Rovers and Venky's
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It has been sometimes since Venky's took over Blackburn Rovers.
What Blackburn Rovers fans in UK think about their Indian Owner Venky's ?
How are Venky's managing an EPL club?
Let's have it from the horse's mouth! Die Hard Blackburn Rovers fan and an acclaimed Rovers writer from UK giving a balanced account of Rovers under Venky's ownership. He discusses both positives and negatives.
Check it out -
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/?p=555">http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/?p=555</a><!-- m -->
What Blackburn Rovers fans in UK think about their Indian Owner Venky's ?
How are Venky's managing an EPL club?
Let's have it from the horse's mouth! Die Hard Blackburn Rovers fan and an acclaimed Rovers writer from UK giving a balanced account of Rovers under Venky's ownership. He discusses both positives and negatives.
Check it out -
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/?p=555">http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/?p=555</a><!-- m -->
Comments
[flash=640,390]http://www.youtube.com/v/sRkZ21RJQ0g?version=3&hl=en_US[/flash]
WITH a simple wave of their arms, the Rao brothers announced themselves to the Ewood faithful in a moment that will forever belong in the Blackburn Rovers history books.
No matter what has happened since or what lies ahead, the image of their low key introduction to the club’s supporters before the Premier League visit of Aston Villa – just two days after buying the club – will prove an iconic moment.
It was the day the glorious Jack Walker era was officially over.
You could sense the curiosity, cynicism and excitement in the blue and white army’s applause as, after years of false starts and failed takeover attempts, their club had entered a brand new chapter after fighting the financial odds for the previous decade.
At first glance it was difficult not to be swept away by Venky’s bold promises and ambitions as fans dared to dream about a return to European football, huge investment and an end to their days of scouring the Premier League bargain basement.
But beneath the surface of all the euphoria and new hope remained the question, ‘Why would an Indian poultry giant want to buy a struggling Premier League football club?’
That question remains unanswered 12 months on.
We know Venky’s want to make the club a big brand in India and want to help Rovers back to former glories, but their vision has remained blurred during a year of unrest, confusion and ultimately unfulfilled promises.
Are Blackburn Rovers any further forward than they were when Venky’s completed their purchase of the club from the Walker Trust?
The answer has to be a categoric ‘no’. They have gone backwards.
At the time, under Sam Allardyce, Rovers were just two goals away from being in the top half of the Premier League.
Now, 12 months on and after a shock change of manager, Steve Kean’s men are rooted in the relegation zone.
The promised millions of pounds of investment has yet to materialise, although more has been spent in the transfer market than would have been under the Walker Trust, as fans begin to understandably question how Venky’s plan on lifting their club back towards the top six. Just staying up would be nice.
Another sign of the club taking a step backwards since the steady control of the Walker Trust has been the years of experience that have been dismantled in the corridors of power.
Chairman John Williams, managing director Tom Finn, secretary Andrew Pincher and finance director Martin Goodman have all since departed and their loss has certainly been one of the biggest mistakes made by Venky’s.
Williams has yet to be replaced at all, leaving the club resembling a ship without a captain.
Paul Hunt may have been appointed as deputy chief executive, but he needs more help.
At the moment there is no real clarity around the club.
We don’t know who is in charge and there has never been a clear statement of intent – apart from every now and again hearing they want to get Rovers back into Europe one day.
That takes money and, while I have no doubt Venky’s have considerable wealth, I am a little bit dubious about the amounts of their own fortune they are willing to plough into the club.
I would love to be proved wrong.
They haven’t been helped by the banks being less inclined to lend money to football clubs.
But we were all under the impression Venky’s were ready to plough millions and millions of their own money into the club. We are still waiting.
No-one buys a football club to fail. The whispers about Venky’s not caring are nonsense.
We are talking about an immensely proud family who care passionately about Rovers.
It makes sense for them to make the club a success, it makes no sense for them to fail.
Their good intentions are obvious, but as of yet they have failed to put it into practice.
They have listened to some terrible advice, made some extraordinary decisions and have endured a pretty forgettable first year in football.
It was always going to be difficult but they have not made it any easier for themselves.
You could not help but fear the worst the day they sacked Sam Allardyce and replaced him with managerial novice Steve Kean. Who told them to do that?
It will never make sense.
Still, it is important to point out Rome was not built in a day.
Perhaps Venky’s have taken two steps back to move one forward?
Only time will tell, although the clock is ticking in terms of supporters’ patience.
Venky’s have attempted to bridge the gap.
They have invited supporters out to meet them at their Pune headquarters, with anyone who has met them won around, albeit temporarily.
It is the fact so much of what they have said has yet to come true that irks Rovers fans so much.
I just hope they realise quite how serious a position the club is in.
Relegation and you fear it could be a long way back.
There would certainly be little interest in India in a Cham-pionship football club.
Venky’s have deserved to be given time to adapt to Premier League football but that time has now run out.
They have to make the right decisions and back the club now before a rollercoaster last 12 months turns into a footballing disaster.
Anything else and they will never be forgiven.
If Venky’s were to cut their losses and accept a potential incoming takeover bid, their reign at Rovers would never be looked back at fondly.
But, unless they are going to start running the club with the purpose and direction we all expect, maybe this is their best option.
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The promises Venky’s made
When Venky’s completed their takeover last year, Anuradha Desai said: “We are very proud to be associated with Blackburn Rovers.
"We will absolutely respect the Jack Walker legacy and will be actively supporting the organisation to ensure that Blackburn Rovers remains one of the best run clubs within the Premier League.
"We are particularly pleased that the deal has full support of the Walker Trustees, the chairman and the management team who will of course remain in place with our full support.”
The Venky’s board gave assurances that they: a) would commit funds on a consistent and systematic basis to future transfer and/or loan activity.
b) intended to continue to support the existing management team and staff, and that it is committed to the future development of, and investment in, the club’s academy and youth infrastructure.
c) would continue to support, promote and extend the club’s local community and CSR activities.
d) would seek to extend the Blackburn Rovers name and brand into India, the rest of south east Asia and beyond.
e) would seek to develop and improve commercial performance across sponsorship, the club’s kit deal and general merchandising.
f) would seek to enhance the fan experience on matchdays and to maximise season ticket sales and any remaining matchday ticket sales.
g) intended to improve the club’s media platforms and to become more active in the social media space.
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I think the Venkeys just give us and insider on Indian Owners in general when it comes to football. Football owners from India are to quiet. I know that it seems they are not but they actually are when compared to others.
<br><div><br></div><div>That's Shahinlal</div><div>Unfortunately he got injured soon after, just have recovered...so played only a few games this season...</div><div>He was Pune Fc's 2nd goalie...goalie no.1 is Subrata Pal who is India's National team goalie. Actually, Goalkeeping is the only position we make good players. Consider this - Shahinlal (who played against Rovers) is not India's top 3-4 goalie.