I would hate to think that Waggott would have the responsibility of appointing the next manager. He doesn't seem to have much clout and he is a business man not a football man.

I wonder what would happen to Waggott and Venus if Mowbray did walk. If Mowbray really is the good egg many people think he is, he may have concerns that his actions may affect the careers of his mates who followed him to the club. Did they all leave Coventry en masse ?

You are absolutely right about the amounts invovled and obviously understand the financial side of things a lot better than I do. However the figures are grim whichever way you look at them and at some point Venky's will lose patience and interest ( if they actually have any ). What happens then ? that day will come at some point. That is what I am trying to get across in response to the original post that said 'Venky's have done their bit'. One day we may look back and see exactly what they have done.

This was in the LET last time the annual figures were announced: Rovers’ overdraft, currently with the State Bank of India, is up for renewal in March, with the club directors confident it will be renewed.The club’s ‘ultimate parent company’ Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd ‘has sufficient funds and is willing to provide such additional financing as may be required to fund the company’ for the foreseeable future. My point is that this won't go on forever. There is an overdraft to pay back at some point. How long is the foreseeable future ? You may not be worried but I am.

As Venky's provide money to pay the bills and 'bank roll' the club, net laibilities increase proportionally. What's the debt now £170 million ? We may well end up like Bolton if the Bank of India decides it wants some money back.

Obviously it's great to win even when we are not playing well but are you happy with the performances and the direction we are going. If you are being honest you are probably as worried as the rest of us.

So Mowbray thinks Gallagher has regressed since he was here last but he's a good investment ! Travis gives the ball away too much but he's a nice lad Your saying all the wrong things Tony And if I was Rothwell I'd put in a transfer request tomorrow after that article. I can't think of any other manager who likes to talk players down instead of up.

Just waiting for Gladwin to be described as 'like a new signing' when he gets fit just in time for a new contract in January

Taking your point literally, in term of position in the league, we are slightly better off. But.. Is the football better ? has the club invested well ? Does the team appear to have an appetite for a battle ? Is there a good team spirit ? Is there a general positive feel about the club ? Is the team progressing/growing/performing better ( compared to last season ) ? Is the manager inspiring our crop of young players? Is the club happy to rely on a loan goalkeeper when we sold a very good one last summer ? I could go on. Saying we are in a far better position than when Mowbray arrived is really stretching it. ( Not entirely his fault though )

And a united fan base, a genuine board of directors, a club with ambitions and....hope. All things of the past.

This is something I heard a while ago:

It says everything! Football clubs, like most businesses, need hard work and lots of care and attention on a daily basis. Chucking money at the club from afar will never work. They obviously have no interest whatsoever. Bring on Vexit.

Agree with the idea but there is no chance Mowbray will do anything even slightly experimental at this point. Unfortunately the season is far from over - for all the wrong reasons.

http://www.blackburnpast.com/2010/12/john-forbes-cup-winner-businessman.html sorry for derailing a match report thread but I found this link. Includes a picture of a 'Johnny Forbes biscuit tin'! almost as rare as Joy Division oven gloves. I also remember a shoe shop called Holts where the kids department was below street level and you had the choice of using the stairs or a slide. Remember buying some Clarks Commandos in there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forbes_(footballer) Could this be him ?

I think we used to get school uniform from Johnny Forbes - I seem to remember some pictures in the shop of JF in Rovers strip? Also remember getting a free key ring every time you bought something

Me too

I don't agree with this, I think being a Rovers fan might make a real difference. Many 'jobbing' managers who go from club to club may be happy to work in the void that Venky's have generated at our club. The Mowbray/Waggott/Venus trinity has ensconced itself into a position of power on long contracts. This benefits them and not the club. I am sure many potential future managers would fancy an easy life on a long contract with no pressure from the owners. A couple of trips to India now and again should keep them happy. Of all our recent managers, only Lambert was decent enough not to play that game. I would hope that a Rovers fan as manager would insist on changes behind the scenes for the good of the club. Board members with the club at heart, a chief exec that understands football and the local community. Daily contact with the owners to ensure quick decisions. More contact with the fans. Run the club properly and not like a Sunday pub team where the manager is not accountable to anyone else. I am sure things would not change immediately, but a true Rovers fan constantly prodding the owners to do the right thing may help. I am not sure if Ainsworth is the right man or not but I'd like to think his allegiance to the club and his local roots would be a big plus. All hypothetical as Waggott will never sack Mowbray and risk his own job. We may even swap places with Wycombe at the end of the season before anything happens!!

Philip, Apart from providing cash ( which increases the debt ) what other actions make them model owners ? They don't attend matches. They don't communicate with the fans. They waste the manager's time by making him fly to India mid-season. They don't seem to show any interest at all. Seriously, why do you think they are now model owners ?

exemplary adjective/ ɪɡˈzem·plə·ri/ extremely good of its type, so that it might serve as a model for others: I don't see any other club owners aspiring to the Venky model. I wonder why ?

Or VLL files for bankruptcy.

The £175m is loaned to Rovers interest free by VLL but I am sure a large chunk of it is provided to VLL by a 'Bank facility' with the Bank of India. At some point that will need to be repaid. Maybe Venky's (India) are covering the interest on this loan but surely it can't go on forever. At some point BOI will call it in.

What made you move to Canada? surely there is nothing better than a Rovers victory followed by home made hot pot and a few pints in Royal Arms

True because Venky's only remember they own Rovers when it comes up at the AGM every 12 months.

Well said that man. Your second paragraph perfectly sums up the club's predicament. Of course, results on the pitch and the choice of manager are important to all Rovers' fans but the club itself and it's heritage are paramount. I understand that some people may consider my posts as waffle because I usually comment on the owners, not the football, but that to me is the most important issue at the moment. Something has to change at some point. Fan pressure can have an affect but after 10 years I think fatigue has set in for most people. One thing is for sure, we will still be here when Venky's have gone. I hope we still have a club to support.