[Archived] Championship 2016/17 Season

[OJRovers]

There is no money you could pay me to work behind that bar with 7,000 Geordies on the lash crowding round for service.

[Dunnfc]

Great a tin shed literally, so how much has this cost the club?

Just wondering if we could get the local pubs to cater for away fans to boycott the thing?

[den]

I can confirm that this contraption has been parked behind the Darwen End together with Fan Zone signs.

Seems to me this has probably come from a "brain"storming meeting on ways to increase revenue to counter reduced gate receipts from home support.

Wouldn't they be better off having brain storming sessions about how to increase gates?

I could give 'em two or three for starters.

[JHRover]

I don't see any harm in creating a 'fan zone' area on the space behind the Darwen End for away fans to gather pre-match and even post-match.

The Fernhurst burnt their bridges several years ago by banning football supporters from going in. Fox and Hounds is home fans only, so the nearest away friendly pubs are Golden Cup and Uncle Jacks, which most away fans, particularly those coming in by coach or by train, won't get chance to go to.

Get as many people as possible spending their money. They should add a big screen, tables, benches, food stalls and even music and shelters to try and create something different which will be financially useful to the club.

There's no doubt that with 7,000 Newcastle fans arriving tomorrow, along with anticipated large crowds coming from Leeds, Preston and Villa this season, that it will probably pay for itself on the back of those games alone.

Again its probably about 10 years too late. It would have been a good idea in the Premier League and in the Championship over the last few seasons with regular 1,000+ away followings and several 6,000+ away followings every season, but where we're going I doubt 150 fans from Gillingham and Southend are going to make this a worthwhile addition. The likes of Northampton, MK Dons, Oxford and Wimbledon won't be packing the place out and spending fortunes on the fan zone.

I'm looking forward to seeing how many home season ticket holders have been kicked out of their seats for tomorrow's game. Clearly the police are getting excited for the big day and 'major operation' to deal with the Newcastle fans, hence the daily countdowns to 'Operation Ewood'. Expect vast swathes of seats to be netted off and maximum inconvenience caused to home fans to accommodate our guests.

No wonder really that the club have agreed to facilitate the sit in protest. In tandem with the cops they'll be delighted if Rovers fans go and sit in the stand for 30 minutes whilst they evacuate the Newcastle fans from the area and get them out of the way first whilst the home fans are safely contained in one area.

[Stuart]

Away fans should be treated with dignity and as fairly as possible, and even made to feel welcome but we are now actively trying to give away our home advantage.

IMHO, somebody somewhere has had a brainwave that they could replace the lost Rovers fans by trying to grow the away supporter numbers to fill the DE. One problem with that theory is Sheffield United and Bolton are likely to be in the Championship next season so if Bradford go up via the play-offs we'll be relying on Wigan as the only team to use these tinpot facilities. Another problem is that you further alienate your own supporters.

If only somebody was putting more thought into getting results on the pitch rather than just through the till. Never ever let an FD run a company, let alone a football club.

[JHRover]

It's a lot easier to increase the away support than the home support when you're in a position like Cheston is in.

Keep ticket prices reasonably low, allocate whatever amount of tickets the away club wants, set them the challenge of filling the Darwen End if they can to have the biggest away following in the league, forcibly relocate Rovers fans if necessary, give the away fans a great day out by putting them next to the pitch, now providing a new 'fan zone' to further increase revenues from them with 3-4 bumper crowds on the horizon.

Of course the only way home crowds will grow by any significant level are by either 1) getting rid of Venkys 2) changing manager or 3) putting out a quality product on the pitch.

None of those things are going to happen any time soon, and gimmicks like the 'promotion pledge' and other stunts we've seen recently won't make a shred of difference to a club and fanbase driven to the brink over 6 years of misery.

Like I say, nothing wrong with the club maximising the amount they get out of away fans, but over the last couple of seasons (since Cheston started running things) it's increasingly looking like Rovers relish these bumper away followings as a big pay day and are doing whatever they can to encourage large away followings whilst doing nothing to try and turn around rapidly declining home crowds, even kicking Rovers season ticket holders out of their seats and moving games to 12pm kick offs to ensure the away club gets their full Darwen End.

