WATR (The Rovers Trust)

[dallydally]

The Club Statement is a total insult. No surprise there!

[TheRoversGRL]

2 minutes ago, glen9mullan said:

Try and take a few days , it's a tough gig, but we need more like you to have a go.

It’s hard Glen. I was just having a conversation with Luke, All Rovers. Especially in the last few weeks, I’ve fallen out of love with Rovers. It’s not the club it used to be and we need to keep banging that drum on the higher managements door. People need to be held accountable for this. 

[Mattyblue]

I’ve cut them a lot of slack, I’ve been a member for a decade, but fundamentally it seems a very cautious, bogged down in procedure organisation and they seem to struggle to quickly pivot and get on the front foot.

There is still a place for them, it has a committee full of dyed in the wool Blues that care deeply, but in a time of crisis they just aren’t going to lead any resistance - but luckily others will, as proven today.

Edited March 28 by Mattyblue

[TugaysMarlboro]

9 minutes ago, TheRoversGRL said:

It’s hard Glen. I was just having a conversation with Luke, All Rovers. Especially in the last few weeks, I’ve fallen out of love with Rovers. It’s not the club it used to be and we need to keep banging that drum on the higher managements door. People need to be held accountable for this. 

You were on a hiding to nothing when taking the mantle of media comms. Our frustrations aren't with you as an individual (and I hope you're aware of that) because you can only communicate what is communicable and my personal history with WATR information dissemination, is lacklustre at best.

Reading between the lines, your personal stance is not aligned to WATR's stance for next action steps, it's likely they don't align with mine either. Which is perfectly acceptable - if its communicated and everyone knows what they're signing up for.

 

I'd highly suspect that if the WATR group came out and said "we want to continue our critical friend approach" - the majority of the previous weeks/months sign-ups to the group, would ask for a refund and for their membership to be rescinded. All anyone who is a member, was a member or is interested in becoming a member wants to know is: What are you standing for and what is your approach?

Allow supporters to make an informed decision. You'll then know if the member base agrees with you (if they monitor metrics for sign-up numbers, lapsed memberships, etc.)

Edited March 28 by TugaysMarlboro

[glen9mullan]

14 minutes ago, TheRoversGRL said:

It’s hard Glen. I was just having a conversation with Luke, All Rovers. Especially in the last few weeks, I’ve fallen out of love with Rovers. It’s not the club it used to be and we need to keep banging that drum on the higher managements door. People need to be held accountable for this. 

We do, and many of us feel this way.

However as long as I can get air in my lungs i won't let these b@@@@@@@ win.

In groups we've all had these days of feeling , what's the point.

The fact we talk about it, galvanises the point and we get back on the horse 

Try not beat yourself up .

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

36 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

I’ve cut them a lot of slack, I’ve been a member for a decade, but fundamentally it seems a very cautious, bogged down in procedure organisation and they seem to struggle to quickly pivot and get on the front foot.

There is still a place for them, it has a committee full of dyed in the wool Blues that care deeply, but in a time of crisis they just aren’t going to lead any resistance - but luckily others will, as proven today.

You ask the question...are they fit for purpose,are they relevant anymore?

Edited March 28 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Tom]

1 hour ago, TheRoversGRL said:

You won't hear from me again in terms of media officer. I have taken the decision to resign from WATR this afternoon. I can’t sit back and let this happen to the club. 

Very commendable and it’s right that each ‘group’ or unit will have their own place and plans and if it goes against your own it’s right to step away.

I did the same with the fans forum 14 years or so ago as whilst I fully appreciated why they couldn’t take the stance I would have wanted to I wanted to do something different myself whilst having huge respect for those in it 

[Upside Down]

2 hours ago, TugaysMarlboro said:

You were on a hiding to nothing when taking the mantle of media comms. Our frustrations aren't with you as an individual (and I hope you're aware of that) because you can only communicate what is communicable and my personal history with WATR information dissemination, is lacklustre at best.

Reading between the lines, your personal stance is not aligned to WATR's stance for next action steps, it's likely they don't align with mine either. Which is perfectly acceptable - if its communicated and everyone knows what they're signing up for.

 

I'd highly suspect that if the WATR group came out and said "we want to continue our critical friend approach" - the majority of the previous weeks/months sign-ups to the group, would ask for a refund and for their membership to be rescinded. All anyone who is a member, was a member or is interested in becoming a member wants to know is: What are you standing for and what is your approach?

Allow supporters to make an informed decision. You'll then know if the member base agrees with you (if they monitor metrics for sign-up numbers, lapsed memberships, etc.)

This is the crux of the issue.

What is the stance of WATR?

This isn't a difficult thing to communicate.

