Fans Forum/Roverstore/Commercial Chat

[...]

1 hour ago, RoryRoversIreland said:

https://x.com/BRFCCoalition/status/1953773189466603750

Yes Rory! 

#RORYFORCEO

[Mattyblue]

Spotted there will only be two meetings during the entirety of this upcoming season… no surprises there!

[lraC]

Below is a podcast of one of the Bi- Annual meetings from a few years ago.

It is a very interesting listen now, especially the bit on Pasha, given recent events

https://audioboom.com/posts/5771991-listen-again-blackburn-rovers-supporters-consultation-meeting?t=0

[Waggy76]

1 hour ago, lraC said:

It's a shame Pasha was not asked that at the FF meeting, he would have really gone into meltdown.

They do go back some time together, by the looks of things

A very tangled web indeed !

Edited 10 hours ago by Waggy76

[RevidgeBlue]

3 hours ago, glen9mullan said:

For context this was the original approved version of the minutes.

 

Minutes of the Blackburn Rovers Fans’ Forum

Meeting Monday 14^th July 2025 – 6.30pm

 

 

 

Present – Fans’ Forum                  

 

Mark Hitchen                                   

John Wareing                                  

Glen Mullan                                     

Fin Rosbotham                                                

Ivan  Rosbotham                                      

Annette Birkbeck                             

Kenny Hodkinson                                                    

Zubair Bassa

Attiq Ali

Steve Birtwell

Terry Crawford

Megan Longworth

Duncan Miller

Chris Lofthouse

Neil Duckworth

Katie Hull

 

Present from BRFC

 

Suhail Shaikh           Chief Operating Officer

Lynsey Talbot           Head of Operations

Christina Haines       Admin, Access and Inclusion Officer/Supporter Liaison Officer

Yasir Sufi                 Head of Commercial & Partnerships

Adam Owen             Head of Technical Development

Anna Melia               Head of Marketing

Rob Gill                    Head of Media & Communications

 

1.     Apologies for Absence 

       

Ray Williamson

Savio Mathias                                  

Bharat Parmar

Tristan Stock

Peter Bolton

Adrian Chenery

Joel Chenery

Anne-Marie Riach

 

2.     Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meeting 15^th April 2025

 

        None.

 

 

 

 

 

3.     Pre-Season – including Spain Tour

       

YS stated that tickets for both games at the Pinetar Arena were available online from the venue. Asked whether there would be open training sessions, he replied that the cost that would be charged by the hotel were not justifiable.

 

JW asked whether any game had been arranged for the weekend of 2^nd and 3^rd August. SS replied that nothing had been arranged as yet but that discussions were ongoing.

 

 

4.     Staffing Changes

       

        MH wished to put on record his and the Forum’s thanks to Steve Waggott for his input to the Fans Forum over the past seven years. He asked whether the club had any comment to make on the terse official statement on his departure. SS replied that he wished to make no further comment. The process to appoint a new Chief Executive had been started by the owners, although he was not involved in the process. As a result he could not advise on the timescale for the process. I

 

        It was confirmed that at the moment Steve Waggott was still officially a club employee.

 

        Asked by JW about the reported departure of David Lowe, SS replied that as far as he understood this had not happened.

 

       

5.     Club Communications

 

        DM asked about the status of the Fan Engagement Plans that the EFL now required clubs to produce each season. LT replied that the 2024/25 plan had been submitted before the end of June in line with EFL Regulation. The 2025/26 plan was being prepared by LT, AM and YS and would be signed off by SS and the Board and submitted by the end of July.

 

        GM asked whether the club were still supporting the Government’s proposals regarding a Football Regulator. LT replied that the position of the Club remained the same as it had previously.

       

6.     Funding

 

        ZB asked for feedback on SS’s recent visit to the owners in India. SS replied that it had been a normal trip to finalise club budgets for the coming year. The owners had provided up to £17m to support the club in the previous year and a further £5m has recently be sent to cover for shortfalls in May and June. Capex budget of £1.5m had been proposed for planned stadium maintenance. Asked for clarification on the transfer budget by DM, SS replied that a budget had been agreed for five appointments of which some had now been filled. Overall the plan was to run a financially sustainable club in the Championship but with the aspiration to gain promotion to the Premier League.

