Jon Dahl Tomasson - Officially No Longer Our Head Coach

[Gav]

Clubs in the Championship don’t get promoted unless they have significant funds for transfers or wages.

We can be optimistic, but the facts still remain the facts…..

Edited June 19, 2022 by Gav

[J*B]

2 hours ago, darrenrover said:

An easy example - you say we “lost our top two candidates”;

You’re incorrect, we didn’t.

The plan was always to carry out and screen initial applicants for First Team Coach, in addition to considering those fancied that may still have been contracted to clubs.

The plan was always to appoint a DOF and that they would then be part and instrumental in the final selection process of First Team Coach and backroom staff.

They are all in situ before pre-season starts in earnest, why is there a problem? (Rhetorical because for once, at long last, they’ve actually got it right! (iMO)

 

Happy to take this at face value - but I must say, if I employed someone who spent 4 weeks screening and interviewing managers that KNEW ultimately someone else would be making the decision I’d sack them for misuse of their own time! Four weeks of interviews and meetings, I assume expenses alongside it, only to say “here’s what we’ve done but you do whatever you want”?! Incredible!

[glen9mullan]

37 minutes ago, 1864roverite said:

Questionable?

we won’t replace Mowbray with anyone above the likes of a Grayson level!

we won’t have a budget!

we won’t sell 2k season tickets !

we will promote Venus into head coach!

we will not have a decent pitch to play on !

there will be no investment !

we won’t have a sports science department 

venkys are not bothered and have pulled the financial clout ! They have turned the taps off!

 

This list is not exhaustive but is reflected by commentators on this forum, just go back and have a read and you will see them. There are more like, Benson is shite, Lowe is useless (I agree on this point I may add), Waggot is a clown and doesn't know his arse from his elbow, Pasha is a no mark venkys puppet and so on.

There is a constant air of negativity from so called "hardenend" Rovers supporters, especially on this forum.

Don't get me wrong, the last 12 years have shown incompetence on a grand scale, money frittered away, money going missing, agents at work screwing the club, players stealing a wage aka living, astronomical wages, poor leadership and shocking managerial decisions added to gross incompetence off the park.

Yes there has been a total shit show by the owners of our club which has rightly brought angst, anger, despair, more anger and even rage, it has forced fans away from the club and yet, they remain at the helm, funding the club, holding their debt, paying the wages, sustaining the club through a pandemic and please don't quote other clubs have done the same, just ask Derby fans how they feel about their own club and its current status.

You are wrong to assume Steve Waggot is my friend, so very wrong it is surprising the comment came from you as your posts often come across as being those of a smart person. You don't know me, neither me you, but I am sure we have shared and probably still do, strong feelings about BRFC.

To think that I hang on every word SW says to me is a little disrespectful. I am not one of those who simply listens to his utterings and go away thinking the world is ok in the world of BRFC. I am a little bit more intelligent than perhaps you give me credit for.

Let me enlighten you a little. Before I ventured to Ewood to see him last year, we had exchanged a large number of emails where I had outlined my own concerns and views on BRFC. I was armed with all sorts of research, I spoke with many, some from this forum, exchanged emails, read various accounts, weeded the wheat from the chaff in respect of what was right and what was utter shite, what was the truth rather than speculation, researched SW himself, spoke to Coventry and Charlton fans about him, I listened to his talks on LinkedIn and I spoke to people who have worked with him over 25 years to gauge what kind of person he was going to be when I conversed with him. I must add, that as an experienced investigator and interviewer, I was pretty much armed with everything that I needed.

Before the Cardiff game last season he gave me 3 hours of his time pre match, which in itself showed he actually cared about taking time out to speak to a supporter face to face, man to man before a home game and in which he put me first rather than the Cardiff executives. I know he had taken in various fans forums as well as meeting with other supporters. And this is the best bit, I had actually spoken to some who had attended such meetings just to see if the message was going to be tittle tattle, similar or with or without any foundation - in other words it was to seek out the bullshit.

My first meeting was very well received, I didn't just meet him, I met with other figures at the club.  I learned a lot about him during that meeting and I will say that he was open, brutally honest, told me things perhaps he shouldn't have (and to this date have remained confidential) and told me about the future changes he was beginning to oversee at the club as it began to recover from the covid pandemic. I was shown in black and white, a blue print for the future, how he saw the club in the future and not just for 2023/24 but beyond, the plans by the owners, the plans around Ewood and the future of the Academy. We talked about many things from St sales, the home crowd, the Ewood experience, the community links, commercialism, food and drink inside the ground, the supporters club, communication, The Blues Bar and many other things. Armed with all of my research, I was happy with everything that he said and told me. I didn't suspect nothing apart from a willingness to make BRFC a better experience to to try and right the wrongs of what has gone before.

My next meeting was even better in some respects. I managed to speak to two players, the groundsman, other staff at the ground and two very well respected ex-players who were there before I met with those inside Ewood. Again, armed with everything that I needed added to what we had spoken to before, SW spoke with added enthusiasm about future plans. I saw for my own eyes the developments in the behind the scenes work, I was fully updated with what was happening with recruiting staff in particular the process of finding the new manager. I was given an insight as to how it would be approached and so it proved in the appointments we have seen across the backroom staff.