[TheRoversGRL]

16 minutes ago, Upside Down said:

This is the crux of the issue.

What is the stance of WATR?

This isn't a difficult thing to communicate.

I can’r speak on behalf of WATR as I'm no longer a board member, but personally I believe that they want to keep dialogue open with the club to see if their can be communication or some sort of dialogue with the owners to try to sell the club. Ultimately, on a personal level. I think that ship sailed months/years ago.  If they can’t speak to anyone in years. Why all of a sudden are they going to speak now? 

[Upside Down]

8 minutes ago, TheRoversGRL said:

I can’r speak on behalf of WATR as I'm no longer a board member, but personally I believe that they want to keep dialogue open with the club to see if their can be communication or some sort of dialogue with the owners to try to sell the club. Ultimately, on a personal level. I think that ship sailed months/years ago.  If they can’t speak to anyone in years. Why all of a sudden are they going to speak now? 

They need to communicate this to the membership. We've been asking this question for literally years.

As a member, my opinion is that the only interaction we should be having with the owners is assisting with the transition to a new ownership (chucking their shit out of Ewood and Brockhall).

[TheRoversGRL]

8 minutes ago, Upside Down said:

They need to communicate this to the membership. We've been asking this question for literally years.

As a member, my opinion is that the only interaction we should be having with the owners is assisting with the transition to a new ownership (chucking their shit out of Ewood and Brockhall).

I completely understand. I genuinely do. I have wanted to communicate more with members. It’s not been easy believe me. I will not be stopping in terms of trying to get the message out there. I’m going to speak to Glen & see if I can help in anyway too. 

 

[Gav]

3 hours ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

You ask the question...are they fit for purpose,are they relevant anymore?

Of course they are, now is not the time to attack each other, now is the time to unite and hit these abhorrent owners and the acolytes they employ.

[Upside Down]

6 minutes ago, Gav said:

Of course they are, now is not the time to attack each other, now is the time to unite and hit these abhorrent owners and the acolytes they employ.

Yep I'm in no way attacking the Trust here, just seeking clarity and asking the question;

Are they pulling in the same direction as the rest of us?

If not, why not?

We've been talking about what their stance is for years now, this shouldn't be a hard thing to communicate.

As a paying member, I feel absolutely zero engagement from them.

This should be taken as what it is - constructive feedback.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

18 minutes ago, Gav said:

Of course they are, now is not the time to attack each other, now is the time to unite and hit these abhorrent owners and the acolytes they employ.

Im attacking none just asking the question,we do indeed need everyone United behind this cause.

Edited March 28 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[mhead]

You all ask these questions. As the ex-Chair of the Trust for 5 years, I ask about Comms, decisions ,changing approach, membership numbers, how often meeting and why WATR is not coming to the same conclusions as the 'engaged' supporters who attend and see the 'un-managed' decline. Without hope there is little point of supporting our Club....but in its 150th Season; 30 years since the PL title it is just plain vandalism.

SURELY WE CAN UNITE BEHIND THE NEED FOR CHANGE?

I will retain my membership of WATR and re-new my Season Ticket because they will never stop my love for the Club

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, Gav said:

Of course they are, now is not the time to attack each other, now is the time to unite and hit these abhorrent owners and the acolytes they employ.

The problem the Trust or WATR have is that they have to try and keep a foot in the door with the Club because I imagine their ultimate aim is a seat or two on the Board regardless of who the owners are. Much harder to ever achieve that if you're shoved out of the picture altogether.

For that reason I dont feel they haven't represented my views for quite some time now. in my view these are fairly unprecedented times requiring out of the ordinary responses.

I'm reminded of the time Waggott tried to sneak through the sale of the training ground on the sly. The silence from the Trust was deafening.

[Upside Down]

56 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

The problem the Trust or WATR have is that they have to try and keep a foot in the door with the Club because I imagine their ultimate aim is a seat or two on the Board regardless of who the owners are. Much harder to ever achieve that if you're shoved out of the picture altogether.

For that reason I dont feel they haven't represented my views for quite some time now. in my view these are fairly unprecedented times requiring out of the ordinary responses.

I'm reminded of the time Waggott tried to sneak through the sale of the training ground on the sly. The silence from the Trust was deafening.

At this point in time they're best to join the rest of the fan groups in action against the owners and board.

There is only one way we are going to see Blackburn Rovers return to it's former glories and that is the removal of venkys.

Asking politely for them to sell is not enough in my opinion. It needs to be demanded, with consequences for those demands not being met.

Get with the programme.

