[Archived] Mike Cheston - Venky Puppet

[Neal]

The spine of this man, the absolute spine of him. I cannot believe what I've woken up to and read this morning, if he was in reaching distance he'd be a very unfortunate man.

“If it’s a protest vote then you’re damaging the club, you’re damaging the staff, you’re damaging something you actually enjoy doing."

So... I am damaging the club. Wow. Absolutely @#/? unbelievable. Believe me Mike, if I actually enjoyed going to Rovers then I would go but while Venkys are here? No, no I don't. My choice not to go isn't solely because of this, it's because of the Venkys have almost ruined my football club.

To blame the fans for damaging the football club whilst being Venkys personal arse piece is beyond comprehension. Best thing to do there would have been to shut up because behaviour like that is only going to further encourage people like myself to stay away and strengthen my belief that this is the right thing to do. Personally, if I feel the overwhelming urge to go and see Rovers then it will be away from home.

What Mike fails to appreciate behind his silly little desk, looking at figures and spreadsheets is that... VENKYS haven't just damaged my football club, they have single handedly ruined a community of people with a common interest. I accept there are people who will disagree with me in my decision to boycott but fans like me are left with very few choices under the circumstances. My dad won't be renewing after decades of support... These are the sort of fans that have been lost due to the DAMAGE they have done. My dad's decision not to go isn't even as in depth as mine, he's just fed up with it and doesn't even get any enjoyment out of it now, it's been totally sucked out of it for him. Why should he feel any different? With no investment into the playing staff, no atmosphere, bad football, no ambition, what exactly is it that you're supposed to believe in? We both hope for the sake of the club that the team and manager pull off some sort of miracle because that's what it's going to take now.

To point the finger and say "You're damaging the club"... Unbelievable. As someone else pointed out, this stinks of desperation, from a guy who is out of his depth and knows it. The gloves are off Mike Cheston, you absolute cretin, you're in the firing line now.

Venkys Out! Cheston Out!

[tomphil]

As someone who is wavering on the brink of boycott I'm insulted by his comments to be honest. Last thing I'd do is run and buy tickets after that. Just completely ignoring the real problems and a subtle attempt at blame shifting.

I respect the fact he speaks to the press because he's said more in the last few weeks than Shaw did in his entire time here never mind the communication/commercial sick leave gravy train guy. However his job is to crunch numbers and so is his experience so I'd suggest if he isn't going to address the real problems he'd be better slinking into the back office and staying there.

It's like Chester Zoo selling all the popular animals and replacing them with plastic imitations yet still expecting people to turn up and pay to look !

[ABBEY]

agnew.v2.

[SoldierMo]

Vicious circle we are in

[Roverall]

Cheston can do one as far as I'm concerned. A conceited, over-promoted, bootlicking little yes-man.

[Amo]

Divide and conquer tactics.

[ABBEY]

Like I said its Venkhog Day

[glen9mullan]

I have renewed, but disgusted by what I read this morning.

Although the spin appears to be working on other social media.

Typical things I have read today.

Some happy with bargain signings as its better than embargo.

Many agree with his words

People pointing at Graham as the coup of the decade

In fairness its the usual suspects who are glass half full always, which is their perogative.

Personally I feel we are not only a million miles from progressing, but will never ever be back to half the club I remember when I attended my first game in 1983. Back then we had nothing, but going gave me goosebumps every season , it was one of the biggest highlights of growing up.

Being the underdog, the town club , it was all a great buzz.

Now we cant give tickets away,

People still believe supporters walking away is just one of them , actually in some quarters they cannot understand how difficult it was for many of those to walk away and stop doing something they have done for decades.

Yes some walk away because we are not premiership, but some have walked away who would of watched this famous club in any division had it not had his heart ripped out by the Raos, Dodgy agents, chancers and un-qualified apologist in the board room .

Will I walk away? probably not

Am i excited for the new season? No

Am I happy with this whole situation? Certainly not

Does rovers still give me goosebumps? Has not since these clowns arrived and I witnessed our club torn to pieces in which I got up close and saw it from an angle I wish I had never subjected myself to.

[tomphil]

I wouldn't take any notice of other social media to be honest because it's far easier for the PR spin merchants to invade the LT boards etc and get away with it than on here. Even so glancing at other media for every 2 banging the drum there are 5 who feel the same as a lot on here.

Anyway the proof so far is in the ST sales although the final figure will increase it's still likely to be significantly down for the first time since relegation. Says it all.

[perthblue02]

Speaking of venky puppets as the new go-between been announced yet?, or have we been inundated by experienced candidates and conducting a thorough worldwide search before giving the job to the guy the job spec was designed for.

[gumboots]

I was just thinking about this, intending to include the question if i wrjte to mr cheston again

[tomphil]

Speaking of venky puppets as the new go-between been announced yet?, or have we been inundated by experienced candidates and conducting a thorough worldwide search before giving the job to the guy the job spec was designed for.

