Jump to content

BRFCS

BY THE FANS, FOR THE FANS
SINCE 1996
Proudly partnered with TheTerraceStore.com

Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation since 03/28/23 in all areas

  1. Sorry all, I've not posted and I feel all the frustration, breathe it with you and I'm sorry. The last 72 hours have been crazy, From being added to protests groups on whatsapp/Facebook and request via PM to get involved (My phone number everywhere and getting crack pot texts) I engaged with Steve Waggott, and India the day after the transfer window, It did not smell too nice, and I wanted answers, just like you want answers, just like everyone wants answers. India ignored me, and Waggott came back to me and agreed to have a meeting. In the meantime protests threads popping up all over the internet, and I'm still somewhat unsure who is leading the protest, because unless its organic someone needs to take responsibility and the legal implications that come with it. Seen lots of idea's and awaiting the systematic plan of attack. (Given my experience in this field, and knowing what it could cost you, be that your job or indeed your freedom, then I have to take a holistic view of all options which in fairness are either in their infancy, or there is 10 groups doing different things.) Monday I attended a family funeral , but was willing to meet Waggott after the funeral as this was important, I wanted to get my points across swiftly and in no certain terms. Eventually we agreed on Tuesday as a "Safe space" conversation. WHY You all ask? Well to draw the lines in the sand for rules of engagement. Prior to this meeting i had a message from Josh asking if I'd been invited to meeting a Brockhall by Duncan, I said no, and was informed he be in touch. I then had a discussion with Waggott, and made it perfectly clear the balloon has popped. I told him he had heard the crowd at the weekend and that was not even 5% at how far supporters can take it. I explained the PR Was shocking , every day its another balls up, and each day the club remains silent, that a snow ball becomes a snowman. He was told Suhail hiding in the shadows is no longer acceptable and unless he comes out, then he will be hounded out, like the many the supporters have successfully sent on their merry way. We discussed the Maguire Fiasco, and there is some legal implications here, which include employment law, and contract law. You need to appreciate that due to this, I have to park this. What I can say, its been reported in the press we did not press the send. This is 100% factual, and there is a number of broken people. Please understand, I just don't have unlimited funds for a personal lawsuit!!!! 1 Win in 11 was discussed, and regardless of likeability, a team is judged on results, and we aint getting them. If there was not background noise regarding funds and messed up transfers, the fans would be looking at results as the immediate threat to this club. I stated we have division of where the fault lies in the supporter base, which includes Him, Venkys, Broughton and the Manager. However the anger right now is heading up his garden path, and again the Raos. I stated Protest are coming, these can't be stopped, be that organic, or organised, the balance has tipped. I stated the clubs actions in the coming days will very much set the mood for the foreseeable. I said a divided club internally wont last two minutes once the fans dig their teeth in. I was later asked if I would attend a meeting with the senior players council today. I asked what the purpose was? what's the agenda? what's the end game? I will be honest, i never really got answers and thought this is short notice. I weighed up the pro's and cons. If we don't attend, will this be used as an opportunity to state we offered an olive branch to have open dialogue and the fans dismissed it? I know how the media works, how things can be twisted, and how they can become your enemy if your not seen to be playing the right way. We saw during the Kean era, it was massively portrayed it was the supporters fault. Even our own supporters turned on the protest and it was a toxic environment for everyone, and certainly an environment which at times were scary. Typical examples: 1. My wife Laura was holding my daughter at Ipswich away whilst also 4 months pregnant. Our own supporters, came across knocked the my daughter out her arms and punched my wife to the ground. 2. I was woke up by a phone call, and told to look out the window, i had 2 guys outside with Petrol cans, 48 hours earlier I'd received threats that my house would be burnt down with my children in it. 3. I was assaulted at Wigan away. 4. I was informed by the club they had found payments to hoodlums who were known to me as people who had issued threats. 5. I received phone calls, telling me to walk away or I would disappear. I never wavered, I piled all my money into finding the truth, come rain or shine despite some awful things being said about me, I stood by those I promised to represent with everything I had to give. Anyway moving on - Josh and I had a chat regarding the meeting and neither of us were keen, especially with no agenda, but we knew, we'd not sit in silence and would give it a whirl. Some supporter groups, supporters declined to attend. This morning I was awaken by my wife in the early hours, I was having an awful attack, and knowing I was in hospital this morning, we knew taking my medication would mean they could not do the test, which I've been waiting for. She tried all sorts as my Oxegen levels dropped to 83 and rather than speed up, my heart rate went to 27. I dunno how she managed it, but I'm here typing., I got off for my appointment this morning, did my two hour test, and was informed the meeting time had changed, it had been brought forwards. At this point I knew just Josh , Duncan and I were going and not a lot more to be honest. We arrived, went to the back room, Mike G Was there , and then more filtered in. Sorry I can't remember everyone's name. The players came in, and I