Venky's AGM coming up AGM 26/09/2018 This is to inform you that, the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the members of Venky''s (India) Limited will be held on Wednesday, 26th September, 2018 at 10.30 a.m. at Sheraton Grand Pune Bund Garden Hotel, Raja Bahadur Mill Road, Near Pune Railway Station, Pune "Any other Business?" "Yes - Do we still own that Soccer team in UK?" "I think so, maybe - It's all gone very quiet. Do we have a man over there ? Who knows?" "Any important questions?"

The red button on my TV just seems to switch it off! I think I'm missing something

I thought so. But if that is the case then what is the point in ending the permanent transfer window early when this is, in effect, a permanent transfer?

Genuine question, no judgement of Brereton's abilities at all, but how does the 'loan with a view to permanent move' work ? Are we committed to signing him or can we simply send him back in January if things don't work out?

I remember when the ST used to be like a book of raffle tickets. The ticket number for each game was posted above the turnstile and was seemingly selected at random from the remaining numbers in the book. There was always a little bit of panic as I flicked through the book of tickets convinced that the required number was missing and I would be left outside Ewood while all my mates strolled in.

I am sure the club must have known about the assault and his need to do community service. It was public knowledge and even mentioned on this message board a few times. We all know that the club keeps up with BRFCS!

Approval from Pune?

I think you are spot on here. I don't think Madam D will be signing any cheques while Venky's are still under ASM. The earliest this will be lifted is 1st August but more likely September or October. Has any money been spent at all this summer? - Maybe Oxford have been paid but City may be happy to wait a while. As you say, new contracts don't require cash up front. Mowbray has stated deals are close and he understands why they are not being completed. I'm convinced it is cash flow from Pune. Trying to sort out settlements with other clubs with no cash up front is obviously going to be difficult - maybe impossible!

Cost cutting? - not going to figure in 1st team so let someone else pay his wages?

I think you are right. When Rich Sharpe spoke at the Rovers Trust meeting in early June he seemed convinced that we would make 6 decent signings ( including loans) that would impact the 1st team. He had spoken to Mowbray that day and all seemed optimistic after the trip to India. It seemed that Mowbray had a definite list of targets at this point. I think it was implied that the budget was better than last year ( bearing in mind the sale of Steele mostly paid for Dack ). Since then, Venky's have had a lot to deal with in India - the Indian stock exchange has placed the company under ASM ( additional surveillance measures ) due to some irregularities in share dealings. Nothing illegal, but it has had a drastic affect on their share price which is plummeting ( down over 50% in a few weeks ). They are also nervous of an upcoming election which may reverse the beef ban in India and will affect their business. So the EFL transfer window is probably not on their agenda at the moment and any extra money leaving the company to pay for Rovers players would not be too popular with Venky's shareholders. We are way down their list of priorities and it will always be the case. There may be other reasons why we have not signed the players Mowbray hoped to get in before the Austria trip but I bet Communication with Venky's and release of funds is a major problem at the moment.

I'd take league 2 with new owners who actually care about the club and build from there. Current situation is a complete sham. Venkys out.

the site seems to have sprung back into life. Rovers history page has some interesting bits

Just surfing the net and came across this: http://www.venkyschicken.com/ It's a bit naff but maybe they are actually taking an interest - or possibly trying to cash in on our success last season? No idea if it is new or not.

Been an open secret for weeks on the Oxford message boards. At least 3 weeks ago it was described as a 'done deal' Seems that he has shown promise for a long time but never held down a regular place under any of 4 different managers at Oxford. Had a few spells out injured too. See how it goes.

Rich Sharpe gave a talk at the Rovers Trust meeting a couple of weeks ago. He said he regularly talks to Tony Mowbray and seemed to have knowledge of the players on the managers radar and the budget promised for transfers ( if it materialises! ). However, he is professional enough not to start spouting details of what he knows. He would lose the manger's trust and maybe derail any ongoing discussions. Seems like a nice guy and a real Rovers fan.

What if they admit that they never have board meetings ? will that give you confidence the club is in good hands? The whole purpose of these meetings, I believe, is to talk about the workings of the club off the pitch. To give the supporters a chance to ask questions about how things are run behind the scenes. Honest answers from the club could help increase the fans' trust in the owners. If done correctly it is an opportunity to build bridges. If the whole evening is taken up by the manager talking about the playing squad and hopes for the coming season there is little point in having the meeting. It's a chance for us to ask the questions we want and, possibly more importantly, a chance for the club to be open and honest and engage with the people who care about the club.

Add Cairney to the list but the 'cash in' on him happened so quickly there was no talk of him being unsettled. In fact he said himself he has happy at Rovers. I'm sure it will happen again in the future. Has Lenihan signed a new contract yet?

Being realistic, I am sure Lenihan's agent will be telling him not to sign anything. at this point. If he has a good season and plays at international level then the offers will come from far and wide when his contract runs out. Unless Venky's come up trumps with a big new contract very soon I think he will be gone in 12 months.

Are these rumours, stories or discussions ?

I think you are right about Lenihan. I can see him running his contract down unless we offer a big rise which is unlikely. He has made the Ireland squad and a good season could give him a lot of options this time next year. It would be good to see Chapman and Armstrong return but I would think Jack Payne could possibly be a cheaper option. He has 1 year left on his contract at Huddersfield so they may want to get rid while they can still get a fee. Not as good as the other two players but I can see him being considered. Fits with Venky's 'young and hungry' mantra

I have the same worries. Venky's share price has plummeted since Tony went to India. It's possible other issues will take priority over Rovers' transfer budget. Hopefully not.

I would say cautious rather than negative - but thanks anyway. To me, a stated aim of being 'youthfully competitive' is not particularly ambitious. If we sign 5 youngsters who send us racing up the league table I will be more than happy.

I sometimes wonder if Tony has been given a directive from above and doesn't have a free hand at the moment. Mowbray has also said he wants to give last year's squad a chance at playing in the championship as a reward for their great work and attitude last season. If we sign youthful players good enough for the first team then some of last years team will have to drop out. We have a few youthful players of our own who are knocking on the door. Last year we borrowed a couple of youngsters from the premiership who were no better than the ones we had ( from West Brom and Liverpool ?). I think the quote from Tony (above) is very carefully composed and it gives grounds for optimism but doesn't really promise much.

I remember Gavin Friday the singer from the Virgin Prunes. A fellow countryman of yours. Turning the thread on it's head, how did Emile Heskey get 62 England caps?

Another 5% wiped off today as soon as the market opened. Then suspended. Don't think they will be answering Tony's phone calls at the moment