[glen9mullan]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

The problem the Trust or WATR have is that they have to try and keep a foot in the door with the Club because I imagine their ultimate aim is a seat or two on the Board regardless of who the owners are. Much harder to ever achieve that if you're shoved out of the picture altogether.

For that reason I dont feel they haven't represented my views for quite some time now. in my view these are fairly unprecedented times requiring out of the ordinary responses.

I'm reminded of the time Waggott tried to sneak through the sale of the training ground on the sly. The silence from the Trust was deafening.

The club never once turned off communication with me or the action group , quite the opposite; they were begging for meetings 

This myth that "they won't talk if we don't be nice" needs to be extinguished.

Being professional and being clear in representation whilst stating clearly the consequences has and will always be the way to get a tune. 

The last time I spoke to Waggott, I was clear, his next communication would be via a press release. 3 months later I honoured by pledge. 

We can't play tippy happy with the fear of losing what some perceive as a perk.

The greatest honour as a representative is the trust those bestow on you to be their voice , their safe pair of hands and their man in the field 

Your own opinion ceases to exist as you are there to carry out the members wishes.

The club are now feeling the small tremor sent today. We are just getting warmed up, and already they are penning responses (totally unheard of in their tenure) because they are rocking 

The last trust statement was good, but gained no response 

To get what you seek, new ownership, you need things that impact 

Me as a person, and I can only speak for me. I will back anyone who is democratically elected by the supporter base. I want to see what they are going to do for me and my club, and an opportunity to vote for them.

We've a lot of groups, too many in my opinion. 

 

[Upside Down]

Ideally, all the different groups would be united under the WATR umbrella and we all move as one.

There's a lack of transparency with The Trust and a disconnect with the membership. This needs addressing immediately.

[glen9mullan]

6 hours ago, TheRoversGRL said:

I completely understand. I genuinely do. I have wanted to communicate more with members. It’s not been easy believe me. I will not be stopping in terms of trying to get the message out there. I’m going to speak to Glen & see if I can help in anyway too. 

 

Welcome aboard, been great getting to know you this evening.  

[glen9mullan]

2 hours ago, Upside Down said:

Ideally, all the different groups would be united under the WATR umbrella and we all move as one.

There's a lack of transparency with The Trust and a disconnect with the membership. This needs addressing immediately.

Working in Unity is crucial.

The trust no longer represent my views, which is tough to say as someone who helped Wayne get it off the ground, as one of the first members and a former secretary.

So the likelihood of people joining under this one banner is extremely unlikely.

I'd hoped they would of joined the supporters cause as others had prior to yesterdays release. Since the release  more groups have joined the coalition including Proud Rovers and we won't be far off a full suite as support grows.

The bargaining chips with the club  become less when you flat refuse to work with other supporters and groups, without even knowing or taking the opportunity to influence the direction.

Right now if the club stated it was raining tomorrow I'd be wearing my sunglasses.

The continued lip service to keep them in the board room longer is tiresome.

The club requires a strong senior leadership team, and cannot prosper under either these owners or it's current exec team.

[wilsdenrover]

2 hours ago, glen9mullan said:

Working in Unity is crucial.

The trust no longer represent my views, which is tough to say as someone who helped Wayne get it off the ground, as one of the first members and a former secretary.

So the likelihood of people joining under this one banner is extremely unlikely.

I'd hoped they would of joined the supporters cause as others had prior to yesterdays release. Since the release  more groups have joined the coalition including Proud Rovers and we won't be far off a full suite as support grows.

The bargaining chips with the club  become less when you flat refuse to work with other supporters and groups, without even knowing or taking the opportunity to influence the direction.

Right now if the club stated it was raining tomorrow I'd be wearing my sunglasses.

The continued lip service to keep them in the board room longer is tiresome.

The club requires a strong senior leadership team, and cannot prosper under either these owners or it's current exec team.

Have you a ‘tactic’ for if Waggott and Pasha are removed but the owners remain? 

[glen9mullan]

2 hours ago, wilsdenrover said:

Have you a ‘tactic’ for if Waggott and Pasha are removed but the owners remain? 

Its a coalition of fans including you,  collectively we need to work together to find the right solution 

[lraC]

48 minutes ago, glen9mullan said:

Its a coalition of fans including you,  collectively we need to work together to find the right solution 

It’s hard to believe that question was asked. 
The skill set within the fan base in incredible and there are plenty, who would do a far better job than Waggott and they have Blue and White blood. 

[Andy]

10 hours ago, lraC said:

It’s hard to believe that question was asked. 
The skill set within the fan base in incredible and there are plenty, who would do a far better job than Waggott and they have Blue and White blood. 

Just on this forum alone we have many experienced professionals who could step into either of their roles tomorrow and genuinely do a better job.