Blackburn Naan the Wiser - Daily Mirror

It all started with a Russian oligarch, and now it’s every billionaire’s toy, it is a Premier League football club. Blackburn Rovers were the latest victims to be ‘bought out’ by foreign owners. Venky’s Ltd are an Indian company who have made their money in poultry processing and now feel the time is right to invest in a team from a Lancashire mill town. Barring significant levels of migration from the sub-continent, Blackburn has little in common with these rich guys.

How will these owners benefit the hardened fan on the terraces of Ewood Park then? It’s more than likely that a new foreign manager could replace ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce to instil a continental footballing philosophy in Lancashire. And with it he brings an array of overpaid ‘stars’ that are only there for the pay and have no affinity for the club. This would result in an increase in season ticket prices, which fans could barely afford. The average wage for some parts of Blackburn is £20,000 per annum, the sort of money that a reserve might pick up per week!

Blackburn Rovers are not the most attractive football club in their county, never mind the world! Sure, they may expand their fan base, but in a results-based industry, if a couple of seasons pass without silverware who’s to say these ‘Johnny come lately’s’ won’t pack up and find someone else’s club or livelihood to mess with?

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