did state that i'm surprised they got 5 players who we actually own, as an ice breaker which the players took in good humour The meeting started, and around 60 seconds in (Quite good for me, they usually only get 30 seconds) I interrupted the meeting and stated categorically, and said we ain't here on some PR Exercise, don't want a balloon and picture and its a safe space as a group for everyone to talk openly. They went around the room and each player and supporters had questions and answers. Everyone from the supporters section, stated that anger was at the owners and the shit show in the background. The players all said they results were not good enough, they understood the frustrations when they lose, and they feel it like we feel it. However it was then reiterated about 13 years of crap from india, Maguire fiasco, Financial fiasco. Josh was fantastic, he made it clear that a coffee with the players is not going to have a jot of difference or solve the wider issues which are once again bringing the clubs competence into question (Appreciate he did not use these exact words, it was much stronger). Waggott is certainly feeling the pressure from all angles, be that internal, external or India. He is not blind to what may occur but continues to engage. In terms of Suhail, Josh made it clear, without him in the room, its pointless, he cant hide away and as the owners mouthpiece he needs to engage. I can assure everyone that anything else discussed is out there in the public domain, and for legal reasons I personally cannot deny or confirm certain things, My wife needs every penny we have right now, and I cannot leave her destitute by being caught up in a legal battle for something I cannot substantiate. My health is well documented, and even tonight the grief on twitter for reporting the news, which is not an endorsement of the news is just shocking really. At times I don't know who the enemy is. The meeting ended, and the supporters stopped behind for a debrief really amongst themselves. A little shell shocked, perhaps confused and if anything its fair to say we was unprepared. We had not met up previously, each group there bar the independents which I consider myself, have a mandate or a function to provide free speech. For example, I could see first hand how the trust are in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position. The positive around the meeting is that different groups with somewhat differing views could work as a team to get the points across and everyone did this well to a person. No-one had birds spinning around their heads,. and to be honest I'm proud of them all and they are credit to the supporter base for having a go, and saying exactly as it is. I know to some the above is excuses and we are all on the naughty step, however you won't conquer the mountain if you fail to engage and put the graft in to build the blocks. Some of us are tired, we've been at this years, at times the grief becomes more than the cause and whatever happens it does affect us all. Some tweets I was receiving tonight of 17/18 yr old lads, were 4 or 5 years old when we was in the trenches last time, or marching to the FA and Parliament. There 100% needs to be a know your history piece, because right now, Venkys out, Waggott our JDT Out, whoever out, won't work without clear facts. The media need the story they need the reasoning, as do a big % of match going supporters. Thank you for reading, I know BRFCS Will do an article and Rovers Chat a podcast, Id rather them do that now, and any question be posed after that, as I'm just exhausted
    95 points
  2. I was there - got the phone call last night. Not really sure why me specifically, it wasn’t specifically through BRFCS. But I thought it’s better to be there than not, so I went down. Basically what Glen has tweeted was how the meeting went. It was an informal chat with the players then Waggott. There’s no minutes. The general discussion was the players mentioning the atmosphere at home games and specifically the end of the QPR match and during another match (they couldn’t remember which) where they were boo’d off at half time. They said the senior players spent half time keeping the younger players in the rate state of mind and that’s not the best use of time. I made it abundantly clear to all the players that any booing is directly at one of Venkys, Pasha and Waggott or JDT. Szmodics especially said “we’re open to criticism, we were shit against Huddersfield and we know it”. I also explained to the players that unfortunately this club has had ‘ownership issues’ for 14 years now and whilst the last five years have been relatively stable, until the issues with ownership and senior management are addressed it’s only ever a stubbed toe away from discontent amongst the fan base. The players also asked how we could get more fans in the stadium at Ewood. I explained to them the issues with ticket pricing and season ticket pricing — which I described as “abhorrent” — and the horrific deprivation in the local area meaning that fans would love to go but frankly have to pick between eating and heating, meaning there’s little spare money and not enough to be spending on tickets. There was further discussions which everyone in the room agreed to not disclose at this point. I gave my word - as did everyone else - so I’ll honour that.
    54 points
  3. Can't deny it, the man has class. Thanks Jon. Certain members of the Ewood hierachy: take note. I'm not crying, you are...
    51 points
  4. Long term viewer of this forum. Made me chuckle reading the summer comments on here of people arguing this time was different and that the Venky’s will allow Broughton to reinvest funds. Talk of the Raya money; Kaminski; Phillips etc. Well here we are, £28million in transfer fees brought in this season, £1million AT A PUSH spent. ’Player trading’ model? There is no fucking model. The whole business of Blackburn Rovers is dependent on what side of the bed some chicken chokers thousands of miles away wake up on. Bring back the protests.
