[Archived] Is It Time To Protest Against Venkys?

[T J Hooker]

Im can imagine that when venkys originally acquired the club they had visions of venky xprs(aswell as various other gigs they have running) opening up and down the country starting in Blackburn.

[Baz]

Im can imagine that when venkys originally acquired the club they had visions of venky xprs(aswell as various other gigs they have running) opening up and down the country starting in Blackburn.

They had planning permission to open in London, didn't happen though.

Can imagine it may have been targeted for some mischief.

[Waggy76]

Oyston is a bit easier to target than Venkys. We could protest outside Venkys London offices but it wouldn't do much good seeing as it's probably just a postal box !

That unfortunately is true , they are very rarely here in person and are probably totally oblivious to Rovers even playing on Friday night ...

[Scotty]

There are 3 ways to get out of our current plight in my opinion:

1) We cut our cloth accordingly and stay in the Championship until we come out of the transfer embargo. Then Venky's fund a promotion push. This doesn't necessarily have to cost mega-money e.g. Burnley, Bournemouth etc. Once promoted we can live within our means in the Premiership thanks to the TV money, and we may even earn enough to pay the debts off over time.

To do the above would require astute management both of the team and the club, management that I believe is beyond the current incumbents.

2) A rich benefactor buys the club from the Venky's, debts and all. Unlikely.

3) We drive Venky's away, or they walk through their own free will, and they cut their losses and stop funding the club. We go immediately into administration and, unless a buyer can be found pretty quickly, liquidation. No more Blackburn Rovers. At best this approach would almost certainly see us in a lower division having to live within our means e.g. Portsmouth. I'd actually take that if we became fan-owned, but to do that we'd need to be very organised, very quickly. Not sure we would be personally. What's more likely is that new owners come along, pick the club up on the cheap, and are hailed as potential saviours. But will they be any better than the current lot? It's a gamble.

Option 1 requires Venky's to recognise that the current management structure isn't good enough and for them to be replaced by top-notch personnel.

Option 2 needs a miracle, and we've already had one of those in my lifetime (God bless you Jack).

Option 3 could lead to the end of the club or could, given an enormous amount of hard work & dedication, lead to a new fan-owned club run sensibly for the community of Blackburn. Or it could lead to a new owner taking over who's just as bad as the current lot.

I've no idea which one of the above scenarios is the most likely, but what I do know is that if we adopt Gav's plan of protesting etc then we'd better be ready to pick up the pieces quickly if the protests succeed, or we risk just going from the frying pan to the fire, or worse.

[Stuart]

Our only really way out of this plight is 2) - which would actually also require them to do 1) but at least they wouldn't have the baggage, history and hatred.

1) effectively means that we will be back under embargo if we fail the promotion push at the first attempt, which would also make future relaxation harder.

The simplest way that I see it is for Venkys to continue the current process of cutting our cloth but hire a manager who is capable of doing so. As far as I'm concerned, Bowyer will never get us promoted, and without at least the prospect of promotion there is no point (from their point of view) in sticking around. Ultimately this will mean the consequence of 3) but without a fight and less chance of anyone being left to pick up the pieces.

All eggs in Venketeshwara Hatcheries.

[T J Hooker]

They had planning permission to open in London, didn't happen though.

Can imagine it may have been targeted for some mischief.

sad thing is they could have been onto a winner with the venky xprs, from what i've seen their aren't any other fast food chicken outlets that sell the kind of chicken they sell, most chicken outlets in the UK just sell fried chicken(kentucky style) where as the xprs seemed a more authentic indian style, which there could be a real market for(as we do love our indian style food in this country)

Its just a shame they didn't do more homework themselves before acquiring the club instead of just lapping up all of Jeromes bs, if they'd have just left things running as they where, let John Williams carry on running the club and making the decisions and bunged us a few mill here and there for the odd player purchase we could have all been onto a winner.

[Baz]

sad thing is they could have been onto a winner with the venky xprs, from what i've seen their aren't any other fast food chicken outlets that sell the kind of chicken they sell, most chicken outlets in the UK just sell fried chicken(kentucky style) where as the xprs seemed a more authentic indian style, which there could be a real market for(as we do love our indian style food in this country)

Its just a shame they didn't do more homework themselves before acquiring the club instead of just lapping up all of Jeromes bs, if they'd have just left things running as they where, let John Williams carry on running the club and making the decisions and bunged us a few mill here and there for the odd player purchase we could have all been onto a winner.

Sad indeed, can you imagine where we could be if they'd kept JW and big Sam and given them £10m a season to invest in the team.

