute leader, what we have is a figurehead who attempts to please all but ultimately pleases none.

I think Shebby when he intitially came in did a good job being a sort of bridge between the fans and the club. I noticed he developed a rapport with The Action Group and the protests dwindled then ceased. Tick in the box?

I'm not a big fan of him but I believe he is trying his best but he's in completely in over his head. English football along with the media circus that goes along with it is much to cruel for a character like Shebby to be well liked whilst the club is doing badly. If the club was more successful then he may be liked by the fans. Global adviser = Flak absorber it seems.

[pk1875]

BRAG have to work with other Groups to find an alternative to the Venkys.

Whatever the current situation, the reign of the Venkys will end in financial disaster. Not maybe by end of 2013 but in 2014 surely.

Being sceptical of the 2 Ians,the Trust etc is NOT an option. We have to work all together.

850 posts.

Surely it is the responsibility of all groups to look for a solution? I cannot think of any talks or even rumours recently of their being prospective owners out there.

[Roost]

It is interesting reading all this, they said this, he said that, I had nothing to do with that. At the end of the day, BRAG have their own agenda, they started as a movement that most Rovers fans did not want to be part of as it was quite extreme (only 5% of supporters ever turned up for your protests) but I respected what they wanted to do. I have no idea what they are doing now but it does come across as little boys thinking they are playing big boy games being all mighty and important when in fact they have as much influence on proceedings as my little finger.

Anyway on the U-turn and change of stance from BRAG is very interesting when you have a quick look at the on internet and find a few quotes that come from Glen and the action group itself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16310610

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackburn-rovers/8992174/Blackburn-Rovers-fans-plan-to-step-up-protest-over-manager-Steve-Kean-and-owners-Venkys.html

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9450677.Rovers_fans_set_to_up_the_ante_with_more_Venky_s_protests/

(the above seems to go against your claim it was before the BRAG was formed)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-16545663

All that has changed is that they have let you speak to Singh who is possibly the biggest puppet / spin doctor I have ever seen. You may as well speak to a wooden door, your voice is not heard by venkys, they have just silenced you with shebby and your little walk in centre. At the end of the day nobody knows what you actually stand for at the moment, if I was you, get back to being just fans as it seems a lot more effort than it is worth as you are achieving nothing with your stance now.

This post encapsulates exactly why people are now turning on BRAG.

Quotes like this are particularly difficult to read given some of the earlier posts by BRAG members:

However, organisers Glen Mullan and Simon Littler have now released a statement confirming that further protests are planned.

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.

We all know that a u turn has taken place, so whats the point of making yourself look stupid by denying it?

Shebby Singh was tasked with one thing - get close to the enemy and find out all you can. Engage with them, do what you need to.

The open meeting at KGH was the start of it. BRAG members invited to sit at the top table with the big man, and at that point he had them in his pocket and they have been there ever since.

There are a growing number of people on here that attended the protest marches who are now saying that they disagree with the direction BRAG have taken - are their opinions even acknowledged by BRAG, assuming they are members? Who knows, but it seems unlikely.

And now we are at a point where no matter what Shebby Singh says or does, BRAG will not come out and say anything against him.

As I have said before, they are part of the problem not part of the solution.

[Athlete]

Reading this thread is every bit as depressing as listening to Shebby. The majority of fans are completely turned off by the various groups - Action Groups, Trust etc. Too many egos playing politics and far too much petty bickering which is why fans are tending to give all these groups a wide berth. There are times when I think Shebby and the various so called "fans" spokesmen deserve one another. We talk about the disagreements in the boardroom doing harm to the club and yet supporters are replicating the very same situation amongst the fanbase. This is a time to be united in support of the likes of Gary Bowyer and the players but instead we seem to preoccupied with our own little empires.

The bottom line is that Venky's own the club. Shebby is clearly their man in charge at the moment and there is nothing that anyone can do about it unless you have a spare £20 to £30 million to buy the club, always supposing the owners want to sell it. There are only two options for supporters. Either walk away from the club - and who could blame anyone for doing that - or continue supporting the players and the coaching staff on matchdays. From what I can see everything else that is going on might make individuals feel slightly better but is actually unlikely to achieve very much in the long run.

In the old days we could protest on Nuttall Street and the directors would hear you. They were local businessmen who were part of the community. Venky's are on another continent and the decisions which will dictate the future of this club are now made in India and not Ewood.

totally agree the majority of fans are not represented by BRAG or any other group and don't want to be involved in the various group politics , BRAG do not speak for the majority of fans or do any other group......What I think we've come to realise is Venkys or whoever own the club can basically do what they want with the club unless a knight in shining armour comes along and that depends on the owners willingness to sell...cos lets be honest no amount of protesting or even the live on sky and when Ewood rose as one did the owners bother - the bottom line is its their club and they can do what they want with it..

IMO the best way forward is to support what ever side is put out and keep the chants going aimed at Singh + Venkys cos shebby is cracking also a mass boycott of a game is required ..which I think most people are doing and voting with their feet against Bristol City in the cup on Saturday

[Blue n White Rover]

If BRAG do not want to get rid of Venky's then all you have done is form an unofficial Fans' Forum. Why have you done that when you could have joined the official FF?

My personal opinion is that because BRAG are getting their limelight in the media, they are very happy with that.