I might add that I shared my findings with a select few before even mentioning what I had done for two reasons, to see if there was anything to corroborate what I had been told as being factually incorrect and then also to establish just how much, if there was, bullshit had been spouted with a view to placating a concerned fan. Some of those exchanges will forever remain in confidence because I do not want to expose the link that I have to all things at the club!

So, back to your opening gambit. Yes I do think there are times when the club needs defending but let me also say, there are times when the club needs to brought to account and when that is the case, rest assure, I am more than happy to let the club know my feelings which will be consummate with other supporters who have the same concerns.

You can say all the negative things you want about Steve Waggot as he is the CEO. He knows he has to broach and improve communications at the club, he knows he has to engage the home supporters and he damn well knows that he has to seek the balance as regards match ticket/season ticket prices. He is fully aware Ewood needs more than just a lick of paint and he knows more than ever the home fans need an Ewood experience to be proud of. These are all things that we have spoken about and not just him.

Rovers were actually caught by surprise with Mowbray's outburst when he announced his intention of not seeking to speak to the club, they were even further disappointed with comments that were attributed to him in another media publication hence why he found himself on gardening leave and out of pocket! It was at that point, Rovers set about the process of a change of direction for on field activities and now it is all sorted. They knew they were losing three backroom staff and they knew they had to replace and reinvigorate the scouting team set up to go alongside the new model.

He knows there are major issues with fans wanting cheaper tickets and I agree, I am one of them but at the same time there has to be a bit of a reality check on finances when money only goes so far and priorities have to be put in place.

Commercial wise, I would now expect a better service and operation with a new manager in place - it isn't about cut backs as some might claim, it is about progressing the off field activities and making sure the club operates at a better level. Kits are now almost ready for next season and will be released sooner than we have ever seen, the whole aspect of the commercial side is undergoing a full review from the corporate prices, food offers and drinks in corporate facilities and on the concourses. I as well as many others have pointed out that paying £350 for a pie that is as solid as a rock is not value for money especially when you can get two for that price opposite the ground. Charging fans for the Blues Bar entry is so very wrong, the price of a pint is not too bad but could be cheaper if the fans are encouraged to come to the ground, pre match entertainment outside the Blackburn End has shown it will entice supporters to the ground early rather than head to the moorgate where the music puts you off as its too loud for a chat, it is this kind of topic we talked about.

Ticket prices are a must to be targeted and for all sorts of reasons, he understands this and is constantly looking at it although this brief is for the TO manager who has so far failed to listen to fans, I am at a loss why he or the club have failed to responds to the Trust letter with what I consider to have contain some excellent proposals.

I hope that  I have put my POV across as to why I defend the club as I do!

 

Your best post for a long time, it couldnt be more transparent. Hats of to you.

I think if you had posted this 12 months ago, you would of saved yourself a lot of grief. 

Also hats off to those at Ewood for taking the time, to give you a greater insight.

[Oldgregg86]

Still see a lot of what he wants to do and yet still hasn’t , wants to engage with the fans , hasn’t. Wants to find ways of reducing tickets prices, hasn’t etc etc. I admire your efforts but that post screams someone who has had lip service 

[darrenrover]

24 minutes ago, J*B said:

Happy to take this at face value - but I must say, if I employed someone who spent 4 weeks screening and interviewing managers that KNEW ultimately someone else would be making the decision I’d sack them for misuse of their own time! Four weeks of interviews and meetings, I assume expenses alongside it, only to say “here’s what we’ve done but you do whatever you want”?! Incredible!

Do you employ high end professionals Josh or have you ever had the responsibility for doing so?

Do you know what the strategy at Rovers was in terms of replacing Mowbray and Venus with the  desired structure that’s now in place prior to all players reporting back for pre-season training and what the business structure and plan for the next 3 years is? 

The DOF was ALWAYS going to be instrumental as part of the process  of drawing up the short list of candidates for First Team Coach and back room staff. The fact that the time taken to properly see that process through didn’t meet with your approval, is frankly irrelevant as I’m sure you’d agree. 
 

Job well done by Rovers IMO, shame you won’t agree but divergent opinions are healthy and what makes the world go round.

A slight grammatical aside, not aimed at you per sé, however, is it ‘could of’ or ‘could have’? (Rhetorical)

[Mike E]

1 hour ago, 1864roverite said:

Questionable?

we won’t replace Mowbray with anyone above the likes of a Grayson level!

we won’t have a budget!

we won’t sell 2k season tickets !

we will promote Venus into head coach!

we will not have a decent pitch to play on !

there will be no investment !

we won’t have a sports science department 

venkys are not bothered and have pulled the financial clout ! They have turned the taps off!

 

This list is not exhaustive but is reflected by commentators on this forum, just go back and have a read and you will see them. There are more like, Benson is shite, Lowe is useless (I agree on this point I may add), Waggot is a clown and doesn't know his arse from his elbow, Pasha is a no mark venkys puppet and so on.

There is a constant air of negativity from so called "hardenend" Rovers supporters, especially on this forum.

Don't get me wrong, the last 12 years have shown incompetence on a grand scale, money frittered away, money going missing, agents at work screwing the club, players stealing a wage aka living, astronomical wages, poor leadership and shocking managerial decisions added to gross incompetence off the park.