[Gav]

There are 3 ways to get out of our current plight in my opinion:

1) We cut our cloth accordingly and stay in the Championship until we come out of the transfer embargo. Then Venky's fund a promotion push. This doesn't necessarily have to cost mega-money e.g. Burnley, Bournemouth etc. Once promoted we can live within our means in the Premiership thanks to the TV money, and we may even earn enough to pay the debts off over time.

To do the above would require astute management both of the team and the club, management that I believe is beyond the current incumbents.

2) A rich benefactor buys the club from the Venky's, debts and all. Unlikely.

3) We drive Venky's away, or they walk through their own free will, and they cut their losses and stop funding the club. We go immediately into administration and, unless a buyer can be found pretty quickly, liquidation. No more Blackburn Rovers. At best this approach would almost certainly see us in a lower division having to live within our means e.g. Portsmouth. I'd actually take that if we became fan-owned, but to do that we'd need to be very organised, very quickly. Not sure we would be personally. What's more likely is that new owners come along, pick the club up on the cheap, and are hailed as potential saviours. But will they be any better than the current lot? It's a gamble.

Option 1 requires Venky's to recognise that the current management structure isn't good enough and for them to be replaced by top-notch personnel.

Option 2 needs a miracle, and we've already had one of those in my lifetime (God bless you Jack).

Option 3 could lead to the end of the club or could, given an enormous amount of hard work & dedication, lead to a new fan-owned club run sensibly for the community of Blackburn. Or it could lead to a new owner taking over who's just as bad as the current lot.

I've no idea which one of the above scenarios is the most likely, but what I do know is that if we adopt Gav's plan of protesting etc then we'd better be ready to pick up the pieces quickly if the protests succeed, or we risk just going from the frying pan to the fire, or worse.

Give me option 3 all day long, we're dying a slow death in the current climate, losing money and fans at an alarming rate.

I'd be happy to roll that dice, but I'm In the minority I know.

[broadsword]

Activate Agent GAV - licensed to kill, or be killed.

Codename: plucker.

[Gav]

Activate Agent GAV - licensed to kill, or be killed.

Codename: plucker.

[Pedro]

As always it just goes round and round in circles and I'm sure people are just sick of hearing me harping on about protesting, so I'm going to shut up, I'm turning into everything I hate about this site, its pulls you I tell you

I'll be honest, I presumed that this is the account/persona you want to give of yourself and I only respond as you take the time to quote me/call me out. I've little interest in protesting because I think the timing is woeful and the reasoning absolutely muddled.

You said earlier my opinion offered nothing - I'd take it on board because it is what will happen. Somebody like me will select footage, edit footage and then someone with an agenda different to our own will write a script for every idiot in the land to believe...which they will. The overriding issue is, nobody away from Blackburn Rovers really cares. In fact, the majority are happy that we are back in our place.

From my viewpoint, away from those who follow Rovers who are content, I see a relatively small group of fans still wanting the club to absolutely implode and those people openly sneer at those who don't, it lacks common sense at the most basic level and I am absolutely against that mindset. Then there are people who hate what Venkys have done, dislike the lukewarm management and pointless board - but realise that we are damned if we do, damned if we don't kick up a fuss and through memory, don't think it will do a jot of difference. I place myself close to that category. Whereas the first group have a fantasy happy ending where a load of skint fans chip to to buy the club, or truly believe that the two Ian's will muster up millions and millions to make us great, my fantasy is a strong management appointment, silent owners who pay for the bills and players and us moving up this league...without an implosion in between. But, I can keep my hatred and resentment under wraps for the greater good, whereas not everyone can.

[Jimmy612]

Give me option 3 all day long, we're dying a slow death in the current climate, losing money and fans at an alarming rate.

I'd be happy to roll that dice, but I'm In the minority I know.

Do we have a volunteer to head up this new 'fan-based' ownership then, Gav? Our fan base can't even be arsed to buy one of the cheapest season tickets in England, what hope is there of contributing to the outrageous cost of a professional football club?

[Rover_Shaun]

I'll be honest, I presumed that this is the account/persona you want to give of yourself and I only respond as you take the time to quote me/call me out. I've little interest in protesting because I think the timing is woeful and the reasoning absolutely muddled.

my fantasy is a strong management appointment, silent owners who pay for the bills and players and us moving up this league...without an implosion in between.

You cannot see a reason for wanting them gone?

And your 6 prong fantasy (1 strong management, 2 silent owners, 3 bills paid, 4 adroit players bought, 5 moving up the leageue, 6 no implosion) will be a long time coming on point 1, 4, 5 and 6.