I ask, what have you guys done that has been beneficial for the club? You have outlined our problems to SS, yet we're still in the same predicament we found ourselves in Post-BRAG.

[47er]

Same old suspects, same old arguments, over and over and over. If I were Glen etc I would not bother replying or even posting on here at all.

God, you guys would be lost! How would you cope?

[pk1875]

Mr Mullan, how can you blatantly lie so much and sleep at night. Everybody in the Blackburn End saw the swarm of the usual BRAG faces led by yourself engulf the front row with complete rage kitted out in your god awful lime green protest shirt, against Swansea last season, when they equalised. There was at least 40 of you going mental chanting allsorts of anti Rovers spiel. The same group that was previously outside the stadium kitted out with Kean out banners and 100% Rovers (allegedly) signs was now in the stadium behaving in a much more vile mannor including yourself Glen, yourself who now claims you're against protests at matches 100% and would not take part.

There was no other 'normal' fans joining in with the rest of the loutish behaviour. So it was just the protest group making all the fuss. Looked to me like a protest inside the stadium... By yourselves.

At the time I did feel for your passion and had a slight admiration for your unity but that was short lived. There was one fan at the back of the lower tier who had (for what I guess anyway) spotted Diseny's Chinese Legend - Mulan. They were disrupted by this and responded with a repetitive and humorous 'MULAN OUT' chant... Well that was it, when your ears caught a sound of it you span around both fists in the air shouting 'COME ON THEN, COME DOWN HERE AND SAY THAT'. The shocked fan looked on in bemusement and slight amusement as you huffed and puffed.

Well that's when I saw the real leader of BRAG and the one who is supposedly the voice of the fans.

I can tell you Mr Mullan that you do not speak for me and I hope there is plenty of other Rovers fans who don't want to be represented by someone who lies and acts like a thug.

If you want to be leader of anything by choice or not then you must behave responsively and stoic. Mr Mullan you have not got close to any of them fine qualities and I for one think it's time you went away and take your lies with you.

First of all welcome to the message board to another new member, clearly a passionate fan judging your posts. However I find it strange that you centre around an individual rather than a group, that is your prerogative but it will appear to some that you have created an account with a specific agenda.

All organised protests where before or after matches, not during. I'm sure there was spontaneous fan reaction during games as indeed their seems to be this season. I can assure you there was no Anti Rovers Spiel as you call it, plenty of anti Kean yes but not anti Rovers.

Your normal fans statement confuses me? are the fans who are singing against Venkys Singh et al now classed as normal in your eyes?

If you dislike the group I have two suggestions

1. Ignore them, don't sign up to a website and immediately look for a thread about them as, it does make it look like an agenda is being played out.

2. If you must criticise a group, then do so, don't turn it into a personal agenda against an individual as again the word agenda springs to mind and you then lose credibility.

[jw_]

Just out of curiosity how many members does BRAG have.

[bob fleming]

First of all welcome to the message board to another new member, clearly a passionate fan judging your posts. However I find it strange that you centre around an individual rather than a group, that is your prerogative but it will appear to some that you have created an account with a specific agenda.

150 Posts, Action Group logo, I'd wager 90% of your posts include the phrase "Action Group". Steady on this one !

Just out of curiosity how many members does BRAG have.

9,000 I seem to recall, it was banded about a lot on here towards the end of November / early December..

[pk1875]

not sure of the exact number off the top of my head but around 8000, I along with others spent all day preparing and sorting the membership packs for despatch yesterday.

150 Posts, Action Group logo, I'd wager 90% of your posts include the phrase "Action Group". Steady on this one !

9,000 I seem to recall, it was banded about a lot on here towards the end of November / early December..

given its on my signature Id wager they probably all do

[Rover_Shaun]

It must be a nice fairy like world to be able to dismiss any criticism as agenda's

[bob fleming]

given its on my signature Id wager they probably all do

Good comeback !

Question for you. You know I have the Trust logo underneath my avatar, how come there isn't a BRAG logo thingy for members ?

[jw_]

not sure of the exact number off the top of my head but around 8000, I along with others spent all day preparing and sorting the membership packs for despatch yesterday.

Wow that's pretty impressive but I'd be interested to know what their views on Singh are.

[Speedie Dived]

not sure of the exact number off the top of my head but around 8000, I along with others spent all day preparing and sorting the membership packs for despatch yesterday.

Wow that's pretty impressive but I'd be interested to know what their views on Singh are.

Do you have a geographical breakdown of membership base?

Also, season ticket holders or non? They would be interesting.

[pk1875]

I was contacted personally and asked if I or we wanted one. I declined as first and foremost I'am a Rovers Fan. I have it as my avatar as I do on all football websites, which is enough for me. One was offered but then members would maybe feel obliged to add theirs and I feel their is enough fan divide at the minute. Just look at the criticism Glen, Mark or myself come in for on here, I wouldn't wish that on any group member.

[pk1875]

Good comeback !

Question for you. You know I have the Trust logo underneath my avatar, how come there isn't a BRAG logo thingy for members ?

I was contacted personally and asked if I or we wanted one. I declined as first and foremost I'am a Rovers Fan. I have it as my avatar as I do on all football websites, which is enough for me. One was offered but then members would maybe feel obliged to add theirs and I feel their is enough fan divide at the minute. Just look at the criticism Glen, Mark or myself come in for on here, I wouldn't wish that on any group member.