[MGAndy]

It's a lot easier to increase the away support than the home support when you're in a position like Cheston is in.

Keep ticket prices reasonably low, allocate whatever amount of tickets the away club wants, set them the challenge of filling the Darwen End if they can to have the biggest away following in the league, forcibly relocate Rovers fans if necessary, give the away fans a great day out by putting them next to the pitch, now providing a new 'fan zone' to further increase revenues from them with 3-4 bumper crowds on the horizon.

Of course the only way home crowds will grow by any significant level are by either 1) getting rid of Venkys 2) changing manager or 3) putting out a quality product on the pitch.

None of those things are going to happen any time soon, and gimmicks like the 'promotion pledge' and other stunts we've seen recently won't make a shred of difference to a club and fanbase driven to the brink over 6 years of misery.

Like I say, nothing wrong with the club maximising the amount they get out of away fans, but over the last couple of seasons (since Cheston started running things) it's increasingly looking like Rovers relish these bumper away followings as a big pay day and are doing whatever they can to encourage large away followings whilst doing nothing to try and turn around rapidly declining home crowds, even kicking Rovers season ticket holders out of their seats and moving games to 12pm kick offs to ensure the away club gets their full Darwen End.

Which means that attendances / gate receipts & bar spending ARE of concern to the club.

This shows that boycotting IS an effective method of protest and dispells one of the mythical excuses regularly used by the 'Appy Clappers.

[tomphil]

I know they were pushing the boxes and corporate stuff for Ewood on Newcastle websites ages ago so they'll probably be full of barcodes all over the ground. If they shut the Riverside next season they'll probably eventually try and get away with giving a section of that to huge followings if we manage to stay up.

Yes they need to maximise revenue but starting to try and find ways of plugging the holes with away fans is pathetic. How long before they are offering to subsidize visiting fans travel to boost numbers ?

[ABBEY]

Which means that attendances / gate receipts & bar spending ARE of concern to the club.

This shows that boycotting IS an effective method of protest and dispells one of the mythical excuses regularly used by the 'Appy Clappers.

#BOOOOOOOM

[Stuart]

It's a lot easier to increase the away support than the home support when you're in a position like Cheston is in.

Keep ticket prices reasonably low, allocate whatever amount of tickets the away club wants, set them the challenge of filling the Darwen End if they can to have the biggest away following in the league, forcibly relocate Rovers fans if necessary, give the away fans a great day out by putting them next to the pitch, now providing a new 'fan zone' to further increase revenues from them with 3-4 bumper crowds on the horizon.

Of course the only way home crowds will grow by any significant level are by either 1) getting rid of Venkys 2) changing manager or 3) putting out a quality product on the pitch.

None of those things are going to happen any time soon, and gimmicks like the 'promotion pledge' and other stunts we've seen recently won't make a shred of difference to a club and fanbase driven to the brink over 6 years of misery.

Like I say, nothing wrong with the club maximising the amount they get out of away fans, but over the last couple of seasons (since Cheston started running things) it's increasingly looking like Rovers relish these bumper away followings as a big pay day and are doing whatever they can to encourage large away followings whilst doing nothing to try and turn around rapidly declining home crowds, even kicking Rovers season ticket holders out of their seats and moving games to 12pm kick offs to ensure the away club gets their full Darwen End.

If that's the club's view then they are missing the point.

Staying in the division is the best way to keep revenues up. With Sky now sharing the PL with BT, the Championship is being show regularly at prime time slots (granted you have to be playing against Leeds or Newcastle to benefit but still) and League One and Two must be experiencing a major loss in revenue in comparison.

Also dropping out of the division is likely to lose more home supporters so forget growth, maintain what you have now. Convince people that everyone is working as hard as they can behind the scenes to make Rovers successful on it. This does the exact opposite. And for what 3 or 4 bumper crowds a season? We are already hoping for the fabled 'lucrative early FA cup tie against a PL team - how long before a QPR away game is a real money spinner for plucky Rovers?

[Hasta]

Let's hope the Geordie hordes are in a better mood than they were after Wegerle scored in the last minute - especially as we are popping them up before the game.