Point 2 hopefully has been achieved but point 3 has a murky future leading to the failure of point 6

[Leonard Venkhater]

I'll be honest, I presumed that this is the account/persona you want to give of yourself and I only respond as you take the time to quote me/call me out. I've little interest in protesting because I think the timing is woeful and the reasoning absolutely muddled.

You said earlier my opinion offered nothing - I'd take it on board because it is what will happen. Somebody like me will select footage, edit footage and then someone with an agenda different to our own will write a script for every idiot in the land to believe...which they will. The overriding issue is, nobody away from Blackburn Rovers really cares. In fact, the majority are happy that we are back in our place.

From my viewpoint, away from those who follow Rovers who are content, I see a relatively small group of fans still wanting the club to absolutely implode and those people openly sneer at those who don't, it lacks common sense at the most basic level and I am absolutely against that mindset. Then there are people who hate what Venkys have done, dislike the lukewarm management and pointless board - but realise that we are damned if we do, damned if we don't kick up a fuss and through memory, don't think it will do a jot of difference. I place myself close to that category. Whereas the first group have a fantasy happy ending where a load of skint fans chip to to buy the club, or truly believe that the two Ian's will muster up millions and millions to make us great, my fantasy is a strong management appointment, silent owners who pay for the bills and players and us moving up this league...without an implosion in between. But, I can keep my hatred and resentment under wraps for the greater good, whereas not everyone can.

Interesting.

But it is such a slow lingering death by a thousand cuts,wearing down any motivation, crushing all hope.

In my own powerlessness, I just can't stand it.It is the equivalent of watching the love of your life, hanging out with a boring poser with a charisma by-pass.

So far, this season I am going cold turkey. I still haven't been. I want to refuse to buy into this charade..........and yet

[Pedro]

You cannot see a reason for wanting them gone?

And your 6 prong fantasy (1 strong management, 2 silent owners, 3 bills paid, 4 adroit players bought, 5 moving up the leageue, 6 no implosion) will be a long time coming on point 1, 4, 5 and 6.

Point 2 hopefully has been achieved but point 3 has a murky future leading to the failure of point 6

Apologies, I try to respond to anyone taking the time to quote but I really don't understand your point. This response is just for anyone who can't understand my stance on the subject of wanting to wait and see if a strong appointment is finally made, rather than grab the pitchfork. I've said the reasonings are murky, which they are - what are they? Absolute truths, absolute lies, conspiracies or just deep seated resentments?

Is it for always paying players or staff or paying certain staff that certain fans don't want here? Is it for dragging their heels or making snap decisions? For piping up or piping down? Too much communication or no communication? Is it for them employing Kean, Agnew etc. or for them sacking them off? Is the mountain of money wasted our money, the club's money, Venky money - isn't it all ultimately their money or borrowed money? Is Derek Shaw all powerful or has absolutely no power? For sticking with a manager or not sacking him? Selling our best players or for not selling them? From what i see, we simply can't agree amongst ourselves.

It seems to me that people truly don't know other than they want to rid the club of the owners because that is what they set out to do 5 years ago. My personal opinion (whether right or wrong) is that the owners had the @#/? took out of them and lots of dodgy people made lots of money off them. It's hard to believe rich people can be so stupid, but they wouldn't be the first or last. Doesn't mean I like them.

The talk on here was they were asset stripping - they weren't, they only wanted Brockhall - they didn't, they wanted to cash in on the parachute payments - they didn't. Is there actually anyone who can honestly make sense of them?

So, I choose to make a decision off what sense can I make of the situation and I choose not to listen to everything the sites' resident conspiracy theorists, poo stirrers, ego trippers or Billy Bullers have to say and remove hatred and resentment from the equation and look at the here and now.

Do I think we are a financially viable without them? No.

Do I think a load of skint fans can club to, buy us and keep us going? Not a chance.

Do I think that there is a White Knight group or rich investor waiting that can genuinely improve our fortunes in this current state? No, debt levels are way too high.

Do I think they are the most realistic way the bills will get paid in the faint hope we don't get torn to bits, relegated, points deducted, relegated again...yes.

