Venky’s (& Suhail) Out Protest Ideas

[glen9mullan]

To follow up on James post, the coalition is a stronger place by WATR being part of it.

Individual groups have their own mandates, members etc.

I'm co chair of one (WATR) and chair of another the BRFC action group.

Approaches are certainly different and action is voted by the Boards/Committees of either of these groups.

Action Group for example have boycotted the FF and have voted a complete vote of no confidence in the mechanism and wont attend under its current format. The minutes are not true and to be completely honest 85% of the panel remain silent and aint batting for the fans.

Where WATR go with the FF i'm unsure as its not been decided but my own thoughts are that of the AG. If its not democratic, voted in by the fans, then it dont represent us.

WATR have quite a few balls in the air, the website is probmatic and is being addressed (a problem i inherited when joining the board). 

We need to push an update out, as its important we feed things to the members of whats occurring with the EFL, Regulator, Owners, Membership and many other things.

The coalition are desperate for meaningful action and were hit with a police/council bill before the derby game. It called a halt to that protest as we have no money, and i cant personally fund it again.

There was a suggestion WATR should fund/front a movement but that would need unaminous board buy in and a membership vote, this was explained at the time, that i cant just say, yep trust will fund it. (Notably the trust has funded some 135/15 leaflets).

One of the biggest issues as @J*B has correctly pointed out, an individual or individuals need to put their name to things. When its not me, there aint any hands going up from others.

We will be pushing on calling for a full scale boycott, NAPM, it be down to each fan then to decide if they go or dont. 

I wont be drawn into the politics or pissing competition, especially from those who aint the credits in the bank.

I know there is lots in the coalition trying their best, against at times a back drop of ridicule.

Its either we move together or give up

[Mercer]

5 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

You can’t expect Fans who attend every league home game to boycott games. 

Why if you want to rid this club of, IMO, an utterly shite ownership and executive management?

5 hours ago, J*B said:

Well they didn’t like us targeting Suhail and Gestede and banning them from the stadium. So start there. 

Spot on.

Hit the sensitive spots where it hurts.

5 hours ago, lraC said:

It’s been pointed out over that last 24 hours that the real attendance can be obtained from the police, by asking for it under freedom of information.

Just to further embarrass the owners and to put some perspective on the destruction, why don’t the coalition get this after each home game, publish the figure and ask for a reaction from the club, with regards to making a statement about it and what they intend to do to improve it.

A way forward to secure an embarrassment across our ownership, executive management and the football world.  When the wider football world can see official attendances are being grossly exaggerated (perhaps by as much as 50%), it will sting and more than raise eyebrows.

Using social media, starting with the last 6 home games list on a match by match basis the real attendance against the official attendance and add to after every home game.  Has to be done on a rolling basis (ie all matches shown and not a game in isolation) for impact.

4 hours ago, Tomphil2 said:

Get the real bums on seats figures and make sure they find their way to the farmhouse in Pune.

Because they probably aren't so at least we'd know they are aware what's really happening here.

Agreed

4 hours ago, scotchrover said:

IMO, it’s time a boycott was called for the Millwall game.

 

It doesn’t break the law and it’s not offensive, if the protest’s aim is simply to get Venky’s to sell the club. Non-law breaking activities are likely to get people on board too. 
 

We’re on Sky Sports too (as it’s a 12:30 game) so we’ll be already down on fan numbers. We’ll get the publicity too. 

Agree

3 hours ago, AllRoversGirl_ said:

Pasha is Venky's advisor. Target him and make it uncomfortable at matches.  Pasha has been a constant figure since the owners took over. Has started to be targeted heavily in the last 12 months or so. 

I'm just going to be completely blunt with you. It's not down to just 1 supporter group to do something about it. 

Agree

2 hours ago, KidderStreetNoise said:

15 years of this & you still think a win on a Saturday means something, embarrassing

Sadly, it's an issue we face with many of our fans - they are so gullible it's untrue and they simply don't get it.

IMO, there is a lot of hot air and seemingly no action.

It's simple, maximise embarrassment and make Pasha and Gestede squirm  uncomfortably.  Look what happened last season when the 3 stooges were forced into a woeful q & a.  Since then, seems like all pressure gone and feck all happening.

