[Archived] SHAW OUT

[MCMC1875]

This is going to go against the grain for some of you.

I have today had a very good chat with Mr Shaw, who telephoned me after an exchange of emails over recent weeks.

I can tell you this much, he was very frank, very open and honest and without breaching some of the things he told me, I have to say that I was impressed with him, with what is or appears to be happening and what the future holds for Rovers.

What shone out, despite the views of many on here, is that his passion is there, his work ethic is clearly there (despite a link to PNE) and there is no doubt that he wants good for the club just like the owners.

I reiterate, its not a love in for all, its an honest view based on my conversation with him.

If supporters knew that honest truth about some of the goings on they would very quickly change their minds, if they knew some home truths about how money has been filtered from the club and continues to do so they would change their minds. If they knew the reality of the Leon Best affair, they would fall from their chairs - you get the picture.

What is happening at the club behind the scenes cannot be underestimated. There is so much going on fans have little idea as to how the club are moving forward. The launch of the new kit deal, the new kit and sponsorship has already been announced. There is more to come. On the back of the season ticket announcement, there is clear progress to get off field matters addressed and quickly.

Venkys are fully behind the club. No matter what your view is, you have to understand the lessons they have been taught. They have been hammered, in some cases quite rightly, however in others they have been ripped off completely and sold down the river. They have made their commitment clear.

I was genuinely very impressed with what he told me and what we chatted about. Believe me, what he wants is what we as Rovers fans want. There is a drive, there is an ambition and the will is clearly there.

Finally, we know players have their prices, especially at Championship clubs. Off the pitch Rovers are making huge strides. On the pitch, no player will leave Ewood unless the buyer pays the going rate !

PR STUNT!

[thenodrog]

Same old, same old from Shaw. If he wants to genuinely engage with the fans he could start by talking to the supporters trust.

But, he won't do that because he sees the Rovers Trust as the enemy.

I can only agree with other posters who question the competence of a man who seems to talk so loosely about company business to random strangers he's had an exchange of emails with, who then posts on here insinuating inappropriate behaviour on the part of employees he is happy to name, but unwilling to back up with any 'facts.'

Like several other posters, I have also met with Shaw and his sidekick Myers, and sadly came away with a briefcase full of platitudes and empty promises. And tat was before the transfer embargo and the last shocking set of accounts was published and deciphered.

Shaw has no intention of genuinely giving Rovers fans a voice at Ewood Park or of ever recommending to the owners that they should talk to us.

I speak here as a supporters trust committee member and, of course, I appreciate there are other supporters organisations and plenty of fans who are not members and not aligned to anything other than the team performing well on a Saturday afternoon.

But, the official supporters trust of the football club you run? It's a pretty damn easy place to start your positive PR push isn't it?

And he does know where we live!

How do you know that he hasn't recommended that the owners talk to the fans? Maybe the owners have already said that they don't want to be put in that position? Ones could hardly blame them given the vitriol directed toward them. Just as an aside have you contacted the owners directly?

IMO too many people make big issues out of irrelevances. We are simply customers, we have no investment and therefore and have no right to demand such priviliges. All that really matters to us is the performance of the team and the results. Sure results haven't been the best but by the same token they haven't been disastrous either.

[blueboy3333]

You mean just like John Williams used to do? I was even invited to one of his tea and Jammy Dodgers chats myself

and me, a couple of times in fact. He seemed a nice bloke but was obviously intelligent and well greased in PR, which you'd expect in his position. It was great he was prepared to meet the fans and was one of the reasons he was so admired. He always said he didn't want anything specific or sensitive that was discussed being repeated outside of his office, which was fair enough. I'm not sure how many other Chairman/CEO's around the country were prepared to meet the fans on a one-to-one basis though, maybe we were a bit spoiled in that regard.

The fact that Shaw has took the time to phone a fan and explain some of the goings on at Ewood is surely a positive step. The last 4+ years have been rumour-cluster@#/? of epic proportions and it's about time the club started engaging with it's supporters. They now need to do that through official channels too. If fans were treated like they were part of the club then i'm sure more would be prepared to dip their hands in their pockets and start going to watch the team again. It certainly seems to have had a positive effect on Roverite1864 which is excellent news. A more engaged fanbase is much-needed if the club is to progress and that starts from the club, but it also involves the fans at least trying to put aside their understandable cynicism.

[thenodrog]

Apart from John Williams how many rovers Chairmen / CE's ever made themselves readily available to the supporters?

