[Archived] Boycott

[The_Expert]

I don't believe the club has sold 8000 season tickets for the upcoming debacle..

[Lancaster Rover]

I bought my tickets in W12 no problem.

[JBiz]

If you're happy with that, then fine. No problems there for me.

A question for you JB.....

Would it be fair to say that you and a lot of fans would never take "decisive" action, - no matter how much damage was being done to the club? Isn't the answer to that "yes".

Unless I fail to understand the basic rudiments of business, I don't see any "decisive" action that I could take which would influence the ownership of the club.

Don't get me wrong, I could start a protest group or boycott, but that comes with many cons despite the moral high ground of certain view points. I also don't see how a protest or boycott will force a decision that I or we want either.

We aren't dealing with a situation that we know how to change, or more likely; can have any impact on changing. I'm appreciative of those who've made efforts like the Ian's, Glen etc

My initial point was more about being critical of others stance. I can see why many will never be back and I understand why, I'm not criticising them for it either at the minute.

You will catch me criticising some if we have 25,000 on with a big cup game in January, mind!

[47er]

Perhaps tickets for FA Cup game could be stamped "super fans only"?

[JBiz]

Perhaps tickets for FA Cup game could be stamped "super fans only"?

No but I think it's difficult to argue we'd stand best chance of a return to the top flight with lots more fans - that's WITH OR WITHOUT Venkys!

[perthblue02]

No but I think it's difficult to argue we'd stand best chance of a return to the top flight with lots more fans - that's WITH OR WITHOUT Venkys!

I know you said with or without Venky's but unfortunately you can not take them out of the equation at this time.

As the argument not been used previously that fans staying away has no effect particularly in the unique way Desai and Rao's continue to view things?

So how can the opposite be used as our best chance to return to the top flight? ,unless off course we get special dispensation from the Football League to play 8000 v 11 on the pitch.

We could have 30k on Ewood every game but since day 1 of the project It is obviously the Venky's way of things related to the "success" of Blackburn Rovers cheaper is better. Obviously it is a different case with all the money bled out of Ewood over the last 6 years which would no doubt ramp up again with full houses every home game once the sewer man hole cover is opened wider.

They had a chance to increase the fan base when they appointed Lambert, instead of backing him they reverted to type and were happy to see him walk so a (cough cough) strange appointment could take place

We had 20 + thousand in the Premier League still did not stop us getting relegated , first year down we had decent crowds in the championship still didn't get promotion. Plenty of clubs in the Championship last season and the season before with loads of fans, and they are still in the Championship

So having more fans in our current state as a failed project by Desai, the Rao's and associates will not make the slightest bit of difference on the field, it will only dress up the complete disaster that has been created by greed and stubbornness.

Now if Desai and the Rao's took their heads out of their arses and sold "their baby" for a reasonable amount (more than reasonable at this present time would be what they paid for it) to someone that actually wanted the club to succeed, then more supporters would create a better atmosphere and maybe encourage the new owners to actually go for it, but no guarantees ,so again the actually number of supporters is not our best chance,

Although a large crowd every home game might just peak the interest of a buyer , but that will cease once they have to deal with the stubborn arrogance in Pune Towers and that is even before they open the cooking pot to look at the books

[mustard]

No but I think it's difficult to argue we'd stand best chance of a return to the top flight with lots more fans - that's WITH OR WITHOUT Venkys!

I honestly think it would make diddly squat of a difference if we had an extra 5,000 or 10,000 in attendance right now with the V's, except maybe there'd be more audible groans during matches at Ewood. The money from ticket sales wouldn't go toward improving the playing squad, it wouldn't improve our boardroom or infrastructure, it won't stop them from cashing in on our best players, it would only go to paying their debts/into Venky pockets. If anything, it would give them extra incentive to stick around if they think they can break even through such revenue streams.

[Iceman]

Just going of the number of people I know and I'm linked to, 7500 surprises me.

Is this figure 'official' (from the latest shape-shifter)?

Agreed.

