[Archived] Open Floor Meeting To Unite The Fans

[Ribble Rover]

What if we are 3-2 up on 75 mins and pushing for another?

Nobody will leave

[perthblue02]

Seriously? You think stadium design doesn't consider the capacity the concourses must be able to hold and then add a very healthy margin for error?

According to the guide to safety at sports grounds doc from the department of culture media and sport, concourses should be able to hold occupation of between 30-50% of the area that it serves. Not sure if that will apply to Ewood but does not seem to have changed much since the new Ewood was built.

So in effect with a crowd which will probably be already 50% down on capacity and not everybody taking part in a walk in walk out protest, it should not be a problem but no doubt the Venkcountant will be trying to spin H&S regs

[Jock]

With respect, that's just bunkum. One of Lancashire's smallest men, well into his late 20's, was first out onto the pitch last time. And that was from the Blackburn End!

Up until 1992 I believe it was the law that people would pee in the coat pocket of the fan stood in front of them if they needed to go? The country's gone soft Paul.

Late 20's

[toogs]

Un-coordinated protests here and there by a smattering of people is a waste of time.

3,000 plus on the pitch and bring the game to a halt - Sky might notice that.

Are you going on first Jim?

[bob fleming]

What if we are 3-2 up on 75 mins and pushing for another?

Nobody will leave

Yes they will. Well, I will anyway. In the scheme of things winning one match means absolutely nothing after the last five years. They have to go.

Late 20's

Well in.

[Baz]

What if we are 3-2 up on 75 mins and pushing for another?

Nobody will leave

3 goals for us in 1 game? At least think of something credible.

[Hasta]

What if we are 3-2 up on 75 mins and pushing for another?

Nobody will leave

i wouldnt worry about that scenario happening. However if it did people would need to stay strong and walk.

[Jock]

What if we are 3-2 up on 75 mins and pushing for another?

Nobody will leave

I will. Probably only miss Wolves equalising and getting a late winner.

[arbitro]

I think the whistles proposal was the one which will create more publicity through the disruption it would cause to the game. It will also satisfy any boycotters who don't want to enter the ground as these can be blown from various locations outside the ground.

One word of warning though is that the club could eject and ban anybody who blows them inside the ground.

Overall I was disappointed with the meeting tonight as I felt there was no structure to it and when I left around 9 pm nothing had been officially organised. The best recommendation came at about 8.55 when it was suggested that a group be set up with the sole intention of organising various forms of protest. In my opinion that was the most salient point of the evening but it almost seemed to be passed by.

The real positive though was the passion there is for Blackburn Rovers but the word needs to be spread out to the fence sitters to back whatever form of protest happens.

[bazza]

I think the whistles proposal was the one which will create more publicity through the disruption it would cause to the game. It will also satisfy any boycotters who don't want to enter the ground as these can be blown from various locations outside the ground.

One word of warning though is that the club could eject and ban anybody who blows them inside the ground.

If a thousand people blow whistles, can you see the club banning them from the ground?

The gates are low enough.

[Paul]

According to the guide to safety at sports grounds doc from the department of culture media and sport, concourses should be able to hold occupation of between 30-50% of the area that it serves. Not sure if that will apply to Ewood but does not seem to have changed much since the new Ewood was built.

So in effect with a crowd which will probably be already 50% down on capacity and not everybody taking part in a walk in walk out protest, it should not be a problem but no doubt the Venkcountant will be trying to spin H&S regs

Thanks. I had found that document but not that bit. Much more the sort of figure one would expect.

[arbitro]

If a thousand people blow whistles, can you see the club banning them from the ground?

The gates are low enough.

No but they could just pick on individuals. People need to be made aware, that's all.

[JBiz]

Whistles, delaying the game, running on the pitch etc hands a big fat excuse to the players and manager. Peaceful and positive protesting that promotes the right message is what we need, if the fans left at 75 to sing and chant outside jack walker, after a round of applause at 18 minutes, the club wouldn't be able to instigate any way to stop, the actual team and manager can't cry distractions either!

[arbitro]

Whistles, delaying the game, running on the pitch etc hands a big fat excuse to the players and manager. Peaceful and positive protesting that promotes the right message is what we need, if the fans left at 75 to sing and chant outside jack walker, after a round of applause at 18 minutes, the club wouldn't be able to instigate any way to stop, the actual team and manager can't cry distractions either!

I don't believe we should consider what the players or manager think or whether they will use it as an excuse. This is far, far bigger than that.

[perthblue02]

No but they could just pick on individuals. People need to be made aware, that's all.

But how do they know that a sound is actually coming from an individual whistle if there are lots being blown, if you see one of the groping gestapo coming towards you you stop blowing, just having a whistle in your mouth does not mean you used it , it could be part of your quitting smoking therapy

[Dreams of 1995]

I was there today and spent most of my night shaking my head. Wayne was evidently @#/? off and he had good reason to be. The night was billed as an ideas night but quickly turned into a Q&A/group therapy. I understand the frustrations but tonight was not the platform to do that. A massive disappointment in that respect.

Also I didn't understand the bloke at the end. He demanded someone put their balls on the line, and along with a few others kept demanding organisation/action, but refused to put his/their name forward to do so. Mark Fish, Wayne Wild and associates should be commended for what they have done so far and should be commended further for sitting in front of what they did tonight. Further to that, it became clear that the seat to the left of Birdy (by that I mean Birdy's left) should have been filled by Glen and not the bloke that sat in silence throughout. Glen had as much of a right as any man to be sat on that stage and have his voice heard, especially as he had answers to most questions.

Some poor representation in the room and equally some terrific participation. A night of highs and lows for me. I gave my number to Phil at the end to help although I'm unsure I can do anymore than the men already doing it.

