[Archived] Berg at the High Court

[Kamy100]

I urge you all to read the full judgment. It contains a wealth of information which proves just how disfunctional and out of control the club is at the moment.

[mhead]

Surely with this 2.25mn in his Bank Account,it is time for the Trust to send a nice letter asking Henning to 'pledge' or donate money to the Supporters trying to wrench the Ownership from this dysfuntioning shambles. As a player who made his name here he must now see and feel the pain we are in -which is totally UNcompensated.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Here's a conspiracy theory: Out of real work, push yourself for Rovers job, get job on ludicrous salary and terms vis-a-vis experience, deliberately fail, get millions a few weeks later, emerge reputation intact as owners/Shabby/Shagnew are more newsworthy, retire.

It's at least as good as some of the others

[47er]

Here's a conspiracy theory: Out of real work, push yourself for Rovers job, get job on ludicrous salary and terms vis-a-vis experience, deliberately fail, get millions a few weeks later, emerge reputation intact as owners/Shabby/Shagnew are more newsworthy, retire.

It's at least as good as some of the others

No it isn't! "Deliberately fail?" I think your theory falls down on that point alone.

[RoverScot]

Its strange that halfway through the proceedings Mrs Desai seems to have a strop about the contract and Venkys suddenly change solicitors, used in the past by Jerome Anderson, who then give a case which is not realistically arguable.

[Exiled in Toronto]

No it isn't! "Deliberately fail?" I think your theory falls down on that point alone.

I was just making up a theory to match the facts and then filling in the bits no-one knows for sure - that's what we do on here isn't it??

[longsiders1882]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2315454/Blackburn-admit-shambles-Henning-Berg-court-case.html

From this and Baz's tweet from earlier, Venky's advice from HR, is that they can't sack Shaw until they have conducted an enquiry and a disciplinary hearing. Presumably that can't be done until Singh gets his VISA.

What makes anyone think that the demise of Rovers would be anything other a laugh to most of the football world. No one really gives a damn about BRFC apart from its fans, most others love it when a club beside their own is in trouble. It's the nature of football, we gloat at others' misfortune. Eg Our wish for Burnley, Man Utd etc to go belly up. What I am sure about is that Venky's have been led a merry dance by a shed load of bad advice, they are too proud to admit their failures and have no real idea how to sort things out.

I am also astonished at the turn of events in Court today.

The immediate implications:

Shaw is a director. As 99.999% owners, Venkys London Limited can convene an EGM at short notice and remove him forthwith for cause. This HR disciplinary gubbins is bs. If they are not sufficiently secure in their grounds for blaming him and calling him renegrade they should never be saying it in Court.

Effectively the owners and directors are saying a PLC is operating without control. This has massive implications.

As Kamy and Glen have said, you aint seen nothing yet.

If Rovers are toast, then the whole of English football is toast with us.

Just a guess, but perhaps the FA are dragging their feet on the investigation of the club because they may have business relationships with those involved? and if it came out that wouldn't look good on the FA and would perhaps open a can of worms regarding other clubs who they turned a blind eye to in their demise

If we (as in the club Rovers-owners aside) are implicated in this i do not see how the F.A can turn around and say that they were correct in NOT acting earlier and as a consequence we should be punished.

1) They were made aware by BRAG of information MANY months previous and did nothing

2) They are apparently sponsored by a major agency which might be compromised in their ability to make a fair decision.

3) They have not learnt from previous similar situations i.e portsmouth etc... and put strategies/rules in place to protect clubs like Blackburn.

It is my understanding of this situation that it is vital that pressure is put on the F.A to reach a fair decision for an innocent historic (founding) club like Blackburn before all this comes out in the public eye supporters etc..via media outlets. if Blackburn go into administration with no owners ec. who would be in a position to make this clear in a court of law/fight any injustice etc...

The sports media?

Brag?

The sports MInister?

Is there a grassy knoll in Blackburn?