 

        GM asked whether, if the club generates funds by player sales, some of these funds could be used to buy replacements. SS replied that, whilst there was no such general agreement in place there had been reinvestment in the playing squad from player sales, such as when the club re-invested 40% of Sammie Szmodics’ transfer fee.

 

        DM asked whether it was possible for any Championship club to be financially sustainable in the current market. AO replied that he had agreed to come to the club based on its model of developing young players and selling them on for profit as they develop to mitigate losses. He believed that this was possible with a Category 1 academy as the club had.

 

        MH asked whether SS had been able to obtain the maximum wage budget they asked for, as outlined in the last Forum minutes. SS replied that he had not got all he had asked for but had negotiated an improvement.

 

7.     Season Tickets 2025-26

 

        AM stated that information on the membership tiers would be issued in the following week and that the club had taken on board various issues with Blues membership.

 

        YS provided some information on season ticket sale for the 2024/25 season. The club had responded to fans’ desire to have season ticket prices launched earlier. The decision had been made to launch in March ahead of the club having a run of three games against teams in the relegation fight. As it happened the club lost all three of these games. Currently the number of season ticket sold were 3.6% down on the total sales at the same time in the previous season, but revenue was up by 10%.

 

        YS stated that in the 2024-25 season the club were 23^rd in the Championship in terms of revenue from season ticket sales and that the Championship average season ticket income across all clubs was more than double that for Rovers. Rovers had year on year reduced Season Ticket pricing, which had led to a decrease in overall revenue. Only Hull City offer overall cheaper ticket prices across all age groups than Rovers in the 25/26 season.

 

        He stated that the club were not where they had hoped to be in terms of sales but were in a better position than had been feared earlier. In response to a question he stated that to date the club had sold about 400 tickets in Phase 2.

 

        JW asked whether the club intended to issue a flexible season ticket as they had done in January. YS stated that this may well be done in the New Year.

 

        There was a discussion about how the club could grow the sales of season tickets. YS believed that pricing was not the principal reason for declining sales. GM believed that the club should concentrate on lapsed supporters from the core fanbase, those whose families have been fans for generations. ZB wanted to grow the interest in the South Asian community in Blackburn, now a significant proportion of the population. ND agreed that the club should look at attracting fans who have no familial connection to the club.

 

        DM and GM asked whether the club could publicly recognise their failures in the management of the club which have had impact on attendances. SS replied that of course there had been mistakes.

 

8.     Club Kits 2025-26

 

        MH asked for an update on sales of the two kits so far released for the new season and the plans for the 150^th Anniversary kit. YS replied that sales had been going well and that there had been a positive reaction from fans. The club had increased the order for the 3^rd kit after the success of the 2024-25 version. GM praised the launch event recently held.

 

        The 150^th Anniversary shirt would also be provided by Macron under the existing contract. It would be a limited edition shirt and would be released closer to the Anniversary date in November.

 

        The away kit would be launched on Friday 18^th July. The team would be wearing this kit for the friendly game with Everton on 19^th, as Everton had as yet only released their new home kit and they had requested that they wear it at the game.

 

        GM asked about the inadvertent leak of the kit the day before the launch. AM replied that the error had been an individual one made by a member of staff of the agency that had been contracted to help. It was extremely unfortunate, and the club had come to an agreement with the agency as a result.

       

9.     Summer Works      

 

        LT stated that bore holes were being drilled for the rails to be fitted for the new safe seating section that week. The rails would not be fitted before the Everton game as, once fitted they would require building regulation approval along with SGSA Licensing which would have been time restrictive as until the license is approved the whole area would not be able to be used. She expected that everything would be ready for the home cup game with Bradford City in August.

 

        MH asked what other work had been done in the close season. LT replied that £250,000 had been spent on the vomitories at both the Blackburn and Darwen Ends in the last year. The toilets in Blues Bar had been refurbished and a considerable amount of work had been done at Brockhall.

 

        YS stated that, contrary to some social media comment, the ANPR cameras which had been installed in the car parks were not for fans parking there but were for the number of cars who use the car parks across the week. An example was driving instructors who often brought their clients on to the car parks.