I also put my hand up to speak but was ignored by some repeat speakers and that clueless prat who accused some Indian blokes of being representatives of the club. Shocking behaviour. I was going to propose that in order to boost the attendance for the Wolves game we could try and push a "bring 1" movement. If our average attendance is 10 thousand and every person brought 1 that is 20 thousand, although I don't expect for one moment everyone will commit to it but even if only half bring an extra person it is still an improvement on current attendances. If we boost the attendance for the Wolves game + massively impact the game with disruptive tactics then we have had a hugely successful night of protesting.

I would like to see Glen more involved with the blokes on stage though and that's something that should be looked at.

It was a crying shame they spent more time answering questions about the past than they did fanning the flames for new, innovative ideas.

[JBiz]

Yea but the media will portray it as destructive, it's nailed on. We need support from the masses, not a general feeling that this is about results and Coyle, which is exactly what the idiots on SEM news will say.

Full minute of one jack walker, at 18 - party protest at the statue before and after, boycotters outside for the whole game if they choose too.

I'm just worried that this might change nothing but give sympathy for a man who should never have been appointed.

[arbitro]

But how do they know that a sound is actually coming from an individual whistle if there are lots being blown, if you see one of the groping gestapo coming towards you you stop blowing, just having a whistle in your mouth does not mean you used it , it could be part of your quitting smoking therapy

That's the risk people will have to consider. Outside the ground they can't do a thing and with some coordination it could have a massive effect on the game and attract lots of publicity. It could be done at several games too.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

I'll take your word for it Glen as I don't know but when one looks at how the BBE empties at half time there must be more than 800 on the concourse? Probably not now but in years gone by.

I'm really surprised it's such a low number.

Surely everyone waits outside the ground until 18 mins, then leave on 75 and gather outside the ground? Why gather in the concourse?

[Blow-in]

I think the whistles proposal was the one which will create more publicity through the disruption it would cause to the game. It will also satisfy any boycotters who don't want to enter the ground as these can be blown from various locations outside the ground.

One word of warning though is that the club could eject and ban anybody who blows them inside the ground.

Overall I was disappointed with the meeting tonight as I felt there was no structure to it and when I left around 9 pm nothing had been officially organised. The best recommendation came at about 8.55 when it was suggested that a group be set up with the sole intention of organising various forms of protest. In my opinion that was the most salient point of the evening but it almost seemed to be passed by.

The real positive though was the passion there is for Blackburn Rovers but the word needs to be spread out to the fence sitters to back whatever form of protest happens.

If everyone ties scarves around their mouth/faces then whistles would not be visible. So 500 people do the scarf thing and a hundred have whistles under the scarf who is to say who was causing a disruption and who was just "cold"

[Dreams of 1995]

Yea but the media will portray it as destructive, it's nailed on. We need support from the masses, not a general feeling that this is about results and Coyle, which is exactly what the idiots on SEM news will say.

Full minute of one jack walker, at 18 - party protest at the statue before and after, boycotters outside for the whole game if they choose too.

I'm just worried that this might change nothing but give sympathy for a man who should never have been appointed.

How does one night of protesting give excuses? There's been no disruption so far and they've failed to do their job.

A protest has to be disruptive. It's a ridiculous idea that we should scrap the whistling for a full minute of "one Jack Walker" for the reasons you give. We should give a full minute of whistles coupled with 50+ minutes of "one Jack Walker". Balls to them. Every successful protest in history has disrupted something. You can't protest but maintain order at the same time.

EDIT: They won't/can't come after you individually if you blow a bloody whistle in the ground. It's a mass protest and will be treated as such. An act of individualism will get you punished, an act of group defiance won't. Strength in unity. If 1000 bring a whistle they won't have the resources to track you.

[arbitro]

Yea but the media will portray it as destructive, it's nailed on. We need support from the masses, not a general feeling that this is about results and Coyle, which is exactly what the idiots on SEM news will say.

Full minute of one jack walker, at 18 - party protest at the statue before and after, boycotters outside for the whole game if they choose too.

I'm just worried that this might change nothing but give sympathy for a man who should never have been appointed.

When Charlton did their disruptive protests live on Sky I honestly didn't hear anything negative or the fans being condemned. And from memory they drew with high flying Middlesbrough. They had beach balls and blew whistles and I'm convinced because it was peaceful that they garnered more support from the wider footballing world and media.

But as I said it's beyond how the players or Coyle will perceive it.

[JBiz]

How does one night of protesting give excuses? There's been no disruption so far and they've failed to do their job.

A protest has to be disruptive. It's a ridiculous idea that we should scrap the whistling for a full minute of "one Jack Walker" for the reasons you give. We should give a full minute of whistles coupled with 50+ minutes of "one Jack Walker". Balls to them. Every successful protest in history has disrupted something. You can't protest but maintain order at the same time.

EDIT: They won't/can't come after you individually if you blow a bloody whistle in the ground. It's a mass protest and will be treated as such. An act of individualism will get you punished, an act of group defiance won't. Strength in unity. If 1000 bring a whistle they won't have the resources to track you.

I know what you are getting at and I can see that point of view it's just, whilst I might be in the minority - I still feel like the club and team is mine, and this delaying the game, stopping it etc is like cutting my nose off to spite my face?

I'm happy to walk in late and go early because that's not disruptive in that way to me. The whistles idea is not really something I'd want to do personally but each to their own.

[perthblue02]

First Lancs Telegraph report on the meeting

http://m.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/14718703.Blackburn_Rovers_fans_groups_to_travel_to_India_in_bid_to_force_meeting_with_club_owner_Venkys/

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Bring a whistle; for the Wolves game we are Blackburn Ravers.