https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn-rovers-civil-war-john-eustace-exit-3530745

Thanks for the post. I don’t want to publicly post why we have planned but one of our team is talking with various supporter groups about next steps. WATR will take the moral high ground. We will support the players and their coaching team…..given the efforts put in by our players this season they deserve our support. There are other ways of getting our messages over. We cannot and will not stop what you are doing and it is great to see someone showing great initiative. It would be good to link up and get an agreed coordinated approach. Please DM the We Are The Rovers account on here and our account holder(s) can take it from there.

A good idea…..it is in hand.

Not by us. We have requested a meeting. If the Club refuse to meet it will become a major issue in the forthcoming debates on The Football Governance Bill.

Yes. Duncan was also on Radio Lancs this morning (listen from 07:38) and all The national media outlets have it. Henry Winter is running with it.

We have had to play the long game and get our timing right in terms of calling out the Venkys and their representative. It has been a difficult and challenging journey and we recognise why some supporters have been critical of us. The Venkys continuing to own our Club is now untenable. It is time for Rovers supporters to call the tune and plan for a new and different future for our Club. The media campaign has already started. Other work and planning for the future of OUR Club is underway.

https://www.roverstrust.com/news/newsletter---december-2024 Notes of our MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) Meeting held 12th December 2024: The meeting was again conducted in an open constructive fashion. Positive two way engagement took place. These are the agreed notes from our meeting with the Club.   Club Finances: WATR asked about the discrepancy in the statements made by the Club and those contained within the VLL Annual Accounts regarding the Club being a going concern. SW confirmed the Club statement within the BRFC 23/24 statutory accounts would reflect the current situation on the going concern notes and that due to a timing issue the VLL accounts had been worded without the adjustment that had taken place to allow the remittance of funds to the club. He confirmed he would be signing off the Club accounts by the end of December and that the Owners are able to make payments to the Club (currently with a bond / guarantee) having acquired a No Objection Certificate from the Indian Authorities. The Club would be requesting further funding for the second part of the 2024/2025 period to assist with covering statutory payments, operational costs and to allow activity in the January transfer window. SW stated the Club was currently in a good position on the pitch and was financially stable. It was generally felt the Club had opportunities to build upon its current first team form and league position to stay in play-off contention and that it would be looking to strengthen the first team squad in key positions during the forthcoming winter transfer window in January. The Club were also asked about the Senior Training Centre (STC) and its ownership. SW confirmed all loans had been paid off with funds provided by the Owners; he also confirmed the Club pay rent to the Owners relating to the transfer of the STC to VLL 2 but the aim was to bring the STC back into club ownership as soon as possible and at an appropriate future juncture. WATR welcomed the intentions regarding STC ownership and said this would be warmly welcomed by the vast majority of supporters. Safe Standing: WATR stated their support for Safe Standing at Ewood Park. The Club told us they were in discussion with the SGSA, Safety Advisory Group and various external parties in regard to the plan and costs for this exercise. Rovers had sought information from other clubs and recognised that safety rails could be fitted as a more cost-effective alternative to tip-up seating/barrier units. The Club were costing options, but this would have to be considered alongside other ground repairs and improvements. 150th Anniversary: The 2nd meeting of the 150th Planning Committee had taken place the previous day. This meeting included two representatives of the WATR Board alongside senior BwD Council representation, the 100 Club and the Community Trust. A Club lottery bid had been submitted and the Club now await the Heritage Lottery Fund coming back to them in the next two to three months. A wide range of ideas had been discussed including gable end murals on several buildings across town as well as a music festival, blue plaques, an anniversary book and a celebratory home fixture as close to 5th November 2025 as possible. WATR welcomed the collaborative approach taken by the Club and offered to sponsor a gable end mural featuring Rovers supporters of all backgrounds and ages. WATR also reiterated that the 150th Anniversary year would be a good opportunity for the Owners to attend one or more games. Season Tickets 2025/26: The Club welcomed the WATR document although they were unhappy it had been sent to the local media without being pre advised. The Chair of WATR recognised the concerns raised and stated we would give the Club sufficient notice with any future media engagement. The WATR document focussed largely on the marketing of ST’s and the need to look outside of the Club’s existing database and to engage and market those outside of the immediate BwD area. A lengthy discussion took place on pricing. It was noted that although the early bird pricing for adult tickets has varied between £319 and £399 over the past six seasons, the volume of adult season ticket purchases has remained largely unchanged. The number of adult ST sales in the 2018/19 season when the early bird price was £319 was pretty similar to adult season ticket sales this season. The Supporters Trust highlighted that other local clubs offered lower-priced season tickets. In response, the Club emphasised that while the lead adult early bird price might be lower, Preston North End's (PNE) U23 season ticket prices were twice as high, and overall, PNE’s average season ticket cost was £44 more expensive across all age groups. The Club also pointed out that, on average, only Oxford, Hull, and QPR had cheaper season ticket prices, while Cardiff and Stoke's prices were similar. With adult season ticket sales accounting for less than 45% of total sales, and 55% consisting of concessions, it is important to take both age groups and concession pricing into account when evaluating the overall season ticket pricing structure. There was recognition that financial targets were set by the Owners / Board and these would not reduce in the future; WATR stressed the need for more innovative approaches and bundling with other Club offers. The Club stated they would seriously consider our proposals and welcomed further discussions. WATR stressed the need for better fan engagement and proactive communications on financial matters. Supporter Engagement: The Club were open and receptive to the proposal of several roadshow meetings with supporter groups from February / March onwards. WATR volunteered toplay a key role in assisting in arranging these meetings alongside the Club. The medium-term aim is to set up a Fan Advisory Board with the longer-term aim of convening a Shadow Board with appropriate supporter representation. Further discussion took place on the Football Governance Bill with the second reading in the House of Lords throwing up various amendments that could delay the Bill becoming Law. Both the Club and WATR were of the view that an Independent Football Regulator would be a real positive step forward for improved football governance along with Fan Advisory Boards / Shadow Boards eventually being established. It was clear that Rovers are continuing to advance their preparation and readiness for changes to the future framework of football. WATR 2025/26 Season Ticket Proposals The full WATR document can be found at: https://www.roverstrust.com/news/season-tickets-2025-26-proposals Our proposals focus on: value; atmosphere; timing of sales; marketing outside of BwD and thinking outside the box. We summarise our recommendations as follows: Earlier sales targeted for the final home game of the season Free school tickets for the final home game of the season to coincide with the ST launch Consistent, fair pricing and removal of deadlines A reduced game ST for those living over 25 miles from Ewood Bundling of ST’s with added options The Riverside prices should be reduced and ‘entry level’ Season Tickets offered in the uncovered seats A meaningful attempt to target areas outside of BwD Sales leaflets should be produced and delivered to new housing estates in the locality of Ewood Park The match day atmosphere should be addressed Safe standing should be funded and introduced as soon as possible. A Happy Christmas and New Year!! We Are The Rovers Supporters Trust wish all members and Rovers supporters a very happy blue and white Christmas and New Year. Let us hope 2025 is successful. If you have any feedback please email: chair@roverstrust.co.uk