Whilst there may well be a whole lot of dodgy dealings the idea that you will take 'English Football' with you is a little dramatic. This is a multi billion pound business and the best you can hope for is you don't end up going the way of Portsmouth. Right now one would imagine you are on the precipice, you may not go over but if you do I'd forget any idea you have that you'll be able to keep a grip on the whole of football in this country and drag it over with you, you won't, you won't be allowed to. As the second post quoted above says, the rest of football couldn't care less. Ask yourself this question honestly, if it was Burnley where you are, would you care? Would you be hoping we win through, that somehow we could battle the odds and come through strong and vibrant at the other end? No I thought not. Most of football won't care if you go, a few will celebrate and the rest will say 'what a shame, isn't that sad' before quickly turning their attention to who their next match is against and wondering who will replace you in the league.

On this point - innocent historic (founding) club like Blackburn - but you aren't. As a legally constituted entity the club are responsible for legal breaches and also for breaches of FA/UEFA/FIFA rules and regs. It may seem unfair but that is life. Who paid the price at Luton? Portsmouth? I'm afraid that IF there has been wrong doing then there is a very good chance that legally the club are responsible, even if morally they shouldn't be.

If this all sounds like schadenfreude it isn't but I think a few of you might need to wake up to the facts, you care but nobody else really does - even the media are only looking now because it fills a few column inches. They'll soon be back to discussing the PL and European qualification ad infinitum whilst you become just another Accy Stanley, a foot note in footballs history who will make into a milk commercial if you are lucky.

[philipl]

Ordinarily you would be right.

It is the identity of who has been involved at Rovers which is why it could be epoch making.

[chris_h]

Is there a grassy knoll in Blackburn?

Whilst there may well be a whole lot of dodgy dealings the idea that you will take 'English Football' with you is a little dramatic. This is a multi billion pound business and the best you can hope for is you don't end up going the way of Portsmouth. Right now one would imagine you are on the precipice, you may not go over but if you do I'd forget any idea you have that you'll be able to keep a grip on the whole of football in this country and drag it over with you, you won't, you won't be allowed to. As the second post quoted above says, the rest of football couldn't care less. Ask yourself this question honestly, if it was Burnley where you are, would you care? Would you be hoping we win through, that somehow we could battle the odds and come through strong and vibrant at the other end? No I thought not. Most of football won't care if you go, a few will celebrate and the rest will say 'what a shame, isn't that sad' before quickly turning their attention to who their next match is against and wondering who will replace you in the league.

On this point - innocent historic (founding) club like Blackburn - but you aren't. As a legally constituted entity the club are responsible for legal breaches and also for breaches of FA/UEFA/FIFA rules and regs. It may seem unfair but that is life. Who paid the price at Luton? Portsmouth? I'm afraid that IF there has been wrong doing then there is a very good chance that legally the club are responsible, even if morally they shouldn't be.

If this all sounds like schadenfreude it isn't but I think a few of you might need to wake up to the facts, you care but nobody else really does - even the media are only looking now because it fills a few column inches. They'll soon be back to discussing the PL and European qualification ad infinitum whilst you become just another Accy Stanley, a foot note in footballs history who will make into a milk commercial if you are lucky.

Good post Longsider and, by and large, very true. I don't think most Rovers fans ( certainly those of my acquaintance) believe our plight makes a ripple outside East Lancs. However, the Rovers Trust seem to have taken much from their counterparts in Portsmouth and elsewhere and have hopefully positioned themselves to catch the club on the inevitable fall.

We aren't dead yet.

[booth]

Is there a grassy knoll in Blackburn?

Whilst there may well be a whole lot of dodgy dealings the idea that you will take 'English Football' with you is a little dramatic. This is a multi billion pound business and the best you can hope for is you don't end up going the way of Portsmouth. Right now one would imagine you are on the precipice, you may not go over but if you do I'd forget any idea you have that you'll be able to keep a grip on the whole of football in this country and drag it over with you, you won't, you won't be allowed to. As the second post quoted above says, the rest of football couldn't care less. Ask yourself this question honestly, if it was Burnley where you are, would you care? Would you be hoping we win through, that somehow we could battle the odds and come through strong and vibrant at the other end? No I thought not. Most of football won't care if you go, a few will celebrate and the rest will say 'what a shame, isn't that sad' before quickly turning their attention to who their next match is against and wondering who will replace you in the league.

