Hornets.

Its incredible that two clubs who have spent between them the best part of half a billion quid can be so extravagantly awful. But so delicious! The only thing that has kept my interest in the prem has been seeing them both plummet down the table. Terrible game but enjoyable nonetheless. I hope we can look forward to more of it next season. Not sure notts forest or crystal palace would take a player off either side except maybe Fernandes or Van der ven. Strange times indeed.

What Rachel has posted: Time to Speak out… Last year, I was advised to protect myself and not speak out when Reading WFC’s owners made the decision to self-relegate us. I followed that advice. But after the confirmation that Blackburn is taking the same path, after careful thought I believe it’s time to speak out. Not enough attention has been paid to how we can stop this from happening again. I want to protect the women’s game more than I want to protect myself. I hope this message is received as I intend—not as an emotional response to one club, but as a call for football to do better and protect our game. Did Reading receive enough criticism last year? Did their actions make it acceptable for clubs like Blackburn to simply U-turn on their women’s teams and submit £0 budgets? Could they be encouraged or required to sell the women’s side to new investors rather than self-relegate? Reading Women had multiple offers to be bought out, but the owner, Dai Yongge, simply didn’t and the only reason that makes sense to me is that couldn’t be bothered. There are legitimate investors out there who see the long-term potential in women’s sport. Outdated mentalities are holding us back. If you don’t care, step aside—gracefully and in time—and let someone else invest the money, time, and passion. You can miss out on the rewards. There’s been a severe lack of communication and care for the impact on players and staff, who have worked tirelessly to keep the club in the league—despite being given by far the smallest budget. Does the "fit and proper owners" test have a category for the women’s team? When Owners pass this test to take on the men’s team is there any requirement for their intention to invest in the women’s team because we are always the first thing to be sacrificed? In the club statement, the fans were blamed for low attendance. But fans are frustrated with the owners—they aren’t attending the men’s games either. There’s been a complete lack of investment in marketing and advertising for the women’s games. You can’t expect fans to turn up without a proper strategy. Emma Clark, Head of Commercial, worked tirelessly to bring in new sponsors, but her creativity and ambition were constantly restrained. Last year, the women’s team budget was £100,000. We were told the men’s budget was £45 million. In our league, the next lowest women’s budget was more than double ours. And yet, through resilience, determination, and unity, the staff and players kept this club in the league—even when the bookies had us down as certain to be relegated. To put things into perspective: the highest-earning player in the men’s squad, earns £20,000 a week. We don’t earn that in a year. Blackburn’s academy has produced countless internationals—Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway—and that's just to name a few. But the next Keira Walsh now has no pathway to professional football at Blackburn. Talented girls will have to leave just to have a shot at progressing. That may mean traveling over an hour to places like Manchester, often during GCSEs or A-levels.There is a positive: the FA and women’s professional leagues are introducing minimum standards for 2025/26, including a minimum salary. For someone my age, that would be £27,000. This year, I was only paid £15,000—less than minimum wage. But because our training day was condensed, and we had to leave the ground right after lunch, the hours just about kept it classed as “part-time” despite full-time demands. These new rules will force owners to run women's teams properly—or step aside for clubs who will. Another improvement: this year, the deadline for these decisions was brought forward. We’re finding out in May, not July like at Reading. That gives players and staff more time to find new clubs and allows the league time to replace us so there are 12 teams next season. Last year’s late decision left the league with an odd number. Despite it all, the Championship is growing every year. Newcastle vs Sunderland had a record attendance of 38,502. Clubs like London City and Birmingham have budgets over a million already. One final issue: WSL2 players still don’t have access to the PFA. Only players who have played in WSL1 are eligible. I’m fortunate—I played for Doncaster Belles in WSL (another team that folded while I was there), that gave me access. The PFA have been excellent in helping me get out of my contract at Reading, they supported me during my ACL rehab at Charlton and continue to support me during this situation at Blackburn. However, the vast majority of my teammates don’t have any support. This includes the likes of Niamh Murphy who is just 2 months post ACL op! In the men’s game, the PFA supports the top four tiers. I’ve been told WSL2 players aren’t eligible until the league is 100% professional. With these new minimum standards coming in, surely that time is now. Can we have clarity from the FA or PFA—will WSL2 players have access from next season? The women’s game is still fragile. We need owners and investors who see the long-term gain and are willing to risk their time and money on something truly special. You can’t under-invest, neglect the team, and then expect to profit when the sport becomes more lucrative. Either invest—or let someone else do it properly. Please share this to raise awareness and encourage those in power to step up and protect the future of women’s football.