Ah. Block the seats off to show less available. Another con trick.

It wouldn't surprise me if we fill the empty seats with cardboard cutouts. Thats life under Venkys for you

[Iceman]

Err, no JB, we can't put it to bed.

It's up to you to deal with your conscience, but it's just a fact that if you're buying the product, you're literally supporting the owners. It's the owners that offer the STs at a price - and it's us supporters that have the option of buying it or not.

I'm not telling anyone to buy a ST or not, but you do come across as knowing what you're doing, but not being prepared to face the truth.

Are you not just wanting to whinge about the owners day in, day out, but in reality not prepared to do anything about it whatsoever?

Wait wait wait, hold on a minute. Lets say Venkys or whoever owns the club had any brains, they would have looked at the numbers, and then come up with something a bit special for this season. Lets say a season ticket costs £200, but you slashed it to £75 and you got 15 000 people signing up, that would somehow be a success right. However, lets say you slashed it down to £75 and still you only got 6000 sign ups, then you know there is huge problems.

What im getting at here is simple, you as Venkys already know the situation, why not be creative and pull the fans in. Instead, you have a stupid idea to get the manager and a few players to get you to sign up. It goes to show how embarrassing it currently is. So its clear that them selling all our better players, is an indication that they do not give one @#/? about the fans. So its sign up, then when we got you, we sell the players. So basically it was all a ploy to lure people in.

[tomphil]

Yes something to counter act the impending exodus and all the rest. Dressed up as a grand gesture by the owners because we are going through a period of serious upheaval and downgrading again of the squad for various reasons.

A one off one season £150 season ticket as a gesture in the hope of sticking with us. Might have sold 12k so over all nothing lost and at least retaining the core support of recent years. Certainly might have helped the team in what is going to be a difficult season.

[AggyBlue]

I don't think they're bothered how many supporters turn out for games, how successful the team is or which division it plays in.

They want the club to be self financing and self run. They can't be bothered with it.

They want to be able to sell on a couple of academy prospects every now and again, pocketing the proceeds.

If it can be made to work like that, they will be here forever.

[Stuart]

Yes something to counter act the impending exodus and all the rest. Dressed up as a grand gesture by the owners because we are going through a period of serious upheaval and downgrading again of the squad for various reasons.

A one off one season £150 season ticket as a gesture in the hope of sticking with us. Might have sold 12k so over all nothing lost and at least retaining the core support of recent years. Certainly might have helped the team in what is going to be a difficult season.

It's patently obvious that Venkys do not care about Blackburn Rovers, Blackburn Rovers fans, or even Blackburn. They have all but stopped communicating, and have long since stopped attending.

They don't care if this club is successful. We are having to sell our best players to pay wages and running costs. Besides, according to 'the script' Venkys take no money from ticket or retail sales so the price point for tickets must have been set by the club. Maybe local management should have signed off these lower prices and gone on a charm offensive but instead he chose to blame the fans in the hope that they would be guilted into buying. Doesn't seem to have worked.

This "the owners remain committed to the success of Blackburn Rovers" is starting to sound more like "they said this in 2011 and we've not yet heard otherwise".

[Neal]

Neal, you seem to think that the 7,500 who have bought season tickets have done so blindly. Not so. I think most people have given renewal of season tickets a great deal of thought and consideration and have come to the conclusion that it is better to renew than not renew. At the end of the day it is vital that there is still a club when the Rao family decide to leave. Clearly, at the moment, for whatever reasons, they are happy to remain as owners. Season ticket sales has little impact on them. Clearly, the supporters are split on this issue and whilst many had opted to boycott it is also clear that many, like myself, will never walk away and whatever the outcome of the season there will always be a hardcore of supporters who will remain at Ewood to support the club. The club and the owners are two distinct issues for me and for many supporters. For me, and I suspect for many of those who have renewed, the main issue is the survival of the club and I, like many others, believe that is best served by supporting the team to the best of our ability to ensure, in the short term, we can retain Championship survival. Clearly other supporters have different opinions on this matter and at the end of day as long as everyone is happy with the choice they make and respect the choices of others there shouldn't be an issue amongst supporters.

