August - Special Newsletter
Important WATR Statement regarding a meeting with Suhail Shaikh and Steve Waggott
August 5, 2024
On Friday August 2nd, representatives of We Are The Rovers met with club CEO Steve Waggott and COO Suhail Shaikh to discuss recent events and raise ongoing supporter concerns.
During the meeting we touched on three main areas:
- The lack of clarity around the ongoing court case
- Questions about the owners ability/willingness to fund the club
- Level of communication and engagement
We impressed upon them the growing concern that supporters have around the ongoing legal issues involving the owners, which appear to be impacting the clubs ability to function.
We stressed that if the owners are either unwilling or unable to run the club on a benefactor model, placing the club up for sale was the only viable option.
The forthcoming 20th August Delhi High Court case was also discussed. It was reiterated to WATR that the forthcoming 20th August Delhi High Court hearing is seen as an opportunity for the Owners to agree a better solution is in place for remittance of funds to BRFC in the UK, and that the Owners are committed to continue to fund any losses of Blackburn Rovers for the coming season.
It was highlighted that much of the unrest is a result of a void in communications, and the need for a full explanation of the current position is required directly from the club.
As a result of this initial meeting, it was agreed that a wider consultation between the club and a broad range of supporters and fan groups should take place at an appropriate time in the future. Planning for this is ongoing and further details will be provided in due course.
The COO has agreed to attend future scheduled WATR Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) meetings on a regular basis. Work will also be undertaken to allow regular communication and, if possible, in person meetings between the Owners and representatives of WATR in the future.
While the meeting was positive overall, and welcomed by both WATR and the Club, it is only the first step to improving engagement between the club and its most important stakeholder - its fanbase.’
Gary Smith has tendered his resignation from the Board of WATR on the 1st August 2024. Gary will continue to support the work of WATR and will support the Board if required with his experience and expertise. Gary thanked WATR for the opportunity. WATR thank Gary for his continued support and wish him well in the future.
Local Darwen based 3 Bees Brewery and WATR have teamed up to produce a 30th anniversary beer to celebrate 30 years since Rovers won the Premiership titlein 1994/95. Named ‘Uncle Jack’s Best Bitter (abv 4%) the beer will be on sale at the Black Bull on Brokenstone Road BB3 0LL along with a good number of free trade outlets in the area. The beer will be launched with much fanfare on September 17th. Watch oursocial media for updated information.
Mike Graham
Chair of ‘We Are The Rovers’ Supporters Trust