On this point - innocent historic (founding) club like Blackburn - but you aren't. As a legally constituted entity the club are responsible for legal breaches and also for breaches of FA/UEFA/FIFA rules and regs. It may seem unfair but that is life. Who paid the price at Luton? Portsmouth? I'm afraid that IF there has been wrong doing then there is a very good chance that legally the club are responsible, even if morally they shouldn't be.

If this all sounds like schadenfreude it isn't but I think a few of you might need to wake up to the facts, you care but nobody else really does - even the media are only looking now because it fills a few column inches. They'll soon be back to discussing the PL and European qualification ad infinitum whilst you become just another Accy Stanley, a foot note in footballs history who will make into a milk commercial if you are lucky.

No one may care right now but someone had better start caring or this will happen again and again to more and more clubs.

Ordinarily you would be right.

It is the identity of who has been involved at Rovers which is why it could be epoch making.

What?

[speeeeeeedie]

For those saying "we have to stick with Venkys, how can we pay the bills without them?" I draw your attention to Para 20 of the decision. The situation is exactly what Glen said it was. Relegation has put the Club into financial strife and they want next season's parachute payments to be brought forward to pay off Berg.

Venkys might or might not be worth billions but they are not about to spend it on BRFC.

Point 20:

The sum of £562,500 had been paid by Blackburn to Mr. Berg on 26^th February 2013. Although not material for present purposes, the reason given for not being able to pay the whole sum immediately was because of cash flow difficulties caused by the relegation of Blackburn from the Premier League to the Championship at the end of the 2011/2012 season, which it was proposed should be rectified by seeking accelerated payment of the "parachute" payment due to Blackburn from the Premier League as a result of its relegation.

Rovers are in trouble. What a shambles. Asking for an advance to pay off yet another manager. The Premier League gravy train is over. If anyone wants Venkys gone the best course of action is to not buy a season ticket, not buy any club merchandise, or sign up for any Rovers related subscription websites. The administrators will be in sharpish if it does happen.

[longsiders1882]

Ordinarily you would be right.

It is the identity of who has been involved at Rovers which is why it could be epoch making.

The bigger the name the even smaller chance you have of being allowed to make ripples.

Good post Longsider and, by and large, very true. I don't think most Rovers fans ( certainly those of my acquaintance) believe our plight makes a ripple outside East Lancs. However, the Rovers Trust seem to have taken much from their counterparts in Portsmouth and elsewhere and have hopefully positioned themselves to catch the club on the inevitable fall.

We aren't dead yet.

A supporters buy out might be the long term only option but I'd have thought there is still time for the club to be bought and turned around. At the end of the day there is money in the squad, still plenty of parachute money to come etc - if ownership could be changed this summer to somebody who knows what they are doing then I guess at worst you'll have another tough season followed by calmer seas.

No one may care right now but someone had better start caring or this will happen again and again to more and more clubs.

I agree, but they won't, unless this happens to a 'big' club, then everybody will be ringing their hands but I'm afraid you, us and probably around 65 other clubs, well we don't matter outside our own tiny part of the world. Sooner we accept that and plan accordingly the better.

[EgyptianPete]

Point 20:

Rovers are in trouble. What a shambles. Asking for an advance to pay off yet another manager. The Premier League gravy train is over. If anyone wants Venkys gone the best course of action is to not buy a season ticket, not buy any club merchandise, or sign up for any Rovers related subscription websites. The administrators will be in sharpish if it does happen.

Here we go again

[McClarky]

From reading the judgement it's incredible how there is so much disagreement about what was said and wasn#'t said at the various meetuings in relation to Berg's contract. Even when the meetings took place seems to be unclear. What a way to run a company.

[deefus]

I agree, but they won't, unless this happens to a 'big' club, then everybody will be ringing their hands but I'm afraid you, us and probably around 65 other clubs, well we don't matter outside our own tiny part of the world. Sooner we accept that and plan accordingly the better.