Yes there has been a total shit show by the owners of our club which has rightly brought angst, anger, despair, more anger and even rage, it has forced fans away from the club and yet, they remain at the helm, funding the club, holding their debt, paying the wages, sustaining the club through a pandemic and please don't quote other clubs have done the same, just ask Derby fans how they feel about their own club and its current status.

You are wrong to assume Steve Waggot is my friend, so very wrong it is surprising the comment came from you as your posts often come across as being those of a smart person. You don't know me, neither me you, but I am sure we have shared and probably still do, strong feelings about BRFC.

To think that I hang on every word SW says to me is a little disrespectful. I am not one of those who simply listens to his utterings and go away thinking the world is ok in the world of BRFC. I am a little bit more intelligent than perhaps you give me credit for.

Let me enlighten you a little. Before I ventured to Ewood to see him last year, we had exchanged a large number of emails where I had outlined my own concerns and views on BRFC. I was armed with all sorts of research, I spoke with many, some from this forum, exchanged emails, read various accounts, weeded the wheat from the chaff in respect of what was right and what was utter shite, what was the truth rather than speculation, researched SW himself, spoke to Coventry and Charlton fans about him, I listened to his talks on LinkedIn and I spoke to people who have worked with him over 25 years to gauge what kind of person he was going to be when I conversed with him. I must add, that as an experienced investigator and interviewer, I was pretty much armed with everything that I needed.

Before the Cardiff game last season he gave me 3 hours of his time pre match, which in itself showed he actually cared about taking time out to speak to a supporter face to face, man to man before a home game and in which he put me first rather than the Cardiff executives. I know he had taken in various fans forums as well as meeting with other supporters. And this is the best bit, I had actually spoken to some who had attended such meetings just to see if the message was going to be tittle tattle, similar or with or without any foundation - in other words it was to seek out the bullshit.

My first meeting was very well received, I didn't just meet him, I met with other figures at the club.  I learned a lot about him during that meeting and I will say that he was open, brutally honest, told me things perhaps he shouldn't have (and to this date have remained confidential) and told me about the future changes he was beginning to oversee at the club as it began to recover from the covid pandemic. I was shown in black and white, a blue print for the future, how he saw the club in the future and not just for 2023/24 but beyond, the plans by the owners, the plans around Ewood and the future of the Academy. We talked about many things from St sales, the home crowd, the Ewood experience, the community links, commercialism, food and drink inside the ground, the supporters club, communication, The Blues Bar and many other things. Armed with all of my research, I was happy with everything that he said and told me. I didn't suspect nothing apart from a willingness to make BRFC a better experience to to try and right the wrongs of what has gone before.

My next meeting was even better in some respects. I managed to speak to two players, the groundsman, other staff at the ground and two very well respected ex-players who were there before I met with those inside Ewood. Again, armed with everything that I needed added to what we had spoken to before, SW spoke with added enthusiasm about future plans. I saw for my own eyes the developments in the behind the scenes work, I was fully updated with what was happening with recruiting staff in particular the process of finding the new manager. I was given an insight as to how it would be approached and so it proved in the appointments we have seen across the backroom staff.

I might add that I shared my findings with a select few before even mentioning what I had done for two reasons, to see if there was anything to corroborate what I had been told as being factually incorrect and then also to establish just how much, if there was, bullshit had been spouted with a view to placating a concerned fan. Some of those exchanges will forever remain in confidence because I do not want to expose the link that I have to all things at the club!

So, back to your opening gambit. Yes I do think there are times when the club needs defending but let me also say, there are times when the club needs to brought to account and when that is the case, rest assure, I am more than happy to let the club know my feelings which will be consummate with other supporters who have the same concerns.

You can say all the negative things you want about Steve Waggot as he is the CEO. He knows he has to broach and improve communications at the club, he knows he has to engage the home supporters and he damn well knows that he has to seek the balance as regards match ticket/season ticket prices. He is fully aware Ewood needs more than just a lick of paint and he knows more than ever the home fans need an Ewood experience to be proud of. These are all things that we have spoken about and not just him.

Rovers were actually caught by surprise with Mowbray's outburst when he announced his intention of not seeking to speak to the club, they were even further disappointed with comments that were attributed to him in another media publication hence why he found himself on gardening leave and out of pocket! It was at that point, Rovers set about the process of a change of direction for on field activities and now it is all sorted. They knew they were losing three backroom staff and they knew they had to replace and reinvigorate the scouting team set up to go alongside the new model.

He knows there are major issues with fans wanting cheaper tickets and I agree, I am one of them but at the same time there has to be a bit of a reality check on finances when money only goes so far and priorities have to be put in place.

Commercial wise, I would now expect a better service and operation with a new manager in place - it isn't about cut backs as some might claim, it is about progressing the off field activities and making sure the club operates at a better level. Kits are now almost ready for next season and will be released sooner than we have ever seen, the whole aspect of the commercial side is undergoing a full review from the corporate prices, food offers and drinks in corporate facilities and on the concourses. I as well as many others have pointed out that paying £350 for a pie that is as solid as a rock is not value for money especially when you can get two for that price opposite the ground. Charging fans for the Blues Bar entry is so very wrong, the price of a pint is not too bad but could be cheaper if the fans are encouraged to come to the ground, pre match entertainment outside the Blackburn End has shown it will entice supporters to the ground early rather than head to the moorgate where the music puts you off as its too loud for a chat, it is this kind of topic we talked about.

