[Archived] Open Floor Meeting To Unite The Fans

[Stuart]

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/

Reading the comments below that (very supportive) article it seems clear that the LT Rovers comments sections are now dominated by smug Bumley fans.

[Iceman]

Well spoken tonight Matt really good, I thought Neal was brilliant as was Abbeys idea about delaying the game.

Marion for me was a star though we need her front and central someone people can really resonate with

As an alien from afar, who may i ask is Marion

I think that was key, tonight Gav. Baby steps, imo. We can't leap with this, peak, and lose momentum.

But what if we our next 5 games before the Wolves game? Unlikely, but what then? We are going to get the "how can you protest, when we just won 5 games on the bounce."

Imo, the Wolves game is too far away, especially with such a scenario possible. Its a pity we couldnt get one of the next 2 games on tv.

[Iceman]

was Rover the Chicken banned from Ewood after his last pitch invasion?

[Stuart]

But what if we our next 5 games before the Wolves game? Unlikely, but what then? We are going to get the "how can you protest, when we just won 5 games on the bounce."

Imo, the Wolves game is too far away, especially with such a scenario possible. Its a pity we couldnt get one of the next 2 games on tv.

Would 5 wins convince you that we have turned a corner and Venkys are right for the club?

[Iceman]

At least if you guys are going to walk in as a United front on 18 mins, at least walk in holding hands and forming a chain. That will show solidarity to the cause, and while doing that, chant Venkys out. As i said, it needs to be an organised group with a name ie Blue and White Knights or something, so that you can print tshirts with the name.

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/

The comments on the LT is cringeworthy.

[Iceman]

Would 5 wins convince you that we have turned a corner and Venkys are right for the club?

You know Stu im anti venkys so no, clearly not. But my question is around those who will try and let the protesters know how silly it is for them to protest on the back of a few good results.

Which is the reason im a bit worried that the Wolves game is too far, and that some form of action should be taken at all our home games leading up to the Wolves game.

[Paul]

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

If the club wants to stop this protest, which I imagine it would, if large numbers are massed outside the ground waiting for the 18th minute all that has to be done is to close the turnstiles. End of protest.

Therefore protesting fans need to enter the ground as usual and stay in the concourses until the 18th minute before taking their seats.

Don't forget the club, the authorities and Sky know of these discussions. Sky will apply pressure to the club to do what is necessary to prevent the game from being disrupted. If the ground is empty Sky will shrug it off. Being inside is essential to be effective.

Admittedly there would be people locked out but this would at best get on local TV.

[Iceman]

If the club wants to stop this protest, which I imagine it would, if large numbers are massed outside the ground waiting for the 18th minute all that has to be done is to close the turnstiles. End of protest.

Therefore protesting fans need to enter the ground as usual and stay in the concourses until the 18th minute before taking their seats.

Don't forget the club, the authorities and Sky know of these discussions. Sky will apply pressure to the club to do what is necessary to prevent the game from being disrupted. If the ground is empty Sky will shrug it off. Being inside is essential to be effective.

Admittedly there would be people locked out but this would at best get on local TV.

agree with this, and i was thinking the exact same thing. All it would take is for the club to close up and thats that. Fans need to be in from the start, then do something on 18 minutes, and then walk out on 75 mins

[Paul]

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.

Ha. Ha. When I was around 13, so 1967/68, I was taken to Anfield and stood on the Kop. What an experience.

At half time semi-circles would appear in the crowd so fans could pee on the terrace. The Kop was so crowded getting off was impossible.

[Craigman]

Anyone live really close to Ewood who could let fireworks off after 18 minutes and 75 minutes?

[Iceman]

run onto the pitch with a Venkys out Banner and plant it in the middle.

[gazsimm]

fans will still enter the stands though if the protest goes ahead, familes etc will want to watch the game and not be involved with the protests. I am all up to protest against the owners but i just don't think it will have an effect with the Venkys. Maybe a stoppage of the game might be a better idea.

[Claytons Left Boot]

In those five years, i have suffered threats countless times, including threats to my life, i have been assaulted by our own supporters, the club gave me an ultimatum to either stop protesting or face a stadium ban, i have camera's trained on me for 90 minutes at football matches, i have received solicitors letters, had the clubs PR company sending me threats in the early hours of the morning, among many other things. Five years ago, i never knew what lay ahead - i simply looked at a guy that was fighting for this club, OUR club and stood up alongside him.

Great post, Mark.

After a post like that, we then have folk who go on at length, giving all and sundry a million excuses why they feel unable to blow a f whistle.

Fans like Mark and Glen have gone to hell and back. As supporters here we need to show a united front and carry out as much demonstrative action as possible without constantly whining about it.

[PAFELL]

I agree that we don't need another group but I do think we need to give ourselves a clear title in our protests and efforts because there needs to be a focal point for organising, funding and voting for which protests go ahead, there needs to be structure to bring together the fan base. I feel that at the moment there's too much of a divide between supporters who choose to go and supporters who choose to boycott. I feel if we were all under one banner (just as an e.g. 'Rovers Against Venkys') both sets of supporters might have a little bit more respect for each others actions because at this point any action is positive.