Thanks for the considered response Parson.

With all due respect, i'm not sure how you can account for 7500 fans. After the Blackpool protests I'm not sure there are many Rovers fans capable of serious thought and the only thing thay seems clear about the intentions of the owners is that they're not interested and given the rumours of them wanting to sell perhaps they're anything but happy.

As i've previously said, I respect those who still choose to go and support throughout the endless amounts of @#/? served up to them.

As for the survival of the club by supporting the team... I think Hanley has proved that the footballers at our club are less concerned than us about the long term future of our club. Supporting these millionaires who will be gone withing a few year will hardly make a difference but thats just my opinion. There is a bigger pitcture to just supporting the team in my view and taking a stand against the owners in any way to me is more important now.

Regardless of the match day numbers, people like Seneca and the trust will ensure there will be a club when they leave and they will have my financial support but Venkys wont.

Like many we will agree to disagree like most of our fanbase but one thing we can surely agree on is... We can thank Venkys for that.

[Mike Graham]

Perhaps tickets for FA Cup game could be stamped "super fans only"?

Or EFL games "super super fans"!!

I don't think they're bothered how many supporters turn out for games, how successful the team is or which division it plays in.

They want the club to be self financing and self run. They can't be bothered with it.

They want to be able to sell on a couple of academy prospects every now and again, pocketing the proceeds.

If it can be made to work like that, they will be here forever.

If that is the case Aggy then that is me not setting foot in Ewood Park again.

[47er]

I don't think they're bothered how many supporters turn out for games, how successful the team is or which division it plays in.

They want the club to be self financing and self run. They can't be bothered with it.

They want to be able to sell on a couple of academy prospects every now and again, pocketing the proceeds.

If it can be made to work like that, they will be here forever.

And that is why it is not "our club" anymore.

[Crimpshrine]

I need some help to get me through Saturday's match.

For as long as I can remember, man and boy, I've looked forward to Rovers' home matches.

Wake up on a Saturday morning and something feels different and special if it’s a Rovers Home match day.

I love mid-week games even more. Leave work, go for a pint and some food then on to Ewood. and a match under the floodlights.

The buzz has never left me.

Even before Jack Walker made all our dreams come true, in the days when we struggled with no real possibility of winning anything, back in the old third division days, I still loved every match at Ewood. Poor results, small crowds, little hope. Nothing would put me off.

I would never miss a home match unless it was absolutely necessary – Holidays, weddings etc.

Whenever Rovers are playing and I am not there I feel guilty – especially if we lose! I should have been there! While a match is being played and I’m elsewhere I feel nervous until the result is known.

I want to attend every game. I want to go and encourage the players, I want to go and socialise with like-minded people. I feel at home at Ewood.

On Saturday, for the first time, through my own choice, I am not going to support Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park

It’s going to be a nightmare, I’ll get cold turkey, I’ll get angry but I don’t see any other way to make a stand.

I believe that since the latter part of Paul Lambert’s tenure, Venky’s intentions have become clear, if they weren't before – get as much money as possible out of the club and don’t reinvest.

OK so we signed Danny Graham, and I’m grateful that he has come to Rovers, but they have to make some sort of pretence at running a football club – otherwise people outside of Blackburn may start noticing what they are up to! We couldn’t start the season with no strikers!

We can’t let loyalty become slavery. Rovers will still be there in some capacity when Venky’s eventually leave. We can then show our loyalty again.

I don't know what I will do if Coyle pulls off a miracle and we are challenging for the playoffs in a few months - I'll be sorely tempted to return. But that's not going to happen is it ?

It’s been a massive decision but I’ve made it. I’m hoping it’s a case of being cruel to be kind and eventually pressure on the owners will grow and they will leave.

So how do I get through Saturday and the rest of the season? Any suggestions

PS - Away games are a different matter - See you at Wigan !!