    47 points
  5. I’m never going to give the owners credit for doing the bare minimum and the bare minimum alone. They’ve ruined this club since the moment they darkened our door, have brought shame on us and I can’t wait for them to clear off. Absolute dicks, that family.
    46 points
  6. For me the statement put out by the club stating we had funds to get to the end of the season, is spitting in my face , when they bloody knew that was based on selling our biggest asset. Loans, loans and more loans , with most of Adams fee gobbled up to pay the bills. Add that to pending Raya money Phillip's money and any further sales, they are really leaving us to rot with zero ambition.
    45 points
  7. The sticking point is that Rovers are insisting Gally plays against us.
    45 points
  8. I came into this window with absolutely 0 expectations and Rovers have still managed to go below that.
    43 points
  9. After this meeting and the events of the last week- I genuinely think this up there with as embarrassed and ashamed as I’ve ever felt about the club.
    42 points
  10. They won't have to run very fast.
    42 points
  11. I have been a long term reader of this forum, and I have always enjoyed reading people’s opinions on Rovers, without ever posting myself. After 30 years of supporting Rovers, I think I am at my lowest point, and there have been many lows over the past 12 years as you all know. I cannot stomach the thought of another 12 years under our current “owners”. As many have posted over the last couple of months, where do we go from here to rid ourselves of these people who have shamed and continue to shame this once proud and great football club. 12 years of mis-management, lies, and embarrassment. Does it make me any less of a fan to think rovers would be better off getting relegated in order to force a reaction in India? As we are only going to be in the exact same position or worse next season in the championship. The topic of protests. I admire those who organised the tennis ball protest against Newcastle albeit it was a small protest. What will it take for Rovers fans to invade the pitch in numbers like reading have done, hitting the club and owners in the pocket with abandoned matches. Through the Lancashire telegraph or other platforms, can an open letter to the owners be compiled requesting them to sell the football club as their position is untenable and beyond repair. This may have been tried in years gone by, and be nothing more than something the owners would simply overlook but at least it hammers home the fans feelings. Surely more pressure must be applied to the Football League for more stringent criteria to be put in place on owners. A founder member of the Football League being dragged through the mud, and technically being ran on the basis payments are approved by a court in India. I can live with the club not having much money to spend on players, but to be subjected to a constant cycle of crisis and incompetence at every level I cannot. At the very least we demand the club is ran professionally by people who care and have good intentions.
    41 points
  12. No way do you have a meeting with CEO and senior players without the Manager and the Manager not be leaving. Absolutely no way to run a football club. In that CCTV footage, the players looked like they were hostages. My opinion of Steve Waggott is unprintable.
    41 points
  13. We have plumbed new depths today. A meeting between supporters and players facilitated by a man who is really scraping the barrel. Players moaning because they heard some booing? I really am struggling to come to terms with the happenings and events of the last few days. I remember when several of the Fans Forum went to India. Over the months and years after some of them said they had been used as a publicity stunt. I can't help feeling the same right now as Waggott has run out of ideas and is using fans in a way that makes me uncomfortable.
    41 points
  14. Did anyone ask Hedges what the fuck did he try and chip it for?
    40 points
  15. That was such an enjoyable evening as, for a rare occurrence I could relax and really enjoy a Rovers performance. What a credit to the club these youngsters are. Great attitude and desire to do well and from Tomasson's comments it seems they are great to work with too. I counted seven academy graduates in the team that finished alongside two youngsters in Bloxham and Markanday. Quite often games that see teams three or four up at the break and up with no second half goals but tonight our desire for more goals was clear to see and we could have had twelve. I loved Tomasson's post match comment that he wanted ten. Keeping Tomasson here should be the highest priority and the powers that be should be sitting down with him now with the offer of an extension to his deal. No penny pinching, no prevaricating just get the deal done. We won't make a better signing.
    40 points
  16. Here’s where I stand. 22M guaranteed is a lot of money. It’s our record sale. Adam’s the best player we will produce in a long, long time. But the squad needs investment, we have three or four key positions which need strengthening and we don’t have the funds to do that without selling Adam. Selling a homegrown player for 22M means there cannot be any argument with FFP for years to come. Venkys and Waggott, your excuse is now null and void. This is the “model” which we have been told the club will run by. Buy cheap — or develop internally — and sell at the best point for the club. So Gregg, here’s your chance. Your job is on the line. We need a goal scoring striker, a winger, a playmaker central midfielder and an experienced centre back. If you fail to get them, then you should be sacked for negligence. If the owners do not give you the money to do your job then you need to walk as it won’t get better than this. Jon, this is your chance too. If you get the four first team players needed and the problems we’ve been having continue then you’re not up to the job either. Adam, good luck and thank you for everything. I’m excited to watch you play in the Premier League, for England and one day finish your career back home. The next 18 months are the most important in the clubs recent history.