[philipl]

Let's hope the Geordie hordes are in a better mood than they were after Wegerle scored in the last minute - especially as we are popping them up before the game.

Will be perfectly OK with a repeat of the lacrimose reaction to Fenton's late double.

[philipl]

One point out of the last 15 and spent all of 6 out of the last 450 minutes' playing time leading a game.

Don't need to be Russell Grant to see what the stars, entrails or OC's sweaty palm are telling us.

Signs of life in the clubs immediately above us so down by Easter seems to be a safe prediction.

[perthblue02]

Aser Group acquires 50% of Leeds

https://www.leedsunited.com/news/club-news/21478/aser-group-holding-acquires-50-of-leeds-united

[tomphil]

Wouldn't it be fantastic to wake up one day and find Seneca had acquired 51% of Rovers. Go on Venketash lad you know you want to........

[JHRover]

Leeds have had their fun with Cellino and suffered embarrassment over the last 2-3 years but now seem to be coming out the other side of it. Just imagine an owner who realises it isn't working and accepts the need to hand over to someone with more idea and more interest...

Likewise Forest. Clueless owner has made them into a laughing stock and taken them backwards despite wasting millions. Yet they're still in the same league as when he found them a few years ago and the finish line is in sight for them as they look to rebuild.

Alas we're into year 7 of this rubbish and they still can't do the decent thing and pack their bags.

[tomphil]

Cellino is a fly boy no doubt about that but he seemed to realise he couldn't have it all his own way or just click his fingers and expect it to work but even he seemed to have the right intentions.

Yet again our lot stand out a mile from the others in being clueless but with dodgy motives.

[Blue blood]

The Leeds and Forest cases strongly support the fact our owners are doing something dodgy. Stubborn, proud, clueless - all describe the owners of those 2 clubs, and yet they're willing to call it a day. Ours aren't - so what word describes them and explains their actions? I'd suggest corrupt...

In other news Burton have bolstered or promotion chances by signing Luke Varney. If that's the game changing proven quality signings they were on about, then we might not be the only club not strengthening in Jan.

[davulsukur]

Wouldn't it be fantastic to wake up one day and find Seneca had acquired 51% of Rovers. Go on Venketash lad you know you want to........

I wonder if that now Desai and her husband are out of the equation, Bala and Venketash would be more receptive to a potential sale?

They obviously don't give a toss anymore (well ever really but you get what I mean) and surely selling us wouldn't make too much difference to them? Although there is the "minor" issue of being £100m in the red. No one's clearing that anytime soon.

[chaddyrovers]

Didnt Balaji blocked a sale of Rovers 4 or 5 years ago? Mrs D and Mr D wanted the sale then. And I think they want to sell the club now but Balaji probably doesnt still.

[Husky]

Does anyone know how the Elton John ticket sales are coming along?

[davulsukur]

Didnt Balaji blocked a sale of Rovers 4 or 5 years ago? Mrs D and Mr D wanted the sale then. And I think they want to sell the club now but Balaji probably doesnt still.

Not sure to be honest. Just thinking that now Desai has given up on Rovers and in all likelihood has withdrawn all family/company funds, that leaves Bala and Venketash having to put up money they don't have.

There could be skeletons in the closet but selling could give them an exit on their terms, whereas administration doesn't.

Not sure how it works in either situation with the debt but if we went into admin the club would effectively be up for sale anyway.

[ABBEY]

Didnt Balaji blocked a sale of Rovers 4 or 5 years ago? Mrs D and Mr D wanted the sale then. And I think they want to sell the club now but Balaji probably doesnt still.

Ffs stop making out you are in the know... your not , no one is when it comes to these scumbags

[chaddyrovers]

Not sure to be honest. Just thinking that now Desai has given up on Rovers and in all likelihood has withdrawn all family/company funds, that leaves Bala and Venketash having to put up money they don't have.

Could be the current situation. Guess time will only tell

[chor808]

Could be the current situation. Guess time will only tell

I'd like to believe it but no one really knows. Can we ask? I don't mind sending an email. If the ownership make up has changed no reason why they would not tell us, or am I naive?

Anyway the more give up the better if true, one down two to go.