[Jock]

Its a nightmare mate. But hope you enjoy Wigan, could be lively.

[Neal]

I need some help to get me through Saturday's match.

For as long as I can remember, man and boy, I've looked forward to Rovers' home matches.

Wake up on a Saturday morning and something feels different and special if its a Rovers Home match day.

I love mid-week games even more. Leave work, go for a pint and some food then on to Ewood. and a match under the floodlights.

The buzz has never left me.

Even before Jack Walker made all our dreams come true, in the days when we struggled with no real possibility of winning anything, back in the old third division days, I still loved every match at Ewood. Poor results, small crowds, little hope. Nothing would put me off.

I would never miss a home match unless it was absolutely necessary Holidays, weddings etc.

Whenever Rovers are playing and I am not there I feel guilty especially if we lose! I should have been there! While a match is being played and Im elsewhere I feel nervous until the result is known.

I want to attend every game. I want to go and encourage the players, I want to go and socialise with like-minded people. I feel at home at Ewood.

On Saturday, for the first time, through my own choice, I am not going to support Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park

Its going to be a nightmare, Ill get cold turkey, Ill get angry but I dont see any other way to make a stand.

I believe that since the latter part of Paul Lamberts tenure, Venkys intentions have become clear, if they weren't before get as much money as possible out of the club and dont reinvest.

OK so we signed Danny Graham, and Im grateful that he has come to Rovers, but they have to make some sort of pretence at running a football club otherwise people outside of Blackburn may start noticing what they are up to! We couldnt start the season with no strikers!

We cant let loyalty become slavery. Rovers will still be there in some capacity when Venkys eventually leave. We can then show our loyalty again.

I don't know what I will do if Coyle pulls off a miracle and we are challenging for the playoffs in a few months - I'll be sorely tempted to return. But that's not going to happen is it ?

Its been a massive decision but Ive made it. Im hoping its a case of being cruel to be kind and eventually pressure on the owners will grow and they will leave.

So how do I get through Saturday and the rest of the season? Any suggestions

PS - Away games are a different matter - See you at Wigan !!

Great post fella, makes me feel good that there still some Rovers fans left that I can relate to. Top man!

[arbitro]

I need some help to get me through Saturday's match.

For as long as I can remember, man and boy, I've looked forward to Rovers' home matches.

Wake up on a Saturday morning and something feels different and special if its a Rovers Home match day.

I love mid-week games even more. Leave work, go for a pint and some food then on to Ewood. and a match under the floodlights.

The buzz has never left me.

Even before Jack Walker made all our dreams come true, in the days when we struggled with no real possibility of winning anything, back in the old third division days, I still loved every match at Ewood. Poor results, small crowds, little hope. Nothing would put me off.

I would never miss a home match unless it was absolutely necessary Holidays, weddings etc.

Whenever Rovers are playing and I am not there I feel guilty especially if we lose! I should have been there! While a match is being played and Im elsewhere I feel nervous until the result is known.

I want to attend every game. I want to go and encourage the players, I want to go and socialise with like-minded people. I feel at home at Ewood.

On Saturday, for the first time, through my own choice, I am not going to support Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park

Its going to be a nightmare, Ill get cold turkey, Ill get angry but I dont see any other way to make a stand.

I believe that since the latter part of Paul Lamberts tenure, Venkys intentions have become clear, if they weren't before get as much money as possible out of the club and dont reinvest.

OK so we signed Danny Graham, and Im grateful that he has come to Rovers, but they have to make some sort of pretence at running a football club otherwise people outside of Blackburn may start noticing what they are up to! We couldnt start the season with no strikers!

We cant let loyalty become slavery. Rovers will still be there in some capacity when Venkys eventually leave. We can then show our loyalty again.

I don't know what I will do if Coyle pulls off a miracle and we are challenging for the playoffs in a few months - I'll be sorely tempted to return. But that's not going to happen is it ?

Its been a massive decision but Ive made it. Im hoping its a case of being cruel to be kind and eventually pressure on the owners will grow and they will leave.