I didn't think my contempt for the useless pillocks running out club could get any more extreme.

No interest whatsoever. I watched tonight’s game out of curiosity with 2 English clubs involved but it was even worse than I expected. That’s it for with football for me. Our local cricket club needs help and that’s where I’ll be for the next few months until Rovers kick off another season of dashed hopes and ultimate disappointment

football winding down for me,watching and betting wise,bring on the cricket,im`e not interested in that money making ****,which,after a long season for european players,will be like walking football

Ireland hammered West Indies today in a 1 day international and Englands women won too. The Sun probably won’t cover those fixtures….🏏

There is the World club cup to come.

I don't need to repeat what other posters have already eloquently put, but to add to this. My opinion is that if it was somewhat known Venkys are now willing sellers*, there'd be a queue out the door. A founding member of the football league, the only town team to win the Premiership, six time FA Cup winners, league cup winners. Most teams in England with that heritage would cost much more than Rovers. * - appreciate that wouldn't happen.

Rubbish game, rubbish goal, rubbish result. Two clubs it’s difficult to like but I’d rather a dislikeable northern club beat a dislikeable southern one. The football season drags on and on, it’s far too long. Time for cricket.

no regard for spurs but it`s great to see utd suffering so badly😁 with no sign of any improvement,bit optimistic of me hoping they spend a fortune this summer on more **** and get relegated next year,only the fact that the 3 promoted sides were terrible saved them from serious trouble this year,might be different next season,if ferguson pushes up daisy`s soon it will be even better

What an abysmal game the Europa League final was, 90 mins of play acting, feigning serious injury, and trying to get opponents in trouble on both sides. Pleased the Red Scum lost though. Hopefully it magnifies any financial issues they may or may not have. How did Bruno Fernandes get away with remonstrating with the referee like he did after one of his team mates was booked? Ludicrous.

They need someone to blame. How long until Whorecox takes the fall. Lancashire Telegraph hiring?

Yeah but that's all I wanted them to do - I'm penny pinching. I'd have tried my hand at plastering but the wife made us get someone in.

Have them Albanians only done half a job Dom?

I'm this situation I default to 'anyone but united' Dire match though, I've had to take a break to caulk a window in the extension.

Clearly nobody interested is in this UEFA Cup final, but I’m desperate for both of them to lose.. Spurs 1 up, 2 bad sides.

Kieran Maguire doesn't know what he's talking about. The bloke's a complete throbber.

The statement from WATR is a disgrace. Meek, mild, pathetic, pandering shit. Stop fucking about and join the coalition now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5y88zdgzp8o Good on Dugdale for also speaking out. No contact to the players since the announcement was made, unsurprisingly. Calls on the owners test to also incorporate women's teams. Even better is her linkedin post. Lots of interesting detail about the club, highest earner etc. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rachel-dugdale-338b90123_reflections-on-blackburn-rovers-reading-activity-7330864751251451906-5uC-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAB6bztwBhX25L8-tIrXRBZDOYrqfmREtgTQ&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacICQ-RIlgQqTgeCKnZir8HnML6UKaYyUEmEERn7q8ctAG48lc-ACSJ1Hgvaw_aem_egOuzZyycqtGeYElVVHUFA

Weimann was a great signing but at 34 off an injury I'm not too bothered if he goes. Can put wages towards a younger guy with resale, and give Tyjon chances in first team.

Bring on the boom!

im`e thinking similar,probably sell them all,then attempt to blame the players,saying they wanted to leave despite all of them receiving a "substantial contract extension"

Yep we are getting to that territory now. Flog Brittain, Travis or Tronstad to a Middlesbrough or West Brom for a couple of million to pay the lekky bills until August.

I hope so with, Waggott, Suhail and Gestede still in the building 😁