[ABBEY]

PR STUNT!

Ryming slang

[Iceman]

Apart from John Williams how many rovers Chairmen / CE's ever made themselves readily available to the supporters?

are they that special, that they cannot engage with the fans Gordon?

[ABBEY]

They are king and we are poor pond life people

[Exiled in Toronto]

Apart from John Williams how many rovers Chairmen / CE's ever made themselves readily available to the supporters?

Friend of mine once did a job for Bill Fox who, delighted with the outcome, reached in to his pocket and announced, "I've got a little something extra for you.." Rather than the expected two tickets for the next game, he handed over an onion!

I don't know anything about Shaw's abilities, but personally I've never understood the "Shelfie" disparagement. A hard-working, local businessman actively involved in the community is nothing to be ashamed of

[Blackburn Ender]

Apart from John Williams how many rovers Chairmen / CE's ever made themselves readily available to the supporters?

We live in a different world now than the 1970s or 1980s. Engagement, bringing people on side with what you're trying to achieve, in any walk of life, is a key to success.

And more and more businesses - as well as the public sector - realise this too.

Football is especially easy because you already have a willing audience if only you treat them with respect and honesty.

The fact the owners and directors of Rovers have done none of this in the years thery've been owning/runinig our club speaks volumes for their inadequacies.

It's the rubbish owners who bring the cynicism to football, not the fans.

And yes. Several times.

[mhead]

How do you get to run a small business? Start with a Large Business and run it down......soon Shelfie will be just right for the Rovers after running the 'corner shop' at PNE.

[Gav]

Apart from John Williams how many rovers Chairmen / CE's ever made themselves readily available to the supporters?

Different times now, the worlds moved on you know.

[thenodrog]

are they that special, that they cannot engage with the fans Gordon?

I'd say so. In fact if I was CE thats exactly what I would advise them Lets be honest the best thing they can do FOR US is what they are doing. Fund the club and keep their bloody heads down.

Look at their apparent biggest critic Abbey, he loves Jordan Rhodes and would use his do doos for toothpaste if asked, yet he views Mrs Desai and her brothers with undying hatred, YET it was only private family money that was used to sign Rhodes and only Mrs Desai's personal intervention that prevented GB selling him for the last chance of a profit that we will ever get. I'm not sure how he actually reconciles that in his own mind.

Different times now, the worlds moved on you know.

Really Gav? Well why don't you and the other dismissive posters try getting an interview with Abromovich then.

[Gav]

Really Gav? Well why don't you and the other dismissive posters try getting an interview with Abromovich then.

Abramovich doesn't have to play the role does he?

I'd be surprised if any chairmen in the Championship refused to meet the clubs supporters, ours aside, 99% will already have done so.

[onlyonejackwalker]

You mean just like John Williams used to do? I was even invited to one of his tea and Jammy Dodgers chats myself

Cute analogy.

Do you really expect me to believe you chatted about how the club was spending / losing its money, current player contracts, reasons why players were being isolated or sent out on loan, current and the future marketing endeavours and the ongoing strategy in place at the club? Then get asked to keep it all under your hat? Really?

Or did you just ask politely for another biscuit?

[Exiled in Toronto]

Cute analogy.

Do you really expect me to believe you chatted about how the club was spending / losing its money, current player contracts, reasons why players were being isolated or sent out on loan, current and the future marketing endeavours and the ongoing strategy in place at the club? Then get asked to keep it all under your hat? Really?

Or did you just ask politely for another biscuit?

I said I was invited. As I live in Canada I didn't go, but I am led to believe by those who did take him up - these were common occurancies - that those were exactly the kinds of things he talked about and asked to be kept confidential. Apparently they were more monologues than discussions. Those who did go may wish to share their experiences.

I didn't really understand why he would do this either, and I certainly didn't want to devote any of my valuable and infrequent family visiting time to being told such stuff.

[tomphil]

I'd say so. In fact if I was CE thats exactly what I would advise them Lets be honest the best thing they can do FOR US is what they are doing. Fund the club and keep their bloody heads down.

Look at their apparent biggest critic Abbey, he loves Jordan Rhodes and would use his do doos for toothpaste if asked, yet he views Mrs Desai and her brothers with undying hatred, YET it was only private family money that was used to sign Rhodes and only Mrs Desai's personal intervention that prevented GB selling him for the last chance of a profit that we will ever get. I'm not sure how he actually reconciles that in his own mind.