Ticket prices are a must to be targeted and for all sorts of reasons, he understands this and is constantly looking at it although this brief is for the TO manager who has so far failed to listen to fans, I am at a loss why he or the club have failed to responds to the Trust letter with what I consider to have contain some excellent proposals.

I hope that  I have put my POV across as to why I defend the club as I do!

 

Have to echo Glen, I wouldn't have given even a smidge of the grief I have if you'd been this open before (albeit I realise it may be because of circumstances)

[J*B]

5 minutes ago, darrenrover said:

Do you employ high end professionals Josh or have you ever had the responsibility for doing so?

Do you know what the strategy at Rovers was in terms of replacing Mowbray and Venus with the  desired structure that’s now in place prior to all players reporting back for pre-season training and what the business structure and plan for the next 3 years is? 

The DOF was ALWAYS going to be instrumental as part of the process  of drawing up the short list of candidates for First Team Coach and back room staff. The fact that the time taken to properly see that process through didn’t meet with your approval, is frankly irrelevant as I’m sure you’d agree. 
 

Job well done by Rovers IMO, shame you won’t agree but divergent opinions are healthy and what makes the world go round.

A slight grammatical aside, not aimed at you per sé, however, is it ‘could of’ or ‘could have’? (Rhetorical)

Yes I employee the highest quality people in their respective fields weekly and work with elite talent. 

I’ve no idea what the strategy is - that’s part of the issue, it isn’t clear to the fans. Although GB seems to at least have one now. 

I think you’re confusing my questioning of the the process with the end result. I think GB has appointed a very credible and inspiring manager that gives us something to look toward. I question why Waggott was involved in any capacity if the ultimate decision was going to fall to GB. It feels as if we may have wasted a lot of time. 

It’s could have, I believe. 

[darrenrover]

11 minutes ago, J*B said:

Yes I employee the highest quality people in their respective fields weekly and work with elite talent. 

I’ve no idea what the strategy is - that’s part of the issue, it isn’t clear to the fans. Although GB seems to at least have one now. 

I think you’re confusing my questioning of the the process with the end result. I think GB has appointed a very credible and inspiring manager that gives us something to look toward. I question why Waggott was involved in any capacity if the ultimate decision was going to fall to GB. It feels as if we may have wasted a lot of time. 

It’s could have, I believe. 

I agree totally that club communication to fans leaves much to be desired.

If it is hoped, as JDT has eluded to, that every stakeholder has a role to play in achieving the clubs hopes and aspirations, then the vision should be transparent and open to all.

We’ll have to agree to disagree regarding the past 4/5 weeks selection process: I think at last, the club did a great job and in the right way, you think differently which is your prerogative.

COYB!!

[harryhealless1928]

Have to echo broadswords comment about what a relief it is not to have Mowbray in the dugout. Also what a relief it is that we have NOT appointed one of the old stalwart managers that come across as welded irrevocably to the twentieth(maybe nineteenth )century!! Talk about milking it for all its worth .Hee! Hee!

TBF I think JDT has his work cut out getting a competitive squad put together ,but at least most of the players are very young and will be ambitious(? we hope)hence receptive to new ideas.  

[Gav]

5 minutes ago, darrenrover said:

We’ll have to agree to disagree regarding the past 4/5 weeks selection process: I think at last, the club did a great job and in the right way, you think differently which is your prerogative.

COYB!!

Do you believe they got the best man possible for the job? 

[1864roverite]

59 minutes ago, Oldgregg86 said:

Still see a lot of what he wants to do and yet still hasn’t , wants to engage with the fans , hasn’t. Wants to find ways of reducing tickets prices, hasn’t etc etc. I admire your efforts but that post screams someone who has had lip service 

Utter bollocks

[Oldgregg86]

1 minute ago, 1864roverite said:

Utter bollocks

You’ve named all the things he’s said and non of it has happened. I’d argue everything he told you was equally as bollocks

[1864roverite]

I would reread it, do some proper research then review it all instead of relying on speculation! oh yes, you might want to go down to Ewood, make an appointment and see for yourself.

[Mattyblue]

I’m seeing changes on the football side, but of course we haven’t signed anybody, we haven’t played a game against anybody, so I’m not getting carried away, but it’s certainly promising.

However on the commercial side it sounds like SW is saying all the right things, however another season is upon us and yet we are still seeing the same mistakes. So he is either a very slow learner, doesn’t have the authority to make the changes he wants or he is just fobbing folk off and will carry on running the non playing parts of the club as he has since he arrived - short term profit and loss over strategic and long term growth.

Fair play to anybody trying to keep communication channels open, but unfortunately, commercially, I see little improvement (and sadly that isn’t ‘bollocks’) so will continue to bang this drum until I do, as it is vitally important for the future wellbeing of this fantastic club we all hold dear.

