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This is difficult to write. But something I have found sad on here over the years has been seeing so many posters I've enjoyed reading just disappearing. So I thought I'd say farewell, for now. Back in 1992, an elderly couple moved down from Blackburn into a semi-detached house across the road on our Somerset council estate. Being a horrible little teenager, I harassed them early on, with casual games of knock-knock-ginger. Once, they caught me at the door and “invited” me in for a chat. I suspected this might involve a blow to the head and a call to the police but, intrigued by their ‘strange’ accents, remembering my mum had the only landline in the street, and being a bit bored, anyway, I sheepishly went in. Anne made us all a cup of tea, while Doug and I sat in silence in big old armchairs in their cold living room. Out of the blue, Doug asked me if I liked football. Within 30 minutes we were onto our second cuppa and Doug was regaling me with stories of a club I knew nothing about – Blackburn Rovers – and his watching them through the 1960s and 70s. He showed me black and white collection cards of Bryan Douglas and Ronnie Clayton and he assured me, with a white-moustached smile, "the Rovers are on their way back; just you wait and see”. Doug and I met up most Saturdays, to read the sports pages of the papers and to consider the Rovers’ chances in the afternoon’s game. Before I even knew it, Blackburn Rovers was my team, my club. A million miles away from me and my home, yet just across the road. In the next few years, supporting the Rovers gave me some of my happiest life memories, whilst dealing with the stresses of school, gangs, and adolescence. I clung to the Rovers, as a representation of hope and aspiration. When Doug died in the late 1990s, I was already a big Rovers fan in my own right, despite never having been anywhere near Ewood Park. At nights, I dreamt of having the chance to be there, and during the day I knew I had to stick with the club, come what may, for Doug, as well as for myself. Well, I have tried, Doug. I’ve given it a really good go, and I hope you wouldn’t be too saddened that I can’t keep it up, now. I suspect it would be nothing next to your sadness for what has become of your Rovers. The truth is, for me the excitement of Rovers has gone, the enjoyment of our games has gone. But most of all, the 'hope' is gone. This club is no longer one Doug would recognise, and nor do I. It brings me only sadness rather than any fun, pleasure, or aspiration. Rainy drives to games at Ewood Park have left me with a deflated feeling – amplified by the stress of wondering if that game will even start/finish. My wife asked me yesterday, after I had attended a different club’s match, successfully seeking something a bit more fun, why am I still following Rovers? What do I get out of it in return for my time, energy, money? What is the point if there is no expectation of things getting any better? Why would I travel 500-mile round trips in the hope of maybe seeing a couple of shots on target? She seemed genuinely sad and frustrated for me and at how this all makes me feel and behave. For the first time (we’ve had similar conversations before), I just responded with “I don’t know. I don’t really want to, anymore.” So, with that, I now, sadly, withdraw my support for this previously great club – one that I have loved for 33 years, and always will, deep down, but which is now just the cause of unhappiness for me. I don’t know how many future seasons of football I will get to see, but I do know I don’t want them to be spent with bleakness and anger towards something that should, on some level/s make me happy. I will remain registered on BRFCS, a place that is brilliantly run and has represented a rare place of ‘safety’ for me to share views about what has been the absolute destruction of what many of us, and those before us, were able to enjoy and love. But I’ll only really be looking out for Venkys leaving, and consequent hope that the great Blackburn Rovers can be reborn. Until then, being a Rovers fan, for me, is no longer a place for happiness. The club has become a symbol of decline and disappointment, and I choose, painfully, not to have that in my life. Thank you all for being interesting to interact with. Of course, each one of us behind a username is a person, with a story of our own. So, keep being kind. Take care.

You used the word re-invest twice. I don't think you have been paying attention.

Venky's will have to sell the club and we get bought out by cash throwing billionaires to afford those 3 game changing forwards by the end of this transfer window. Fingers crossed! 😂

The 5 at the back worked pretty well when we had the players to play it. None of the centre backs looked good enough to play in just a 2. Maybe that isn’t the case now. We had Alebiosu and Hedges as pretty effective wing backs. It allowed us to play Ohashi and Gudjohnsen up front as a pair when neither of them had what it takes to play up front on their own. They looked to be forming a good partnership when Gudjohnsen got injured unfortunately. Alebiosu is missing at the moment, Hedges is probably out for the rest of the season. Gudjohnsen is out for a while yet. So the plan is in tatters. Without some signings we are just drifting downwards.

If it was me I would sign 3 game changing forwards... A striker who can hold up the ball and generally be a nuisance to defences. We give the opposition nothing to think about in general play at the moment with our powder puff attackers. A striker with pace who has a record of scoring goals in the UK. A forward/attacker/winger who can drag us to 3 points with power/pace/individual dribbling skill (ideally all 3!). If we had any money left over would go for another of no 2!

"Will you sign for less than you're currently on?" "Harry?....Harry?"

Good on you, pal. I'd love to know where the wins and goals are coming from, but let's hope you're right.

Ritchie Barrett - Some Other Guy

We need a bloody good striker, to strengthen our attack.

If we've offered it, then financially probs not.

That costs money- our owners won't spend any.

Santana - Fried Neck Bones And Some Home Fries

Not the point i was making. 'Struggled with the step up' The point is they are no use to us right now and all need to be on loan getting used to mens football. Meanwhile Harry Leonard used correctly would have been very useful to have around this season but like Gueye his running/pressing stats wouldn't have impressed Ismael. Regardless of the fact we need someone with a bit of poaching/movement in the box nous whilst Andre is missing.

That appointment for Oxford nails down another relegation spot for me. Leaves one left between us ,Charlton, Portsmouth & Norwich.

If those players are the benchmark then we may aswell plan for League 1 and beyond. Dont doubt that recruitment has been not fit for purpose but Dlamini/Powell/Doherty are nowhere near ready either. The only 2 choices arent and shouldnt be playing kids who arent close to being ready or signing players as bad as weve seen to wear the shirt.

Made his Hearts debut eight months after we won the League Cup!

The question is - was the contract offer worth considering or not?

I think the only way we see the back of the 5 man defensive and the team's appalling goal scoring record is if Ismael goes.

We've strengthened our defence, can we now put right, what's wrong with Blackburn Rovers, STRENGTHEN OUR NON EXISTENT ATTACK.

The trouble with any talented player is that they'll struggle to shine in our current team. If Messi played for us, he would probably just retire 🤣

He started very slowly, but has been on form the last couple of months.

I disagree, Baradji is just back from a lengthy injury. He's one of our better players.

We have to buy him first - all well and good him doing great etc but will he sign the contract for a crap relegation threatened team?

I agree, Baradji is class in the making. No doubt other clubs will show interest in time. If we can't hang on to talented players, we remain Championship class, or lower.

I agree, they aren't first team ready but I think if they were all given the same opportunities as Tavares, Henriksson and De Neve then I have no doubt they could have had the same impact, if not better. Will they be better players in the long run? Hopefully! but based on what i've seen, I think we've spent a lot of money on the wrong players. I hope they prove us all wrong and improve next season.