Really Gav? Well why don't you and the other dismissive posters try getting an interview with Abromovich then.

Private money my ass. Instalments that were and are still being paid. Confirmed by the Hudds chairman himself not long ago I believe. You can put that down to parachute and debt money, Also the final instalment on Phil Jones may have played a part.

[onlyonejackwalker]

I said I was invited. As I live in Canada I didn't go, but I am led to believe by those who did take him up - these were common occurancies - that those were exactly the kinds of things he talked about and asked to be kept confidential. Apparently they were more monologues than discussions. Those who did go may wish to share their experiences.

I didn't really understand why he would do this either, and I certainly didn't want to devote any of my valuable and infrequent family visiting time to being told such stuff.

No problem, not denying it happened, still think it's odd.

I have my own company. Discussing private employee matters especially or future business strategy with anyone who asked simply would not happen. Totally unprofessional with zero benefit.

[yoda]

Cute analogy.

Do you really expect me to believe you chatted about how the club was spending / losing its money, current player contracts, reasons why players were being isolated or sent out on loan, current and the future marketing endeavours and the ongoing strategy in place at the club? Then get asked to keep it all under your hat? Really?

Or did you just ask politely for another biscuit?

Our chairman needs dunking

[Iceman]

I'd say so. In fact if I was CE thats exactly what I would advise them Lets be honest the best thing they can do FOR US is what they are doing. Fund the club and keep their bloody heads down.

Look at their apparent biggest critic Abbey, he loves Jordan Rhodes and would use his do doos for toothpaste if asked, yet he views Mrs Desai and her brothers with undying hatred, YET it was only private family money that was used to sign Rhodes and only Mrs Desai's personal intervention that prevented GB selling him for the last chance of a profit that we will ever get. I'm not sure how he actually reconciles that in his own mind.

Really Gav? Well why don't you and the other dismissive posters try getting an interview with Abromovich then.

nah the best thing Venkys can do for the fans is come out, and say we are sorry. We will do everything to make things right, and we know we have made mistakes and lets all move on together. Whether the fans are wrong for giving them a hard time, and them staying away due to that, fine. However, at some point, you have to man up to the fans, and show that you are the owners, show that you want to make things right, and show a bit more interest in the club. Maybe the fans will show them a bit more respect, but them hiding and making a rare appearance here and there wont help them at all.

[1864roverite]

Morning people.

I have read the varied responses to what I posted.

Just to clarify a few points raised.

Abbey - Played like a sucker? Come off it Shaun, you know me far to well to think that he suckered me into an easy bite!

A friend/member of a trust - not me. I am an honest Rovers fan born and bred blue and white. I wanted answers, I gave my own fan based observations based on my 45yrs of supporting Rovers, I used my own personal knowledge and I speak with other fans. THAT is where my knowledge base is obtained and thus, when compared with the answers that DS gave me, I was happy as they were corroborated by other sources.

ITK? I don't think so. As with my last point, its based on a whole host of information. It doesn't take a genius detective to work it out (or maybe it does!).

DS isn't afraid to speak to people. He isn't afraid to tell people, fans, about the issues that have riddled the club. The information is already out there. Instead of being a weak journalist and not asking the relevant questions if you get someone who is prepared, interested and will ask the right questions then you do get the required answers. In my line of work it is what I am trained to do, I used those skills to get the answers (those who really know me know exactly what I do and will understand that comment).

The issues of Best are already well documented and need no further comment from me. What I will say is that if we had gone up this season BEST would have laughed all the way to the bank!

The issue of Robinson are again out there if it is looked at properly. I will give some a clue. He has been fit for almost a year and a bit so ask yourself why he hasn't played? Ask yourself what has he been doing ? Ask yourself why if fit has he not been allowed away on loan and then ask yourself why he has been on tv as a pundit over the past 12 months? When you add the answers to those questions you will find that he hasn't really been putting anything into BRFC. Compare that then to what he might have been taking out !

I repeat myself, this isn't a love in. Its an observation. I note some on here have already convicted, re convicted and dismissed any appeal by anyone who says anything positive about DS, BRFC or its owners.

I stand by my comments and my observations. I don't see things through Blue and White spectacles. I have read, I have watched, I have listened and have compared stories from a host of different people. What I did was simply communicate with the club, I didn't really expect a call but I did, and all this like I did 2 years ago as the club began its fight to put itself on its feet again.