[RV Blue]

1 hour ago, 1864roverite said:

Questionable?

we won’t replace Mowbray with anyone above the likes of a Grayson level!

we won’t have a budget!

we won’t sell 2k season tickets !

we will promote Venus into head coach!

we will not have a decent pitch to play on !

there will be no investment !

we won’t have a sports science department 

venkys are not bothered and have pulled the financial clout ! They have turned the taps off!

 

This list is not exhaustive but is reflected by commentators on this forum, just go back and have a read and you will see them. There are more like, Benson is shite, Lowe is useless (I agree on this point I may add), Waggot is a clown and doesn't know his arse from his elbow, Pasha is a no mark venkys puppet and so on.

There is a constant air of negativity from so called "hardenend" Rovers supporters, especially on this forum.

Don't get me wrong, the last 12 years have shown incompetence on a grand scale, money frittered away, money going missing, agents at work screwing the club, players stealing a wage aka living, astronomical wages, poor leadership and shocking managerial decisions added to gross incompetence off the park.

Yes there has been a total shit show by the owners of our club which has rightly brought angst, anger, despair, more anger and even rage, it has forced fans away from the club and yet, they remain at the helm, funding the club, holding their debt, paying the wages, sustaining the club through a pandemic and please don't quote other clubs have done the same, just ask Derby fans how they feel about their own club and its current status.

You are wrong to assume Steve Waggot is my friend, so very wrong it is surprising the comment came from you as your posts often come across as being those of a smart person. You don't know me, neither me you, but I am sure we have shared and probably still do, strong feelings about BRFC.

To think that I hang on every word SW says to me is a little disrespectful. I am not one of those who simply listens to his utterings and go away thinking the world is ok in the world of BRFC. I am a little bit more intelligent than perhaps you give me credit for.

Let me enlighten you a little. Before I ventured to Ewood to see him last year, we had exchanged a large number of emails where I had outlined my own concerns and views on BRFC. I was armed with all sorts of research, I spoke with many, some from this forum, exchanged emails, read various accounts, weeded the wheat from the chaff in respect of what was right and what was utter shite, what was the truth rather than speculation, researched SW himself, spoke to Coventry and Charlton fans about him, I listened to his talks on LinkedIn and I spoke to people who have worked with him over 25 years to gauge what kind of person he was going to be when I conversed with him. I must add, that as an experienced investigator and interviewer, I was pretty much armed with everything that I needed.

Before the Cardiff game last season he gave me 3 hours of his time pre match, which in itself showed he actually cared about taking time out to speak to a supporter face to face, man to man before a home game and in which he put me first rather than the Cardiff executives. I know he had taken in various fans forums as well as meeting with other supporters. And this is the best bit, I had actually spoken to some who had attended such meetings just to see if the message was going to be tittle tattle, similar or with or without any foundation - in other words it was to seek out the bullshit.

My first meeting was very well received, I didn't just meet him, I met with other figures at the club.  I learned a lot about him during that meeting and I will say that he was open, brutally honest, told me things perhaps he shouldn't have (and to this date have remained confidential) and told me about the future changes he was beginning to oversee at the club as it began to recover from the covid pandemic. I was shown in black and white, a blue print for the future, how he saw the club in the future and not just for 2023/24 but beyond, the plans by the owners, the plans around Ewood and the future of the Academy. We talked about many things from St sales, the home crowd, the Ewood experience, the community links, commercialism, food and drink inside the ground, the supporters club, communication, The Blues Bar and many other things. Armed with all of my research, I was happy with everything that he said and told me. I didn't suspect nothing apart from a willingness to make BRFC a better experience to to try and right the wrongs of what has gone before.

My next meeting was even better in some respects. I managed to speak to two players, the groundsman, other staff at the ground and two very well respected ex-players who were there before I met with those inside Ewood. Again, armed with everything that I needed added to what we had spoken to before, SW spoke with added enthusiasm about future plans. I saw for my own eyes the developments in the behind the scenes work, I was fully updated with what was happening with recruiting staff in particular the process of finding the new manager. I was given an insight as to how it would be approached and so it proved in the appointments we have seen across the backroom staff.

I might add that I shared my findings with a select few before even mentioning what I had done for two reasons, to see if there was anything to corroborate what I had been told as being factually incorrect and then also to establish just how much, if there was, bullshit had been spouted with a view to placating a concerned fan. Some of those exchanges will forever remain in confidence because I do not want to expose the link that I have to all things at the club!

So, back to your opening gambit. Yes I do think there are times when the club needs defending but let me also say, there are times when the club needs to brought to account and when that is the case, rest assure, I am more than happy to let the club know my feelings which will be consummate with other supporters who have the same concerns.

You can say all the negative things you want about Steve Waggot as he is the CEO. He knows he has to broach and improve communications at the club, he knows he has to engage the home supporters and he damn well knows that he has to seek the balance as regards match ticket/season ticket prices. He is fully aware Ewood needs more than just a lick of paint and he knows more than ever the home fans need an Ewood experience to be proud of. These are all things that we have spoken about and not just him.

Rovers were actually caught by surprise with Mowbray's outburst when he announced his intention of not seeking to speak to the club, they were even further disappointed with comments that were attributed to him in another media publication hence why he found himself on gardening leave and out of pocket! It was at that point, Rovers set about the process of a change of direction for on field activities and now it is all sorted. They knew they were losing three backroom staff and they knew they had to replace and reinvigorate the scouting team set up to go alongside the new model.