    39 points
  17. Won't be watching the game as my dad is very ill In hospital. All my focus will be on him. Hope rovers win tomorrow
    39 points
  18. If JDT hasn’t walked already he’ll be out of the door now Never in my life have I heard of an instance of a team meeting, regarding the performance of that team, happening without the head coach present…and especially consisting of fans…. as a “safe space” to talk How disrespectful to JDT. He needs to do himself a favour and get out of here. He is too good for this crap
    38 points
  19. I am becoming more and more convinced that we are on the right track with JDT at the helm and that he is a good manager. I think we've got lucky. He's had us in contention all season, and even with the sucker punches of the last 3 games it is worth remembering what we are dealing with and what we are up against. But for very fine margins our performances could easily have warranted 7-9 points from these 3 games rather than just 2. I know it is a results business and over the last 10 games they have been poor, but again tonight we deserved more than we got. People have been telling me all season what a great side they are and what a good manager Kompany is. Well if tonight is anything to go by I'm not impressed. JDT had him sussed and but for one attempt from distance or a competent referee we'd have had something. Yes it's time to bring the referee up. Cork should have been yellow carded within 3 minutes of being on the pitch. Then another few minutes later, when he was booked, that should have either been a straight red or at least his second yellow. That let off came 2-3 minutes before their goal just as we were enjoying a good spell. The same referee who had no such restraint or patience when sending Ayala and Garrett off earlier this season, but consistency is too much to expect with these jokers. I haven't seen the penalty again but believe from a screenshot it is blatant handball. Then 4 minutes added time - really? 8 substitutions, 4-5 yellow cards, pitch invasions and warning their keeper about timewasting and the bog standard 4 minutes is considered reasonable? Shocking. Back to the stuff we can control and we are paying the price for negligent management upstairs. It has likely cost us a play-off position and I predict it will ensure JDT walks at the first opportunity putting us back to square one. Once again a couple of good additions in January would have made all the difference in a game like tonight, instead we are bringing Harry Leonard on in a desperate bid to find a goal. It just isn't good enough and the blame for that lies upstairs. They've let us all down. Thought the players put in a great effort tonight and none of them did much wrong. They need to pick themselves up again and give it everything in these last 2 which are effectively pre-play offs, the Millwall game could be a play-off for the play-offs. In some ways it is perfectly simple - if we can't beat Luton at home and Millwall away, two sides we are going to need to be able to overcome in our quest to get the top 6 and progress through them, then is there any point in getting in them or do we deserve to?
    38 points
  20. We keep slagging off the "Venkys" but it is the Rao family that have ruined the club. The Rovers manager was prevented from speaking at his regular Friday presser yesterday but has spoken today. Last summer the "project" that he had agreed with the owners changed completely. He had just missed the play offs on goal difference but was told there was no money for transfer fees or wages, the budget was considerably reduced. Under these circumstances he offered to resign and leave the club without any reimbursement. No, the owners wanted him to continue so he moved his family to the Ribble Valley and continued to work long hours. This current transfer window the budget was cut again and despite selling a 19 year old star player for £18m+ there was no money for transfer fees. The owners, the Rao family, are being investigated by the Indian government for fraud, perhaps even money laundering. They are not allowed to transfer money out of India without permission. The court case is ongoing. When the Rao family bought BRFC they didn't know a club could be relegated. They were allegedly conned by advisors. The Rao family are stupid, ignorant, dishonest and dishonourable people. They are an embarrassment to their family and country. Let's forget Venkys and go after the real culprits?
    37 points
  21. Wonder if JDT will pick Leo in his first Sweden squad 🤔
    37 points
  22. The senior staff at Rovers think the fan base are totally stupid and will believe whatever nonsense they put out through friendly media outlets. And quite frankly they’re right. There is only a few of us bother question any of it.
    37 points
  23. skyblue here, he screwed Charlton over and did the same for us, the man is a fraud and shouldn't be allowed near a football club I hope you can get rid of him asap.
    36 points
  24. Nothing but love and respect for JDT from me here. Impossible to really jusdge whether he was truly great or not as every transfer window we had it was a complete disaster leading to a weaker squad than what it was before. He cut through the smog that has engulfed the club for 13 years like a stiff breeze and laid blame at the feet of those responsible. It wasn't all brilliant, one or two games in particular were beyond awful but on the whole it's been good. In the whole time venkys have been here he has been the only club official to show pride, ambition, integrity and most importantly respect for the fans. So good luck Jon Dahl Tomasson, I'm sure you'll prove to be a top top manager in the future. Thanks for actually showing us what a real football club should be like and giving us, the fans, some long overdue respect.
    36 points
  25. We’ve chased McGuire all summer. We’ve convinced him to join us over Sheff Wednesday. We’ve put him on a transatlantic flight then changed our minds mid flight? What is wrong with this football club? Where are our standards? This is not how we should operate, it is embarrassing.
    36 points
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.