The last time it was like this they presented up Derek Shaw and have probably out done that with Coyle so it's going to take time to come up with one suitable enough to @#/? people off more and out trump those two appointments

[1arC]

Perhaps Mr Cheston doesn't know what went on before he actually turned up at the club! The statement about how Mrs D Wanted to entertain the fans and How Kean was given an improved contract for failing. Contracts given out like confetti to all and Sundry, who became millionaires over night. The new Chris Smalling, who just happened to be an agents son, who was good enough to play for any premier league team outside of the top five. The contract given to a manager that wasn't read properly, that cost the club the equivalent of 2 years worth of season ticket renewals. The refusal to play certain players, whilst we were still in the premier league, without an explanation. The ridiculous comment by the manager promoted beyond his capabilities, that there was no way we would be relegated. The throwing of a cup game at Cardiff, as we had more important games coming up.

I could go on, but that the sort of thing that really damaged the club Mike and perhaps a warts and all explanation from the owners, might just go some way towards slowing down the continued damage to the club. It is certainly not the fault of the fans who have lost faith and no longer attend. Look a little closer and you may see the answers, right in front of your eyes.

[Rover_Shaun]

It's the fans fault? A new God is born for some on here.

[ABBEY]

Wonder how many Kleenex spark has used today

[booth]

Poor, misguided and inciting statement.

Just the sort of thing we need at the moment.

[ABBEY]

Don't think there is anything misguided about it

[Neal]

I wouldn't take any notice of other social media to be honest because it's far easier for the PR spin merchants to invade the LT boards etc and get away with it than on here. Even so glancing at other media for every 2 banging the drum there are 5 who feel the same as a lot on here.

Anyway the proof so far is in the ST sales although the final figure will increase it's still likely to be significantly down for the first time since relegation. Says it all.

Down by 4000 from this time last year I hear.

[gumboots]

Perhaps Mr Cheston doesn't know what went on before he actually turned up at the club! The statement about how Mrs D Wanted to entertain the fans and How Kean was given an improved contract for failing. Contracts given out like confetti to all and Sundry, who became millionaires over night. The new Chris Smalling, who just happened to be an agents son, who was good enough to play for any premier league team outside of the top five. The contract given to a manager that wasn't read properly, that cost the club the equivalent of 2 years worth of season ticket renewals. The refusal to play certain players, whilst we were still in the premier league, without an explanation. The ridiculous comment by the manager promoted beyond his capabilities, that there was no way we would be relegated. The throwing of a cup game at Cardiff, as we had more important games coming up.

I could go on, but that the sort of thing that really damaged the club Mike and perhaps a warts and all explanation from the owners, might just go some way towards slowing down the continued damage to the club. It is certainly not the fault of the fans who have lost faith and no longer attend. Look a little closer and you may see the answers, right in front of your eyes.

If he doesn't know he damned well should. It's one of the things I'd have made sure I found out about as there were plenty of news stories about at the time and plenty of people from all areas of the club and its fanbase for him to build up a clear picture, or as clear as it can be when there are so many liars and so little fact about that people build their own theories about what's going on. The very fact of confusion and uncertainty around the club should have told him all was not well. I think he knows full well but he's in a nicely paid job and wants to keep it so he says what they tell him or what he thinks will gain him favour in their eyes and doesn't bother how that sounds to us, the fans.

[Amo]

Deckchairs, Titanic.

Whoever they put "in charge" has a firefight on his hands. We all know the CEO at Rovers is effectively a puppet with no personal control of the club. Every major decision has to be run through Venky's and their cronies. Cheston will have targets to meet, and although it's a low blow to try to guilt fans into renewing, in his position there isn't a lot he can do to improve the situation.

[Neal]

Deckchairs, Titanic.

Whoever they put "in charge" has a firefight on his hands. We all know the CEO at Rovers is effectively a puppet with no personal control of the club. Every major decision has to be run through Venky's and their cronies. Cheston will have targets to meet, and although it's a low blow to try to guilt fans into renewing, in his position there isn't a lot he can do to improve the situation.

Well, I have to seriously question his capabilities of doing the job he's been given if he thinks blaming the fans is going to turn season ticket sales around... Quite the opposite actually. I've spoken to quite a few who were on the fence which Mike has just today made their minds up for them.

Well done Mike Cheston, what an absolute genius.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

If its a protest vote then youre damaging the club, youre damaging the staff, youre damaging something you actually enjoy doing."

Well,well,well....it's the fans fault now is it.

Comments similar to those of Bill Taylor,how much are these people being payed to shift the blame away from the Loons from Pune.Smoke and Mirrors this season folks!

Truly sickening,this is so damn wrong it's unreal

[Neal]

“If it’s a protest vote then you’re damaging the club, you’re damaging the staff, you’re damaging something you actually enjoy doing."

Well,well,well....it's the fans fault now is it.

Comments similar to those of Bill Taylor,how much are these people being payed to shift the blame away from the Loons from Pune.Smoke and Mirrors this season folks!

Truly sickening.

Absolutely furious. It takes a lot for a Rovers fan to be dumbfounded these days but wow... Who the @#/? does he think he is? He's been here 2 minutes and thinks he can address the fan base like that and win them over? Jog on you imbecile.

[Hasta]

Instead of a tiny fans meeting, stick him in Blakeys in front of a couple of hundred fans like Shebby did and lets see him tell the fan base face to face that they are damaging the club.

[A cup of beans]

Another reprehensible f-er.

I'm not renewing, but I maybe think this outburst shows real panic at the lack of renewals.