He knows there are major issues with fans wanting cheaper tickets and I agree, I am one of them but at the same time there has to be a bit of a reality check on finances when money only goes so far and priorities have to be put in place.

Commercial wise, I would now expect a better service and operation with a new manager in place - it isn't about cut backs as some might claim, it is about progressing the off field activities and making sure the club operates at a better level. Kits are now almost ready for next season and will be released sooner than we have ever seen, the whole aspect of the commercial side is undergoing a full review from the corporate prices, food offers and drinks in corporate facilities and on the concourses. I as well as many others have pointed out that paying £350 for a pie that is as solid as a rock is not value for money especially when you can get two for that price opposite the ground. Charging fans for the Blues Bar entry is so very wrong, the price of a pint is not too bad but could be cheaper if the fans are encouraged to come to the ground, pre match entertainment outside the Blackburn End has shown it will entice supporters to the ground early rather than head to the moorgate where the music puts you off as its too loud for a chat, it is this kind of topic we talked about.

Ticket prices are a must to be targeted and for all sorts of reasons, he understands this and is constantly looking at it although this brief is for the TO manager who has so far failed to listen to fans, I am at a loss why he or the club have failed to responds to the Trust letter with what I consider to have contain some excellent proposals.

I hope that  I have put my POV across as to why I defend the club as I do!

 

Strange post, who are you? Why would Waggot give you the time of day?

[Oldgregg86]

5 minutes ago, 1864roverite said:

I would reread it, do some proper research then review it all instead of relying on speculation! oh yes, you might want to go down to Ewood, make an appointment and see for yourself.

The speculation we are all relying on is from you. The facts are he has done nothing of note to improve the club on a commercial side bar give you a brew and a ground tour

[Mhead2]

1 hour ago, 1864roverite said:

Questionable?

we won’t replace Mowbray with anyone above the likes of a Grayson level!

we won’t have a budget!

we won’t sell 2k season tickets !

we will promote Venus into head coach!

we will not have a decent pitch to play on !

there will be no investment !

we won’t have a sports science department 

venkys are not bothered and have pulled the financial clout ! They have turned the taps off!

 

This list is not exhaustive but is reflected by commentators on this forum, just go back and have a read and you will see them. There are more like, Benson is shite, Lowe is useless (I agree on this point I may add), Waggot is a clown and doesn't know his arse from his elbow, Pasha is a no mark venkys puppet and so on.

There is a constant air of negativity from so called "hardenend" Rovers supporters, especially on this forum.

Don't get me wrong, the last 12 years have shown incompetence on a grand scale, money frittered away, money going missing, agents at work screwing the club, players stealing a wage aka living, astronomical wages, poor leadership and shocking managerial decisions added to gross incompetence off the park.

Yes there has been a total shit show by the owners of our club which has rightly brought angst, anger, despair, more anger and even rage, it has forced fans away from the club and yet, they remain at the helm, funding the club, holding their debt, paying the wages, sustaining the club through a pandemic and please don't quote other clubs have done the same, just ask Derby fans how they feel about their own club and its current status.

You are wrong to assume Steve Waggot is my friend, so very wrong it is surprising the comment came from you as your posts often come across as being those of a smart person. You don't know me, neither me you, but I am sure we have shared and probably still do, strong feelings about BRFC.

To think that I hang on every word SW says to me is a little disrespectful. I am not one of those who simply listens to his utterings and go away thinking the world is ok in the world of BRFC. I am a little bit more intelligent than perhaps you give me credit for.

Let me enlighten you a little. Before I ventured to Ewood to see him last year, we had exchanged a large number of emails where I had outlined my own concerns and views on BRFC. I was armed with all sorts of research, I spoke with many, some from this forum, exchanged emails, read various accounts, weeded the wheat from the chaff in respect of what was right and what was utter shite, what was the truth rather than speculation, researched SW himself, spoke to Coventry and Charlton fans about him, I listened to his talks on LinkedIn and I spoke to people who have worked with him over 25 years to gauge what kind of person he was going to be when I conversed with him. I must add, that as an experienced investigator and interviewer, I was pretty much armed with everything that I needed.

Before the Cardiff game last season he gave me 3 hours of his time pre match, which in itself showed he actually cared about taking time out to speak to a supporter face to face, man to man before a home game and in which he put me first rather than the Cardiff executives. I know he had taken in various fans forums as well as meeting with other supporters. And this is the best bit, I had actually spoken to some who had attended such meetings just to see if the message was going to be tittle tattle, similar or with or without any foundation - in other words it was to seek out the bullshit.

My first meeting was very well received, I didn't just meet him, I met with other figures at the club.  I learned a lot about him during that meeting and I will say that he was open, brutally honest, told me things perhaps he shouldn't have (and to this date have remained confidential) and told me about the future changes he was beginning to oversee at the club as it began to recover from the covid pandemic. I was shown in black and white, a blue print for the future, how he saw the club in the future and not just for 2023/24 but beyond, the plans by the owners, the plans around Ewood and the future of the Academy. We talked about many things from St sales, the home crowd, the Ewood experience, the community links, commercialism, food and drink inside the ground, the supporters club, communication, The Blues Bar and many other things. Armed with all of my research, I was happy with everything that he said and told me. I didn't suspect nothing apart from a willingness to make BRFC a better experience to to try and right the wrongs of what has gone before.