A point i wanted to make that I didn't get chance to elaborate on was about targeting the F.A. from a different direction. I've mentioned on another thread that got sidetracked about starting something called "Fans on Board". I touched on this and Wayne responded about how they've contacted the F.A. about fan representation at board room level. I think it could be good to start this organisation ourselves, separate from Rovers protests (although i think it will help our situation) and try to get other supporters groups from other clubs on board through the 'Fans United' movement. We briefly spoke about the FSF (Football Supporters Federation) and I feel their goals are too widespread, I think there needs to be an organisation SPECIFICALLY forcing this issue on the F.A. to make it mandatory the the fans are represented in the board room to stop situations at Rovers from happening again and to stop what is happening now. I think we need to think big and outside the box and personally I'm 100% convinced that this is the only way (fans on board), I'm fully committed to the idea but I just don't know where to start with it. I feel that most fans of almost every club would vote in favour of this, Arsenal, United, Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle, Leeds, Coventry, Portsmouth to name a few I feel would back this idea.

I have given my details to the guys tonight but feel free to contact me on here.

One area the FA have to look at - is examining their fit and proper owners test. It clearly has no baring on how a club is run. The test is only about 'Have they got money - Have they got criminal records' Then they are granted permission to run a club.

Owners should be made accountable in all aspects of running a club. If an owner does not do it properly - the FA should step in.

If a certain amount of people sign a petition - government has to debate the subject. There are fans from other countries with bad owners running their clubs. I am sure they would sign such a petition.

If your looking for a banner for the various fans group to unite under, why not ROVERS UNITED AGAINST VENKYS.

[yoda]

One area the FA have to look at - is examining their fit and proper owners test. It clearly has no baring on how a club is run. The test is only about 'Have they got money - Have they got criminal records' Then they are granted permission to run a club.

Owners should be made accountable in all aspects of running a club. If an owner does not do it properly - the FA should step in.

If a certain amount of people sign a petition - government has to debate the subject. There are fans from other countries with bad owners running their clubs. I am sure they would sign such a petition.

If your looking for a banner for the various fans group to unite under, why not ROVERS UNITED AGAINST VENKYS.

Can you stop putting united in your suggestions

[had.e.nuff]

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

Nobody will leave

Where are the going to play this game? Fantasy Island!

[Iceman]

Where are the going to play this game? Fantasy Island!

wouldnt it just be our luck, if we suddenly go on some amazing run of results leading up to the Wolves match. That unfortunately and as bad as it sounds, is terrible thing to happen. We really are currently stuck between a rock and a hard place, because ideally we want to get resultts, but on the other hand, well im not sure getting results now is such a good thing. Actually im very confused right now, and i sound like a bad fan for wishing bad results on the team lol

[Jock]

Anyone live really close to Ewood who could let fireworks off after 18 minutes and 75 minutes?

The hill behind the Riverside is ideal. Is it Council land?

[Ribble Rover]

The hill behind the Riverside is ideal. Is it Council land?

Anyone could set them off there. I suppose it's council owned

[he6rt6gr6m]

One area the FA have to look at - is examining their fit and proper owners test. It clearly has no baring on how a club is run. The test is only about 'Have they got money - Have they got criminal records' Then they are granted permission to run a club.

Owners should be made accountable in all aspects of running a club. If an owner does not do it properly - the FA should step in.

If a certain amount of people sign a petition - government has to debate the subject. There are fans from other countries with bad owners running their clubs. I am sure they would sign such a petition.

If your looking for a banner for the various fans group to unite under, why not ROVERS UNITED AGAINST VENKYS.

As Glen said last night, the PL, EFL, FA, nobody cares. It'll get brushed under the carpet for the country's leagues to look squeaky clean. As far as they're concerned, these sorts of things don't happen in English Football. We aren't Italy.

There's still a lot of focus needs to be put on firm ideas to make the owners sit up and take note, to watch and think "enough is enough, time to go". Right now, we've got ideas of protest against the club with the owners not feeling it the slightest. The ideas are good, and if I didn't have my own personal crusade on in not going to games, the #18in75out idea would be top of my list.

But last night, Wayne's idea of getting a professional unit of fans to go over and start to not only get the owner's attention, but amass a PR and media campaign whilst over there was the idea of the night. That isn't a protest.

Along with that, the one thing last night showed to me was complete unity between all supporters groups, and a coming together of Rovers Fans with the vast vast majority singing from the same hymn sheet. The passion and the willingness to do something, anything, big or small, to save this club was something I found to be very powerful. And if anyone thinks those two together constitute a failed meeting, then I strongly disagree. Other than the man at the end continuing to ask for ideas and structure but actually offering none through the meeting for fear of "losing everything", I think it was a night to be proud of being a Rovers fan.