So, I feel the best chance of us ridding ourselves of them is success. To get success, we certainly don't need to encourage implosion. We need to encourage improvement. We need to encourage the team - which we have been woeful at during these soul destroying seasons. To be fair, we have seen Bowyer try his best for two and a half years. The circus has died down, the owners have been quiet BUT paid the bills and become quieter, stopped doing ridiculous things on a weekly basis. But we have stagnated . Unfortunately Gary, although he did an excellent job at installing the closest thing we've had to normality, never would inspire a promotion push as he is an ideal caretaker. So, hence the statement I made, for the faintest hope of success, we need a strong management appointment and I want to see if they finally do it, rather than vent anger at the manager, board and owners because the cameras are in town. Without that appointment, as has been my opinion for some time, we are heading in the same direction as mission implosion, albeit quiter and slower.

Do I think they will make a good management appointment? Most probably not.

[Stuart]

No way, Pedro. (Sorry, just always wanted to say that!)

Good post actually.

One thing though. Everyone thought Pompey would go to the wall. They didn't.

[A cup of beans]

Do we have any wealthy fans/ people from the area who can put in a credible bid ?

[Gav]

Blackpool fans keep up the pressure:

http://m.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/two-pool-fans-arrested-after-karaoke-oyston-protests-1-7425777

Interesting article:

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2015/9/4/9261225/meet-blackpool-fc-a-crumbling-english-team-with-amazing-fans-fighting

[Mike Graham]

Do we have any wealthy fans/ people from the area who can put in a credible bid ?

Yes we do but why would they fork out to cover the debt?

[Gav]

Yes we do but why would they fork out to cover the debt?

The only way forward for the club is sadly administration, you're absolutely spot on.

Why would any interested parties take on that massive debt thats increasing by the month?

If Venkys decide to stick around the club will fall through the leagues in my opinion, the playing side gets worse every season, the fans are falling away, the boardroom is empty and Shaws just picking up his money, anyone could do his job for half the money as well. He can't even tell us how much we need to bring in to get out of the embargo, its criminal really, but agenda driven me thinks.

[Jock]

Blackpool fans keep up the pressure:

http://m.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/two-pool-fans-arrested-after-karaoke-oyston-protests-1-7425777

Interesting article:

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2015/9/4/9261225/meet-blackpool-fc-a-crumbling-english-team-with-amazing-fans-fighting

In the weird world of British justice you get arrested for having a sing-song outside a stadium but it's ok to wave a shotgun around in the same place.

Good luck to Afroman and his friends down at the seaside. Proper fans fighting for their Club.

[tomphil]

The only way forward for the club is sadly administration, you're absolutely spot on.

Why would any interested parties take on that massive debt thats increasing by the month?

If Venkys decide to stick around the club will fall through the leagues in my opinion, the playing side gets worse every season, the fans are falling away, the boardroom is empty and Shaws just picking up his money, anyone could do his job for half the money as well. He can't even tell us how much we need to bring in to get out of the embargo, its criminal really, but agenda driven me thinks.

Over the next year or two it's likely that PNE will establish themselves above us regularly in the area's pecking order. I'm sure Mr friend of Preston North End is absolutely gutted about that one.

Shaw Out...NOW !

[Plastic Head]

Venkys India share price almost trebled through late June and July.

Not sure why or how this will affect the club. I have been told, as has been repeated on here, that the club is being funded by personal wealth more than the company's cash and assets.

I guess shareholders wouldn't be too happy about tens of millions disappearing down a hole in Blackburn, Lancashire.

[Kettledrum]

The only way forward for the club is sadly administration, you're absolutely spot on.

Why would any interested parties take on that massive debt thats increasing by the month?

If Venkys decide to stick around the club will fall through the leagues in my opinion, the playing side gets worse every season, the fans are falling away, the boardroom is empty and Shaws just picking up his money, anyone could do his job for half the money as well. He can't even tell us how much we need to bring in to get out of the embargo, its criminal really, but agenda driven me thinks.

Yes - why would anyone want to take on all that debt? It's not as if buying the club would also buy you much in the way of goodwill, and even the brand "Blackburn Rovers" is sadly very tarnished. The stadium is still a good asset though, and you'd want whatever club emerges out of the current mess still to play at the ground.

If (and it's still a big if) administration and liquidation did happen, it could be possible to form a brand new fan-based club that plays at Ewood Park. The new club could potentially be debt free - either by paying cash for the stadium, or doing a deal with the council so the council buys the stadium to lease back to the new club. You could call the club AFC Blackburn Rovers or similar.

There are some good precedents for this such as Hereford FC and Rangers FC. Hereford FC have been particularly successful and have attracted huge gates for their league.

But there is one major downside - you start at a very low rung of the ladder of football leagues! That's the price you pay for in effect defaulting on your debt.

[tomphil]

It's a price some would pay although a massive one it would be.