My next meeting was even better in some respects. I managed to speak to two players, the groundsman, other staff at the ground and two very well respected ex-players who were there before I met with those inside Ewood. Again, armed with everything that I needed added to what we had spoken to before, SW spoke with added enthusiasm about future plans. I saw for my own eyes the developments in the behind the scenes work, I was fully updated with what was happening with recruiting staff in particular the process of finding the new manager. I was given an insight as to how it would be approached and so it proved in the appointments we have seen across the backroom staff.

I might add that I shared my findings with a select few before even mentioning what I had done for two reasons, to see if there was anything to corroborate what I had been told as being factually incorrect and then also to establish just how much, if there was, bullshit had been spouted with a view to placating a concerned fan. Some of those exchanges will forever remain in confidence because I do not want to expose the link that I have to all things at the club!

So, back to your opening gambit. Yes I do think there are times when the club needs defending but let me also say, there are times when the club needs to brought to account and when that is the case, rest assure, I am more than happy to let the club know my feelings which will be consummate with other supporters who have the same concerns.

You can say all the negative things you want about Steve Waggot as he is the CEO. He knows he has to broach and improve communications at the club, he knows he has to engage the home supporters and he damn well knows that he has to seek the balance as regards match ticket/season ticket prices. He is fully aware Ewood needs more than just a lick of paint and he knows more than ever the home fans need an Ewood experience to be proud of. These are all things that we have spoken about and not just him.

Rovers were actually caught by surprise with Mowbray's outburst when he announced his intention of not seeking to speak to the club, they were even further disappointed with comments that were attributed to him in another media publication hence why he found himself on gardening leave and out of pocket! It was at that point, Rovers set about the process of a change of direction for on field activities and now it is all sorted. They knew they were losing three backroom staff and they knew they had to replace and reinvigorate the scouting team set up to go alongside the new model.

He knows there are major issues with fans wanting cheaper tickets and I agree, I am one of them but at the same time there has to be a bit of a reality check on finances when money only goes so far and priorities have to be put in place.

Commercial wise, I would now expect a better service and operation with a new manager in place - it isn't about cut backs as some might claim, it is about progressing the off field activities and making sure the club operates at a better level. Kits are now almost ready for next season and will be released sooner than we have ever seen, the whole aspect of the commercial side is undergoing a full review from the corporate prices, food offers and drinks in corporate facilities and on the concourses. I as well as many others have pointed out that paying £350 for a pie that is as solid as a rock is not value for money especially when you can get two for that price opposite the ground. Charging fans for the Blues Bar entry is so very wrong, the price of a pint is not too bad but could be cheaper if the fans are encouraged to come to the ground, pre match entertainment outside the Blackburn End has shown it will entice supporters to the ground early rather than head to the moorgate where the music puts you off as its too loud for a chat, it is this kind of topic we talked about.

Ticket prices are a must to be targeted and for all sorts of reasons, he understands this and is constantly looking at it although this brief is for the TO manager who has so far failed to listen to fans, I am at a loss why he or the club have failed to responds to the Trust letter with what I consider to have contain some excellent proposals.

I hope that  I have put my POV across as to why I defend the club as I do!

 

Whilst  the above excellent post is in the wrong thread, as Chair of the Trust, I have also met with Steve W. on many occasions and usually for a long Dinner(where I insist on paying 50% of the time). I usually have a list of issues that I write down and make sure I cover in conversation. Two Christmasses ago I gave him a Christmas present: Mike Jackman's excellent The Essential History of Blackburn Rovers. For a specific reason of course, because one of a number of issues I do not sympathise with him is the lack of any awareness within BRFC of East Lancashire's economy, environment and (most of all) mentality. With the exception of Lynsey Talbot I must add. 3 years ago I did a presentation to the Marketing team(plus 2 Senior staff) and this fell largely on stony ground. The departure of Greg Coar may help, but its slow,slow progress. The Trust "Marketing Prospectus" will be reviewed again and then despatched to Club again in September, specifically for the new Marketing Manager.

BUT through all this I have and still regard SW as a friend and under the old system he was at Brockhall far more than at Ewood.....I hope this will change from now.

And the 3 things I said to him I could NEVER agree with him were:

-Pricing structure and levels

-the lack of awareness of the state of the Riverside and its place for fans of the Club

- and marketing of the Club(especially after £10 matches) and  across Lancashire, not just around Blackburn with Darwen

He will eventually retire but Rovers Supporters never retire! And its very much OUR Club.

Really welcome JDT and ,especially, Gregg Broughton. 

More on the future Trust tactics and projects this Wednesday 22nd from 7.30pm....all welcome to Billington Band Club.

[chaddyrovers]

12 minutes ago, Mhead2 said:

BUT through all this I have and still regard SW as a friend and under the old system he was at Brockhall far more than at Ewood.....I hope this will change from now

Why was he at Brockhall more than Ewood Park? 

[darrenrover]

41 minutes ago, Gav said:

Do you believe they got the best man possible for the job? 