 

        YS stated that there had been upgrades to the turnstiles. There would be communication to fans ahead of the Everton game encouraging fans to have their mobile tickets ready for processing and downloaded to their wallet ahead of arriving at the turnstiles.

 

        GM asked about parking for stewarding staff on the club car parks, feeling that they should for security be allowed to park close to their work. LT replied that current staff who had car parking spaces would be protected but spaces would not be provided for new staff as there was no available space unless there was a need to make a reasonable adjustment. She said that Darwen Vale school had provided more space and that they had been willing to offer a number of spaces for staff who were willing to park there and walk down to and from the ground.

 

10.   Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

 

        LT stated that there was nothing to report during the close season.

       

11.   Women’s Team

 

ML led the discussion on the club’s decision to voluntarily relegate the women’s team to League 4. Despite the club’s One Rovers inclusive campaign they had withdrawn funding for the team. SS replied that unfortunately due to the demands the current model was not sustainable, with a further significant rise in minimum criteria set by the league, increase in staffing levels and player contract it was not economically viable for the club to continue to support the team at the Championship level given the new funding requirements. The team had had a £100,000 sponsor but took less than £20,000 in ticket income in 2024-25 but the new funding would require expenditure of £1m a season. It had been the club’s decision to take voluntary relegation to work with the budget approved by the owners.

 

KH asked whether there was any truth in the rumour that the club rejected an offer for some external funding for the team. SS replied that he was not aware of this.

 

ML asked what the plan for the team was now. SS stated that they would compete in League 4.

 

DM asked about the rumour of a team player whose funding for her rehabilitation programme had been stopped as a result of this decision. SS stated that this was not true. The player was unable to undertake her rehabilitation at Brockhall but the programme to support was continuing elsewhere and they were hoping to come to an agreement to train at the University of Lancashire’s facility in Preston or a suitable alternative location.

 

YS pointed out that Rovers Women’s team were not the only club to be in a difficult financial situation.

 

GM asked whether the club would accept that the decision had not been handled well, to which SS agreed.

 

 

 

12.   Any Other Business      

 

a)    CL asked if SS could confirm his role at the club. SS explained that he was responsible for the Academy and for the commercial operations at the club. The CEO would be responsible for the football club.

b)    GM requested that the club keep open consultation with the various fans groups, particularly BRFCST that had this when Steve Waggott was CEO. LT explained that the club had to outline its approach to consultation as part of its annual Fan Engagement Plan. It may be that a new CEO would approach consultation in a different way and it was possible to change the plan by notifying the EFL with 5 days notice.

YS stated that it would be important that any fan communications were consistent across the whole fan base, and not just with select supporters.

 

 

 

 

These original minutes don't give a true representation of what went on at all. Whoever agreed them with the Club should be ashamed.

Unsurprisingly there is no real mention of the two points I flagged up, Suhail saying the owners were solely responsible for the appointment of the CEO - he's put them under real pressure there - and him throwing them under the bus regarding the women's team by saying it was their decision.

Or the "Smoking gun" that proves what we've all long suspected, his admission that the owners' goal is merely to be "sustainable". I do hope someone gives the owners the opportunity to read the "real" minutes at some point!

If Fans Forums are usually like this but all we see is sanitised minutes on the official website then my apologies may be due to the likes of K Hod for for accusing the members of being too passive over the months. If that's the case though whoever is recording what's gone on should be ashamed of colluding with the Club in producing doctored or heavily censored minutes for the official website.

If however this meeting was a complete departure from the norm due to the introduction of a few feistier members then many congratulations are due to them - you've finally given the forum some teeth and made it relevant for the current situation.

I bet the "Who are we playing in pre season" contingent were choking on their tea and biscuits!

 

[lraC]

8 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

These original minutes don't give a true representation of what went on at all. Whoever agreed them with the Club should be ashamed.

Unsurprisingly there is no real mention of the two points I flagged up, Suhail saying the owners were solely responsible for the appointment of the CEO - he's put them under real pressure there - and him throwing them under the bus regarding the women's team by saying it was their decision.

Or the "Smoking gun" that proves what we've all long suspected, his admission that the owners' goal is merely to be "sustainable". I do hope someone gives the owners the opportunity to read the "real" minutes at some point!