So how do I get through Saturday and the rest of the season? Any suggestions

PS - Away games are a different matter - See you at Wigan !!

Good post and I guess sums up the feelings of most of the boycotters. Staying principled and having a strong resolve will be important but I (and my family and close friends) are determined to see this through.

[Mike Graham]

It is sad that the V's have brought so many fans to a similar position. Crimpshire's post should be reprinted in the LT.

I feel the same, Rovers was such a big part of my life. I will be back when/if the V's have gone even if we are in National League 1. However I doubt I will be able to step foot in Ewood again. This in the eyes of some makes us "non fans" and we are denying the Club of funds.......to what I say is get real and look at the facts.

I suggest: family; walking; cycling; even baking cakes is better than going down to watch the shambles called called BRFC.

[mhead]

Even the supporters going to Ewood(or selectively going) feel the same as Crimpshire.

Get it Reprinted in the LT, because I believe 20,000 fans feel the same,with only 1,000 real 'happy-clappers'.

This is so painful.

[chor808]

The LT looks like a propaganda paper at the moment, is there any chance we could speak to them to have a piece done on the stay away fans? Do we have any contacts, anyone who would listen?

[Jimmy612]

No but I think it's difficult to argue we'd stand best chance of a return to the top flight with lots more fans - that's WITH OR WITHOUT Venkys!

They had lots more fans. 23,000 people attended the Aston Villa match when they first rocked up. We had one of the best managers in England (funnily enough his career has gone in a different direction in stark contrast to our fortunes since we parted ways), a squad comfortably plying it's trade in the Prem, and a fantastic board structure in place who had run the club magnificently in fairly stringent conditions.

How anyone can still enjoy going to Ewood is beyond me.

As for return to the top flight - it's really not difficult to argue. Even with 30,000 fans in the stadium week in / week out we would be a million miles from promotion. I can't even contemplate a top 12 finish at the moment.

We have a manager who supposedly prides himself on attacking football. We have scored 5 goals in 6 games in pre-season. That against two league 2 clubs, two league 1 clubs, an Austrian side who play in a stadium capacity of 7,000 and Girona, a Spanish 1st division team.

Our best players are continuously sold with little or no reinvestment and this squad is one of the worst I have ever seen in my 20+ years as a Rovers fan.

There's two reasons people will still go to Ewood;

1. They love this idea of Super fan status.

2. They can't think of anything else to do with their Saturday afternoons.

There used to be a time when I couldn't imagine not going to Ewood every single season. Now I just feel bitter towards the whole corrupt regime.

If we stay up this season we'll be lucky - got Wigan, Bolton and Blackpool written all over us.

[JBiz]

There's two reasons people will still go to Ewood;

1. They love this idea of Super fan status.

2. They can't think of anything else to do with their Saturday afternoons.

There used to be a time when I couldn't imagine not going to Ewood every single season. Now I just feel bitter towards the whole corrupt regime.

If we stay up this season we'll be lucky - got Wigan, Bolton and Blackpool written all over us.

I agree with much of what you say but I still go to Ewood to spend time with friends and family, and I still have some faint hope that things will get better! That's not saying we couldn't play golf or do something else, we choose football! Don't get me wrong, not expectant as I used to be, stomach would be full of butterflies a week before the season in days gone by.

The pre season results stuff is irrelevant, we both know that.

[Jimmy612]

I agree with much of what you say but I still go to Ewood to spend time with friends and family, and I still have some faint hope that things will get better! That's not saying we couldn't play golf or do something else, we choose football! Don't get me wrong, not expectant as I used to be, stomach would be full of butterflies a week before the season in days gone by.

The pre season results stuff is irrelevant, we both know that.

Yeh people have always said this. I think for a normal club with strong managerial structure and a clear plan moving in to the season, then pre-season results shouldn't be too much of an indicator. For a basket-case like us, poor performances and a lack of cutting edge going forward is a big fat warning sign.