The meeting took place with the full knowledge of our Board. It took place on Friday and was arranged at our request and was at short notice. We had always planned to put out a communication on Monday, Glen was aware of a forthcoming communication. That communication also has to be approved by our Board.

Gav, your £20 and a bottle of fizz await 😉

Ian, I believe comparing brfcs with WATR is a bit like comparing apples with pears. WATR is a Community Benefit Society and has to act within legislation; it is made up of paying members and is managed by an elected board of Directors. Brfcs is a private company with owners and individual messageboard posters of who some (I can only identify 4 but it must be more) are members of WATR. Whete this “WATR are more representative” comes from I don’t know. Our membership has never been as high as we would wish but we are changing that as explained yesterday with our new website, better communication etc. WATR does not have a messageboard nor does not seek to compete with brfcs. Both have different roles but are able to compliment each other on occasions.

I said it in jest; my warped sense of humour. We don’t get biscuits by the way however we may raise it as a formal complaint at our next MoU meeting. Either that or I will take my own Hobnobs and charge the Club for scoffing them. £10 sounds about right 😉

First para: I explained the context. There are a wide variety of views. Second para: No, we do not have a campaign ready.

Chocolate Hobnobs - I guess most of you know that already

True

Kenny. WATR would not dream of making such personal comments about individual owners of this message board. We have an elected Board and they hold a wide cross section of opinion. My role is to try and get the Board to a consensus on a way forward, it can be challenging given the different views.