If Fans Forums are usually like this but all we see is sanitised minutes on the official website then my apologies may be due to the likes of K Hod for for accusing the members of being too passive over the months. If that's the case though whoever is recording what's gone on should be ashamed of colluding with the Club in producing doctored or heavily censored minutes for the official website.

If however this meeting was a complete departure from the norm due to the introduction of a few feistier members then many congratulations are due to them - you've finally given the forum some teeth and made it relevant for the current situation.

I bet the "Who are we playing in pre season" contingent were choking on their tea and biscuits!

 

I don’t think we know who agreed them or wrote them yet, although a couple of people have had a go, for me making a similar post to  this. 

[glen9mullan]

13 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

These original minutes don't give a true representation of what went on at all. Whoever agreed them with the Club should be ashamed.

Unsurprisingly there is no real mention of the two points I flagged up, Suhail saying the owners were solely responsible for the appointment of the CEO - he's put them under real pressure there - and him throwing them under the bus regarding the women's team by saying it was their decision.

Or the "Smoking gun" that proves what we've all long suspected, his admission that the owners' goal is merely to be "sustainable". I do hope someone gives the owners the opportunity to read the "real" minutes at some point!

If Fans Forums are usually like this but all we see is sanitised minutes on the official website then my apologies may be due to the likes of K Hod for for accusing the members of being too passive over the months. If that's the case though whoever is recording what's gone on should be ashamed of colluding with the Club in producing doctored or heavily censored minutes for the official website.

If however this meeting was a complete departure from the norm due to the introduction of a few feistier members then many congratulations are due to them - you've finally given the forum some teeth and made it relevant for the current situation.

I bet the "Who are we playing in pre season" contingent were choking on their tea and biscuits!

 

Thanks , you can understand why i nearly choked on my chicken and immediately went "i dont think so, not on my watch".

I cant comment on previous meetings, I wasn't there.

Its clear the content now has far more than previous however doctored its been.

Is an FF ban coming for me? Would they dare? Mmmmmm

[RevidgeBlue]

4 minutes ago, lraC said:

I don’t think we know who agreed them or wrote them yet, although a couple of people have had a go, for me making a similar post to  this. 

Well saying it probably isn't going to win you or I any popularity contests but it has to be said Im afraid.

If the minutes dont reflect what's said in the meeting then the meetings become completely meaningless. They just become a private argument between those in attendance and everyone else is duped into thinking all was well.

[funny-old-game]

1 hour ago, glen9mullan said:

Is an FF ban coming for me? Would they dare? Mmmmmm

Why would they do that?

[roverblue]

10 hours ago, Old Rover said:

From the last accounts: 

 

Turnover (Doesn't include player sales.)

Matchday inc season tickets/away fans/walk on 4.9

Media 9.4

Commercial 6.4

other 0.2

total 21.4 million

 

Wages and salaries 25.4 

"other " operating expenses 13.2

total 38.6 

 

Loss before player trading 17.2

player trading 21.2 

 

So we made a profit that season of 3.3 million which would have gone  towards 24/25 operating expenses. We probably made a small loss last season which would be why i think 4 million or whatever was requested and sent over after the last court case in June 2025.

 

Something stinks with our wage bill. We have spent the last few years trimming the squad of players and anyone on a high wage. It makes no sense for this not to have come down by millions.

[Old Rover]

21 minutes ago, roverblue said:

Something stinks with our wage bill. We have spent the last few years trimming the squad of players and anyone on a high wage. It makes no sense for this not to have come down by millions.

Still one of the lowest wage bills in the Championship. Crap and average players are on a fortune these days, pisses me off 

[superniko]

8 hours ago, Mike Graham said:

The rumour is yes.

If that came to light then I think even the ‘happy clappers’ (for want of a better phrase) would turn

[Bronzed A Donis]

18 minutes ago, superniko said:

If that came to light then I think even the ‘happy clappers’ (for want of a better phrase) would turn

Sadly I doubt it. There is always an excuse ready. Sometimes I wish I didn't know or care about any of it tbh, must he fun to still have that childlike mind and I mean that with sincerity.

[lraC]

4 hours ago, roverblue said:

Something stinks with our wage bill. We have spent the last few years trimming the squad of players and anyone on a high wage. It makes no sense for this not to have come down by millions.

Agents and vagabonds from yesteryear, still on the payroll.