Lastly, IMO, unless you want to end up watching Rovers at Griffin Park or Pleasington, grow some balls and resilience and BOYCOTT EWOOD PARK entirely instead of bellyaching and pontificating on this MB.

Edited 8 hours ago by Mercer

[Paul Mellelieu]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

invading the pitch is criminal offence and one you risk getting a record from, people need a clear record for their jobs, so are you serious suggestion people put their jobs at risk for that sort of action. 

I'm sorry, but I won't.  

You are a mug chaddy.  The club is being destroyed and can't see it.  Not even bling the frog.  Why you come here I don't know.

[KidderStreetNoise]

28 minutes ago, JamieUK said:

WATR has a small number of people in the coalition chat, the same as several other groups, but it’s not accurate to suggest that the trust has been driving decisions or stifling action. No single group has been in control of what the coalition does or doesn’t do.

As I understand, things understandably went quieter after legal threats were made towards one of the main individuals fronting the coalition. Given the seriousness of that situation, it’s only natural that they would take a step back. Unfortunately, rather than others stepping forward to take on that role, a number of people chose to leave instead.

Alongside that, there were concerns around potential policing costs, personal liability and information being leaked from within the group, all of which made people more cautious about being visible or outspoken. There were discussions about doing something around the Derby game, but coming off wins against Southampton, Leicester and Bristol City, there were genuine concerns about turnout and how effective any action would be at that point.

Posts that focus on blaming other supporter groups don’t really help and just play into the clubs hands. If anyone wants to see action happen, the most positive way forward is getting involved and helping to organise it. It’s easy to say more should have been done, but it’s much harder to commit the time and responsibility needed to make something happen.

Wow

[wilsdenrover]

2 minutes ago, Paul Mellelieu said:

You are a mug chaddy.  The club is being destroyed and can't see it.  Not even bling the frog.  Why you come here I don't know.

[KidderStreetNoise]

7 minutes ago, Mercer said:

A way forward to secure an embarrassment across our ownership, executive management and the football world.  When the wider football world can see official attendances are being grossly exaggerated (perhaps by as much as 50%), it will sting and more than raise eyebrows.

A spreadsheet with all this information was sent to media & representatives & to the club to ask if they were concerned, differences as high as 5,222, a 33% difference.

 

Nobody, and I mean nobody cares 

[chaddyrovers]

3 minutes ago, Paul Mellelieu said:

You are a mug chaddy.  The club is being destroyed and can't see it.  Not even bling the frog.  Why you come here I don't know.

And you done what? 

I'm a mug for wanting to back the team. Yes the team. We have games to play and win. You might not fecking shit the players and winning games then fine. 

[KidderStreetNoise]

4 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

And you done what? 

I'm a mug for wanting to back the team. Yes the team. We have games to play and win. You might not fecking shit the players and winning games then fine. 

Why are you in a protest thread when no form of protest would be supported by you?

[roversfan99]

8 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

And you done what? 

I'm a mug for wanting to back the team. Yes the team. We have games to play and win. You might not fecking shit the players and winning games then fine. 

Are you sure?

[simongarnerisgod]

everyone has as opinion on protesting,let them choose their own way,venkys ar`nt selling the club so there is really nothing we can do to change the situation,though i suspect a mass pitch invasion leading to another abandonment would seriously rattle pasha and his puppet gestede,after the debacle of two waterlogged pitches it would certainly enhance media interest in whats going on

[Gamst]

28 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

And you done what? 

I'm a mug for wanting to back the team. Yes the team. We have games to play and win. You might not fecking shit the players and winning games then fine. 

I completely respect you for going to matches as you clearly enjoy it and you should keep going if it makes you happy. You’re not a mug for pursuing what you enjoy. You should also respect those who want to protest or boycott as it makes some people miserable to see how the club is shrinking. I think if I lived locally I would probably keep going too. Regardless of off field matters, I can’t help but support the team. Apathy has set in to a degree but I still have the love for the team that is quickly rekindled with a couple of wins. My worry is where the club will be in 5 or 10 years. I’ve managed to convince my 8 year old son to support the club (poor thing) but with the rate of decline currently I’m worried there won’t be much left to support in the future. Rovers have been important in my life and I want the same for my son. I think this is a legitimate concern and as such I will support any (legal) protests. 