Totally agree.

Look at Portsmouth, Stockport and Chester (three I could think of without even trying) and their incompetent owners and managers not up to the job.

Then look at when Liverpool had incompetent owners and how the media and the authorities acted then. Also when Woy was their manager.

[longsiders1882]

Exactly - Liverpool with the backing of football and the courts effectively forced their owners to sell at a loss whilst all the clubs you mentioned, Luton and others too, were hung out to dry, alone. Mind you I don't blame the FA, I blame you, and me and millions of other fans of 'small clubs' for not joining together and showing solidarity. They do it because they know they can, they know WE won't do a thing until it is our club, by which time it is to late. As (I think) Niemoller said:

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Guest Norbert]

You can add Coventry City, Carlisle, Brighton, Darlington and so many other lower league teams that have had problems with the Inland Revenue/dodgy or tight owners/other financial problems and the prats running the game have let them sail so close to meltdown without caring. I just wish Man Utd or Chelsea would totally implode just to see how they'd all run around like they had only 14 hours to save the Earth.

They're not fit for purpose and should be invesitigated by some sort of inquiry, and to hell with FIFA banning England because of government involvement. Football has become one of the major tourist attractions, money earners and PR excercises of this country and yet it stinks of corruption and greed.

[speeeeeeedie]

Here we go again

I don't understand what you mean. Are you being facetious?

[West Yorks Rover]

Exactly - Liverpool with the backing of football and the courts effectively forced their owners to sell at a loss whilst all the clubs you mentioned, Luton and others too, were hung out to dry, alone. Mind you I don't blame the FA, I blame you, and me and millions of other fans of 'small clubs' for not joining together and showing solidarity. They do it because they know they can, they know WE won't do a thing until it is our club, by which time it is to late. As (I think) Niemoller said:

First they came for the communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,

and there was no one left to speak for me.

I believe there will have to be a parliamentary enquiry into football governance before long, the sports minister has been threatening

the FA to get their act together or else for some time now. I'm sure Jack Straw will be in the minister's ear. Jack is very well respected

in the House of Commons on both sides of the house.

Far too many dodgy business deals, football is rotten to the core it can't last forever.

[Guest Norbert]

Ordinarily you would be right.

It is the identity of who has been involved at Rovers which is why it could be epoch making.

Kim Jong-Un? Donald Duck? Davros? Chuck Norris? For the love of God......not M. Bison!

But seriously I think we can have a good guess of who, even if we are wary of overtly naming him or others within the parent company.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Under its happy clappy exterior with its family of face painted fans, football is corrupt to its core and we ALL know it...its turning me away from the game personally.

[Al]

Exactly - Liverpool with the backing of football and the courts effectively forced their owners to sell at a loss whilst all the clubs you mentioned, Luton and others too, were hung out to dry, alone. Mind you I don't blame the FA, I blame you, and me and millions of other fans of 'small clubs' for not joining together and showing solidarity. They do it because they know they can, they know WE won't do a thing until it is our club, by which time it is to late. As (I think) Niemoller said:

First they came for the communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,

and there was no one left to speak for me.

You are loving this aren't you?

[West Yorks Rover]

Under its happy clappy exterior with its family of face painted fans, football is corrupt to its core and we ALL know it...its turning me away from the game personally.

When dodgy deals become the norm, rather than the exception. thats when the government will step-in, I think we all know

football has reached that point.

[SamDingle]

It's unlikely you gave a toss about the issues at Leeds, Pompey, Coventry et al when you were riding high in the Prem. You probably found it amusing, that's if anything outside the Premier League even registered with you then.

Why would anyone care about you now?

I'd hope the government had other stuff to be thinking about than how to get some crackpot Indians to appoint a decent manager to a mediocre 'Chumpionship' club.

[Roverall]

I would strongly recommend that everyone go on Mark Fish's twitter and click on the audio link!

A very familiar, very worried voice!

In need of some tantric relaxation perhaps!