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| Time to defend ordinary people protesting peacefully |
Blackburn Rovers are in a crises, both on and off the pitch. Absent owners and an absence of credible management on the pitch. Stuck in the middle a large employer with a dedicated staff trying to make a silks purse from of sows ear.
The importance of Blackburn Rovers and the value of an EPL franchise cannot be understated. Blackburn as a place is projected every week to a worldwide global audience of billions. It gives people in the area a greater sense of place, of pride.
Much of the problems that are affecting the club can be read elsewhere. Tonight's protest, a silent protest was about recognition of the above facts. Recognition that the people of the area care about the club and it's longevity.
Jerome Anderson set the tone for tonight with his ill-informed and somewhat confrontational comments about 'dark forces' and a suggestion that the fans involved in the protests were not real Blackburn Rovers fans. One can only guess he meant the EDL?
This attack on supporters was compounded by Steve Kean's comments that he is not safe amongst fans. What message does this send out? As a representative of the area Kean is wrong. Wrong to denigrate fans and the area and wrong in the fact that he has had three opportunities to meet a select group of fans and has reneged 3 times.
It's clear from fans there whilst they want changes, and I do too, more than anything they want dialogue.
This is taking it way beyond football. For a those so influential at the club, Kean and Anderson, and allegedly with the ear of the owners it was shocking but telling that the club did not seek to offer a rebuttal to Anderson's or Kean's false and malicious claims. How much further through the mud do Blackburn Rovers have to dragged as what can only be described as two desperado's continue to spew negativity.
The silent protest tonight embodied these shared and genuine concerns. I can only say that whilst I was there, from 5 till 9, it was friendly, peaceful and well attended. Around 60-90 fans there, many more if you count those coming and going. Families, women, disabled and yes Mr Anderson for you to note, asian fans too.
The good natured protest respected those living nearby and the organisers concerns for the well ring of all was impressive. The evening was summed up by one generous Rovers fan whom brought a large pan of loose potato pie, enough to feed 50 - for free with knives, forks and plates. It is not often you see such community spirit. With temperatures dropping the hardy bunch took up the offer.
A safety issue Kean ha said. A view now perpetuated by his agent Anderson. Tonight proved that assumption wrong. It was never true but part of the clever mind games Steve Kean has been playing from when. If I was to guess I'd suggest from the moment Anderson found buyers for the club given Anderson's glowing assessment of the novice manager back then.
The situation now is one of crises above and beyond events on the pitch and I thought it was time to speak out.
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