[J*B]

Honestly this doesn’t need half as much thinking as you lot think it does. It needs 50 local people willing to make a real nuisance of themselves at home games within the law and some funding. 

[Mercer]

45 minutes ago, KidderStreetNoise said:

A spreadsheet with all this information was sent to media & representatives & to the club to ask if they were concerned, differences as high as 5,222, a 33% difference.

 

Nobody, and I mean nobody cares 

I have not seen this information so maybe thousands of other fans haven't.

Post the information on here, let's make it punchy and disseminate widely and see if we can gain any traction.  Has to be worth a go.

[Penwortham Blue]

2 hours ago, lraC said:

Granted some won't want to get behind this at either match, but what about the coalition trying this?

Operation Probe (Preston Overflowing Bristol Empty) 

We call on all Rovers fans past and present to make a stand towards the Owners Venky’s by showing the impact they have had on the supporter base since their takeover in 2015.

Since that fateful day, not only have they seen the team plummet from the top half of the Premier League and presided over a fall to a season in the third tier, but they have also seen the crowds plummet too, with a reported 5,500 approximately in attendance for the recent Championship fixture V Oxford United.

On 20/02/26 Rovers entertain Local rivals Preston North End and we would like to target that game as operation fill the ground. We ask that as many supporters as possible attend this game and on 15 and 85 Minutes, rise as one to salute our Number one supporter Jack Walker with a loud and proud chorus of there’s only one Jack Walker.

Following on from this, to show the owners and the wider football community, how these owners has decimated the fanbase, we then ask that as many as possible boycott the Bristol City Game, which is the following home fixture, a few days later.

The contrast in attendances between these fixtures will highlight what the fan base think of their ownership and will hopefully give them food for thought, with regards to giving up the ghost and selling the club.

The damage is now done, so we implore them to sell up and leave and these two matches will go along way towards showing them the strength of feeling, in the fan base.

Count me in, would need massive social media campaign and also for LT to communicate the campaign, albeit they will never endorse it.

[Mercer]

6 minutes ago, J*B said:

Honestly this doesn’t need half as much thinking as you lot think it does. It needs 50 local people willing to make a real nuisance of themselves at home games within the law and some funding. 

Agree.

The silence is deafening.

Posturing and pontificating will do feck all.

Metaphorically, hit the bastards where it hurts and maximise sensitivity and embarrassment.

[Penwortham Blue]

2 hours ago, KidderStreetNoise said:

Sheffield Wednesday had a centralised trust that dealt with raising finances. We had no such setup

Is there a reason that we can’t follow suit ?

[StHelensRover]

I think everyone knows the fan base is still there without the need to actively call for people to turn out. I think too many instructions and caveats will distort the message. Let's call for just one boycott at one match, initially. 

There was 26-27k home fans at the East Lancashire derby last year, we took 5k to Preston this year, 6k to Sheff United for the FA Cup quarter final, 6k to Anfield about a decade ago, 5k to Doncaster on a midweek for promotion. 26k on against Oxford in L1. I've no doubt that if we had somehow made our way into the playoffs there would be 30k fans after a Wembley ticket. When there is a huge fixture even many of those who stay away are temporarily drawn back in with their fingers crossed that things will change (they won't under Venkys). I'm not worried about demonstrating we still have an active fanbase. There's plenty of evidence. 

I'm one of the few still attending and I'm briefly prepared to stop to send a message. We need to think about how we communicate/convince/plead with the other remaining attendees to make a stand. Just for one game.

[Penwortham Blue]

1 hour ago, glen9mullan said:

To follow up on James post, the coalition is a stronger place by WATR being part of it.

Individual groups have their own mandates, members etc.

I'm co chair of one (WATR) and chair of another the BRFC action group.

Approaches are certainly different and action is voted by the Boards/Committees of either of these groups.

