Newsletter - October 2024
Notes on our MoU, ‘Uncle Jack’s Best Bitter’ Launch, Meeting with the Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain and Heritage
September 30, 2024
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The meeting was conducted in an open constructive fashion and the engagement from Club representatives was excellent, showcasing the strong ties and more importantly levels of respect between the WATR Supporters Trust and Club.
These are the agreed notes from our meeting with the Club. The Club attendees were Steve Waggott, Suhail Shaikh, Yasir Sufi and Lynsey Talbot.
The meeting commenced with WATR expressing support for the backroom playing side appointments, especially Rudy Gestede and John Park and their role with some astute signings in the recent transfer window. We were advised the aim with recruitment and existing players is to have two players challenging for each position with an emerging talent also providing competition. Given all the staff changes and movements across the Club WATR asked for a copy of the staff organisational chart; this would be supplied however WATR recognised the need to follow protocol of going through recognised senior contacts rather than contacting staff directly. WATR also reiterated they were happy to support staff inductions with a session on the history of the Club and the importance of the Club to our community; this could be delivered face-to-face or pre-recorded.
SS and SW stated the Owners can remit monies. The next Court hearing is in November and the Owners are taking the case to try and remove the hurdle of having to make a bank guarantee equal to monies transferred to the Club.
They also stated that if the Head Coach needed investment in the January transfer window he would be supported although they could not see the January window being as active as the recent transfer window given the talent recently recruited.
WATR also raised the issue of ground improvements. The Club have a rolling programme of work, and this includes improvements to the stadium PA system; this has been tested and meets emergency requirements.
WATR stated their support for Safe Standing at Ewood Park; the Chair of WATR had originally raised this via the Fans Forum. Safe Standing would be attractive to younger fans and should help to improve the atmosphere as well as dealing with safety concerns such as persistent standing in certain areas of the ground.
The Club are now consulting with other clubs as it appears there are more alternatives available following our initial work. The Club are keen to move the safe standing project forward in continued consultation with supporters and the Safety Advisory Group, but this is subject to cost and having a time window to allow safe standing to be fitted.
In response to questions from WATR the Club stated that the levels of digital sales at Ewood Park lag behind many others. It was an inevitable route to be taken as it allows Rovers to better market tickets and other products and offers; there is also a cost saving element which is important in terms of overall budgets. The Premier League clubs have all voted to make digital ticketing mandatory by the 2026/27 season and all PL clubs will have to abide by this. WATR asked the Club to ensure that the move towards digital is well communicated and any supporters requiring assistance will have staff support; the Club positively responded.
WATR stated they have agreed to sponsor one of the Women’s team players and would also be organising a ‘fans takeover’ of a game to encourage support. The Club said they were committed to financially supporting the Women’s team but there are financial challenges until the new funding model for women’s football is in place next 25/26 season. There will be a continued considerable level of support once again this season.
The Club are presently finalising their new communications strategy, this includes the digital strategy. SW would share the final draft with WATR when completed. This was welcomed.
WATR also asked how our request for direct dialogue with the Owners was progressing. The owners had been keen to meet, at WATR’s suggestion, in Imphal in Manipur State to lay a wreath at the grave side of a former Rovers player killed in WW2 but the security situation in that state was such that it is not safe to do so. SS stated that he was hopeful of an initial video conference with the owners, WATR offered to make a presentation on ‘fan takeovers’ and the subsequent EFL Fan Engagement Award.
Initial planning is underway. WATR would be invited to a meeting of the planning committee. This was welcomed.
Steve Williams the WATR Heritage Lead explained what WATR are planning and asked the Club to publicise this which was agreed. The first event is a ‘Rovers in Uniform’ Remembrance Day event at Blackburn Library on 11th November at 2pm. The second is a war graves visit to Belgium and France in June 2025 to visit the graves of Rovers players who were casualties in WW1 and WW2. Granada TV have already shown interest in covering this.
The Club agreed to work with WATR on a roadshow of smaller supporters group meetings over the coming months and within other essential club commitments with the aim of it leading to a larger combined meeting of supporters groups at an appropriate time during the second half of the season. WATR made the point that the culture of the Club must be to treat us as supporters not customers albeit recognising the Club is a business as well as a community asset; the Club must ask themselves question “what do supporters want’.
WATR said they would be putting proposals to the Club for a future fan event to help increase the atmosphere at Ewood, to increase attendance and fan engagement. The Club welcomed this.
WATR approached the excellent Three B’s Brewery based at the back of the Black Bull on Brokenstone Rd in Tockholes, Darwen with a proposal to brew a special beer.
Our approach was warmly welcomed by the brewery owners the Bell family. Uncle Jack’s Best Bitter was launched with great acclaim on the evening of 17th September with Premier League title winning players Kevin Gallacher and Mark Atkins pulling the first pint along with Howard Walker (Jack’s son) and Mike Graham, Chair of WATR.
The beer is now available in many free houses and clubs in Blackburn, Darwen and the surrounding area. 500 special edition numbered bottles were also produced as collectors items.
Watch this space for the next beer collaboration…...a 150th Anniversary Celebration ale will be on the hand pumps in mid 2025.
Following a request by WATR we held a meeting with the newly elected Blackburn MP on 20th September. Mike Graham and Duncan Miller represented WATR.
WATR explained: the background to why our Supporters Trust was formed; our work with the Club, especially when it comes to building support; our aims; and of course the importance of Blackburn Rovers to our local community and economy.
Mr Hussain explained he had attended the recent home game against Bristol City and had enjoyed the game. He was keen to show his support and to attend future games with the opportunity to engage face-to-face with supporters. Mr Hussain recognised that Rovers are an excellent vehicle to promote community cohesion and bring fans together of different backgrounds and cultures.
WATR gave Mr Hussain a written and verbal briefing on the Football Governance Bill and urged the MP to give his full support for the legislation and vote for the Bill.
Our WATR heritage lead, local historian and author Steve Williams has been researching men who played or were associated with the Rovers and who served in uniform in WW1, WW2 and doing National Service up to 1960.
Entitled ‘Rovers in Uniform’, the project will encompass a book and a memorial at Ewood Park. If any member can help with information about Rovers players in uniform, then do get in touch.
As part of our fan engagement, Steve (who is an accomplished Speaker) is giving an illustrated talk ‘Rovers in Uniform’ at Blackburn Library on Remembrance Day, Monday 11th November at 2.00 p.m.; admission is free.
A First World War enthusiast, Steve organised and led fifteen bespoke battlefield trips to France and Belgium prior to Brexit and COVID. He is looking to run a coach trip next year under our brand with the six day, five nights trip leaving Blackburn on Saturday, 20th June 2025 having a Rovers and football theme throughout, it will visit the WW1 Somme battlefield in northern France, visit the grave of a Rovers WW2 casualty buried at Lille and then spend time around the WW1 Ypres Salient in Belgium where one of the most famous Rovers players, England international Eddie Latheron, is buried. For those not in the Blackburn area, there may be pick-ups down the M6, M1 and M25, enroute to Dover.
To register your interest or contact Steve, please e-mail him at heritage@roverstrust.co.uk