[SuperStella]

£578 to have an advertisement banner at the Poultry India conference, with Venkys a confirmed exhibitor as explained by someone at the meeting last night..

http://www.poultryindia.co.in/banner-registration#contactform_banner

[Hasta]

The hill behind the Riverside is ideal. Is it Council land?

But whose going to notice it?

TV Camera's won't pick it up (even if they could they would ignore) and the noise will be secondary on the screens. We could do that every game and no-one is going to give a flying fig.

Walking in and walking out on mass demonstrates how much of the fan base is united against the owners. However to get people outside of Blackburn really asking the morning after "What is really happening at Blackburn?" and then seeing The Rao's in their true light, it would take a disruption of the game.

The whistles is a good idea. Many (me included) wouldn't risk going on the pitch but if some of you feel the risk is worth it then the opportunity is there. The game being stopped for one pitch invader is common place. The game being stopped 10 times at random intervals would be different. Of course you'll probably have to live with a fine and a ban.

[Iceman]

what time do Sky cameras normally get to the ground?

But whose going to notice it?

TV Camera's won't pick it up (even if they could they would ignore) and the noise will be secondary on the screens. We could do that every game and no-one is going to give a flying fig.

Walking in and walking out on mass demonstrates how much of the fan base is united against the owners. However to get people outside of Blackburn really asking the morning after "What is really happening at Blackburn?" and then seeing The Rao's in their true light, it would take a disruption of the game.

The whistles is a good idea. Many (me included) wouldn't risk going on the pitch but if some of you feel the risk is worth it then the opportunity is there. The game being stopped for one pitch invader is common place. The game being stopped 10 times at random intervals would be different. Of course you'll probably have to live with a fine and a ban.

not the right person to say or ask this.. But lets say somebody gets banned, can the club un ban them if new owners were to come in?

[Tom]

£578 to have an advertisement banner at the Poultry India conference, with Venkys a confirmed exhibitor as explained by someone at the meeting last night..

http://www.poultryindia.co.in/banner-registration#contactform_banner

That was me sorry I wasn't expecting to speak so completely fluffed my lines but a couple of chaps near me made good points about hitting them in their backyard and wanted to follow on

The exhibitor list seems to have changed a bit since I looked last but it seems VHL now have one large stall in hall 2 instead of a few smaller ones

[LDRover]

Mixed feelings about tonight. It was good to see so many people that care, that in itself made me a little emotional but I was disappointed how some people conducted themselves. In these times its vital that people leave their ego at the door but it turned out to be exactly what i expected, people wanting answers and to vent their frustrations... It @#/? me off. I agreed with the fella from down south at the end but the way he put the point across wasn't right, it was making a scene and counter productive.

I spoke at one point, I was nervous and I hope i came across ok but I felt like something constructive needed to be said to get the thing back on track. I spoke about working with other fans, shaming the F.A. etc and i think the panel felt like they should give a response to it, i didn't want answers it was just an idea but responding to these ideas mislead the whole concept of the meeting. I wanted to speak again at the end to get the meeting back on track and try and get some results and decisions made but it ended before I got chance.

I felt there needed to be a CLEAR name given to these new protest movements like 'The Tangerine Knights', we should have discussed this and people chuck some ideas for names out there... Afterwards I came up with the idea of "Rovers Against Venkys" which I feel has a clear message that this is NOT their club and we will stand against them. This was just an idea, i also put it to Mark Fish afterwards... Thoughts?

I also thought it needed to be discussed how we were going to vote for which protests are going to be focused on, twitter poll? BRFCC poll? Especially if like Wayne proposed we are all going to invest in protests, we need to vote on these things but none of this was discussed.

I walked away disappointed due to peoples conduct and the lack of productivity at the end of the meeting. I felt like there needed to be a few stronger personalities to keep this meeting on track, credit for those who made this happen though. Personally I think there needs to be some fresh faces to head up these sorts of meetings. There was a lady who spoke early in the meeting who I spoke to afterwards, she was strong and articulate she would be perfect and has the right mentality, I also put myself forward if need be.

I was interviewed by Rock FM afterwards, I think i came across well but the final question caught me well of guard, she asked "what has it been like to be a Rovers fan these past 6 years"... I'm a little ashamed to say that i couldn't hold back the tears and replied "there are no words".

Well done to all those that organised this though, you have my gratitude and respect but to everyone else talking about how frustrated they are etc... Leave it at the door, this is the time to discuss how we move forward, we're all frustrated and none of us have any answers, it was cringeworthy to think some thought people like Mark and Wayne had all the answers and could speak for the club. Please think before you speak and if you don't have anything constructive to say other that whinging or talking about frustrations then don't speak! Leave it to those who have ideas. I think this point needs to stressed before the next meeting to keep it in check and I would personally do that if need be because I found it bloody frustrating.

You spoke well Neal, I was stood next to you and could sense your frustration with how some people were behaving.

So, well done, I wouldn't have had the balls to do what you did. Just next time though mate, don't wear your sister's leggings.