Arguably having listened to him yes.

His persona and rhetoric has certainly left me feeling both excited and optimistic Gav…something stirring in the loins that I’ve not felt since Sparky was appointed!

it’s only rhetoric for now but at least he talks the language that we can all believe and relate to. I live in hope mate!

[glen9mullan]

1 hour ago, darrenrover said:

Do you employ high end professionals Josh or have you ever had the responsibility for doing so?

Do you know what the strategy at Rovers was in terms of replacing Mowbray and Venus with the  desired structure that’s now in place prior to all players reporting back for pre-season training and what the business structure and plan for the next 3 years is? 

The DOF was ALWAYS going to be instrumental as part of the process  of drawing up the short list of candidates for First Team Coach and back room staff. The fact that the time taken to properly see that process through didn’t meet with your approval, is frankly irrelevant as I’m sure you’d agree. 
 

Job well done by Rovers IMO, shame you won’t agree but divergent opinions are healthy and what makes the world go round.

A slight grammatical aside, not aimed at you per sé, however, is it ‘could of’ or ‘could have’? (Rhetorical)

This is wrong 

The model of DOF and Manager is universally accepted, it was pointed out at day 1 once Mowbray's departure was confirmed.

Dont forget rovers appointed Park around 6 or 7 months ago, this was to be long term not short term, his role very much player recruitment.

The DOF was never going to have input in the managerial appointment. This has been widely reported throughout.

SW made a complete hash of the search.

GB was found after a headhunter was appointed a couple of weeks ago due to concerns that wheels were not moving and a complete lack of confidence from India was very apparent. This is not the first time the Raos own advisors have recommended an interception. 

Broughton was brought to the Raos and spoke directly to them, who sold the vision, not SW. He was asked to get involved by them on the manager search front, as it was failing massively. He came up trumps straight away without any objections from SW and we've appointed now a credible DOF and Manager.

I'm not overly concerned what SW says on the matter and may ask to see him myself this week, armed with the written literature and ask why we made such a balls up of the process.

Employing people in your response to Josh is condescending, and what thats got to do with anything i dont know.

Fyi lots on here are established, astute business men.

I myself have been a director and shareholder at some large companies, including at one of the biggest employers in the area circa 900 employees,  who in turn was one of rovers biggest sponsors.

There is lots of positives in these appointments, and one or two other things 

However how the ship is being run is amateurish at best.

Hearing Greg Coar has also gone (another long term, loyal employee) is another blow.

I'm sure your efforts are well meaning, and if anything you get more grief due to others in your crew constantly sucking everything off on other social media platforms which is doing more damage to your cause than good.

To be clear, everyone wants this latest chapter to be the best in the book, but be under no illussions, there has not been a shift in opinion. Absent supporters remain absent. New supporters will always come, and others walk away. However i have seen zero to get the thousands who walked away back, its more a defeatist attitude of "oh well they are gone, let's try and attract new

....

fans".

 

[chaddyrovers]

4 minutes ago, glen9mullan said:

Dont forget rovers appointed Park around 6 or 7 months ago, this was to be long term not short term, his role very much player recruitment.

Park was appointed last July https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2021/july/Rovers-appoint-new-Head-of-Recruitment/

6 minutes ago, glen9mullan said:

Hearing Greg Coar has also gone (another long term, loyal employee) is another blow.

why is it blow?

[glen9mullan]

2 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Park was appointed last July https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2021/july/Rovers-appoint-new-Head-of-Recruitment/

why is it blow?

Ok 11 months ago if we are being pedantic.

Greg been at the club a long time, and during our darkest days did a hell of a lot of work to hold things together when others were failing. He has worked tiredlessly and hard and has always been loyal to the cause.

You do know we have others in that department who were marching with yellow venkys out t-shirts, attended marches, waved banners in the owners faces? 

A smell of a job  and boom heads turned.

[Mike E]

Sorry but from a marketing perspective, Greg has failed every step of the way. Really basic things too imo.

I'm sorry he's gone for sentimental reasons, but not for business reasons.

Club marketing has needed an overhaul for a LONG time. I'm including Waggott in the scope too.

[glen9mullan]

15 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Sorry but from a marketing perspective, Greg has failed every step of the way. Really basic things too imo.

I'm sorry he's gone for sentimental reasons, but not for business reasons.

Club marketing has needed an overhaul for a LONG time. I'm including Waggott in the scope too.

We can agree to disagree here Mike, everyone has a master, and ultimately the board sign off the marketing teams ideas or poo poo them. During the darkest of days, you'd be shocked how well the marketing team were doing, and that was under Shagnew.

The last 5 years under the latest board,  we have gone backwards. We've brought idiots in, and lost better people.

Across the board, every department, its downgrade upon downgrade.

My office in the same ground, how many times did Danny Davies come in and ask me to sponsor, fund initiatives? Zero!!!!

Yet the community trust asked me to be back up sponsor of the 10k if WEC pulled out, and are always engaging.

When the hierarchy is wrong it will always be to the detriment of the business.

People dont leave bad jobs they leave bad managers.

 

Edited June 19, 2022 by glen9mullan

[RoverDom]

My main question in all this.... am I the only one not having dinner with Waggot?