So guys, there is a bit of bad news for some of the doubters. The club really has turned around off the park, its not yet perfect but its really getting there. On the park, despite the views of some and the sometimes incompetent efforts on the park, the club now have a decent set of players, young, British and who want to wear that shirt.

Finally, the last strings of the KEANSCUM era are almost severed. Its only that holding the club back. I truly suspect the final string will be cut when the 1 remaining bad apple is sent to the middin.

[ABBEY]

Warren , I still think he's fed you bumph .

I am going off what I was told when he arrived by someone I know who is close to him.(wont be posting what he said either)

[thenodrog]

Private money my ass. Instalments that were and are still being paid. Confirmed by the Hudds chairman himself not long ago I believe. You can put that down to parachute and debt money, Also the final instalment on Phil Jones may have played a part.

You may indeed have a point but who knows for sure?

nah the best thing Venkys can do for the fans is come out, and say we are sorry. We will do everything to make things right, and we know we have made mistakes and lets all move on together. Whether the fans are wrong for giving them a hard time, and them staying away due to that, fine. However, at some point, you have to man up to the fans, and show that you are the owners, show that you want to make things right, and show a bit more interest in the club. Maybe the fans will show them a bit more respect, but them hiding and making a rare appearance here and there wont help them at all.

And you think being here in person will help?? As I said best for us is for them to keep a low profile and keep signing the cheques.

[Athlete]

The likes of Shaw and Bowyer are promoted into positions beyond their wildest dreams...

[47er]

Morning people.

I have read the varied responses to what I posted.

Just to clarify a few points raised.

Abbey - Played like a sucker? Come off it Shaun, you know me far to well to think that he suckered me into an easy bite!

A friend/member of a trust - not me. I am an honest Rovers fan born and bred blue and white. I wanted answers, I gave my own fan based observations based on my 45yrs of supporting Rovers, I used my own personal knowledge and I speak with other fans. THAT is where my knowledge base is obtained and thus, when compared with the answers that DS gave me, I was happy as they were corroborated by other sources.

ITK? I don't think so. As with my last point, its based on a whole host of information. It doesn't take a genius detective to work it out (or maybe it does!).

DS isn't afraid to speak to people. He isn't afraid to tell people, fans, about the issues that have riddled the club. The information is already out there. Instead of being a weak journalist and not asking the relevant questions if you get someone who is prepared, interested and will ask the right questions then you do get the required answers. In my line of work it is what I am trained to do, I used those skills to get the answers (those who really know me know exactly what I do and will understand that comment).

The issues of Best are already well documented and need no further comment from me. What I will say is that if we had gone up this season BEST would have laughed all the way to the bank!

The issue of Robinson are again out there if it is looked at properly. I will give some a clue. He has been fit for almost a year and a bit so ask yourself why he hasn't played? Ask yourself what has he been doing ? Ask yourself why if fit has he not been allowed away on loan and then ask yourself why he has been on tv as a pundit over the past 12 months? When you add the answers to those questions you will find that he hasn't really been putting anything into BRFC. Compare that then to what he might have been taking out !

I repeat myself, this isn't a love in. Its an observation. I note some on here have already convicted, re convicted and dismissed any appeal by anyone who says anything positive about DS, BRFC or its owners.

I stand by my comments and my observations. I don't see things through Blue and White spectacles. I have read, I have watched, I have listened and have compared stories from a host of different people. What I did was simply communicate with the club, I didn't really expect a call but I did, and all this like I did 2 years ago as the club began its fight to put itself on its feet again.

So guys, there is a bit of bad news for some of the doubters. The club really has turned around off the park, its not yet perfect but its really getting there. On the park, despite the views of some and the sometimes incompetent efforts on the park, the club now have a decent set of players, young, British and who want to wear that shirt.

Finally, the last strings of the KEANSCUM era are almost severed. Its only that holding the club back. I truly suspect the final string will be cut when the 1 remaining bad apple is sent to the middin.

Actually I made a mistake with one question! I meant to ask you "are you a member of the Fans Forum"? Wrote Trust instead Sorry.

Su are you a member of the Fans Forum?

One aspect above certainly needs revision--he is prepared to talk about SOME of the issues that have bedevilled the Club. I bet i could think of dozens he would refuse to answer.

Finally you say "member of the Rovers Trust---not me I'm an honest Rovers fan"!!! Interesting angle!

[1864roverite]

No I am NOT !