Action Group for example have boycotted the FF and have voted a complete vote of no confidence in the mechanism and wont attend under its current format. The minutes are not true and to be completely honest 85% of the panel remain silent and aint batting for the fans.

Where WATR go with the FF i'm unsure as its not been decided but my own thoughts are that of the AG. If its not democratic, voted in by the fans, then it dont represent us.

WATR have quite a few balls in the air, the website is probmatic and is being addressed (a problem i inherited when joining the board). 

We need to push an update out, as its important we feed things to the members of whats occurring with the EFL, Regulator, Owners, Membership and many other things.

The coalition are desperate for meaningful action and were hit with a police/council bill before the derby game. It called a halt to that protest as we have no money, and i cant personally fund it again.

There was a suggestion WATR should fund/front a movement but that would need unaminous board buy in and a membership vote, this was explained at the time, that i cant just say, yep trust will fund it. (Notably the trust has funded some 135/15 leaflets).

One of the biggest issues as @J*B has correctly pointed out, an individual or individuals need to put their name to things. When its not me, there aint any hands going up from others.

We will be pushing on calling for a full scale boycott, NAPM, it be down to each fan then to decide if they go or dont. 

I wont be drawn into the politics or pissing competition, especially from those who aint the credits in the bank.

I know there is lots in the coalition trying their best, against at times a back drop of ridicule.

Its either we move together or give up

Let’s get the call for a boycott moving then, it is way overdue.

[StHelensRover]

Any communications to the fan base will need to have wording in it to discourage division, infighting and arguing between supporters over whether they choose to boycott.

There will also be some groups of supporters less likely to boycott who clearly shouldn't face derision or abuse for attending. I'm thinking of certain vulnerable groups like some disabled or very elderly supporters. For them, attending might be a very important part of their routine and we don't want to put these fans at risk from infighting or pressure.

Edit - I'm not saying that anyone on here would behave badly to fans who disagree with their views, but unfortunately there are some idiots I've seen and heard over the years who can't behave.

 

Edited 7 hours ago by StHelensRover

[BRFC.]

Looking at Sunderland it makes me so jealous, they suffered for years in league one and look at them now, ambition and togetherness. 

[KidderStreetNoise]

1 hour ago, JamieUK said:

WATR has a small number of people in the coalition chat, the same as several other groups, but it’s not accurate to suggest that the trust has been driving decisions or stifling action. No single group has been in control of what the coalition does or doesn’t do.

As I understand, things understandably went quieter after legal threats were made towards one of the main individuals fronting the coalition. Given the seriousness of that situation, it’s only natural that they would take a step back. Unfortunately, rather than others stepping forward to take on that role, a number of people chose to leave instead.

Alongside that, there were concerns around potential policing costs, personal liability and information being leaked from within the group, all of which made people more cautious about being visible or outspoken. There were discussions about doing something around the Derby game, but coming off wins against Southampton, Leicester and Bristol City, there were genuine concerns about turnout and how effective any action would be at that point.

Posts that focus on blaming other supporter groups don’t really help and just play into the clubs hands. If anyone wants to see action happen, the most positive way forward is getting involved and helping to organise it. It’s easy to say more should have been done, but it’s much harder to commit the time and responsibility needed to make something happen.

People chose to leave because members of the trust were stifling action. The comment about the people leaving not stepping forward is comical as around that time the people that left had been the most productive, most people in the group in it to say that they’re in it & to share gossip with other supporters.

[...]

6 hours ago, KidderStreetNoise said:

Where’s my idea of a boycott?

 

Get on the pitch & stop games, that’s the only way

You gonna be first on then during Millwall?

[KidderStreetNoise]

42 minutes ago, Mercer said:

I have not seen this information so maybe thousands of other fans haven't.

Post the information on here, let's make it punchy and disseminate widely and see if we can gain any traction.  Has to be worth a go.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X5d3fIUZpbM7JAxUfVrb0oU4TDZ28tJh-94kvEqjsNo/edit?usp=sharing

[KidderStreetNoise]

3 minutes ago, ... said:

You gonna be first on then during Millwall?

If 2,000 people agreed then yes

[LDRover]

2 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Lol.

Message board Gold.

Ha ha, my thoughts entirely.