Q&A with Blackburn Rovers chairman (From This Is Lancashire)

Q&A with Blackburn Rovers chairman

6:10pm Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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FOLLOWING the close of the summer transfer window, the Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams has spoken at length to us about the club’s dealings and his thoughts for the season ahead.

A lot of the good work carried out by the club this summer seems to have been ignored. Are you happy with what has been done this summer?

For the first time in a while we were able to state with some confidence that we didn’t have to sell.

And we haven’t despite some very real interest (for more than one player) which has been firmly resisted.

Back in January when we sold Benni for £2m we looked at an immediate replacement – Sam was keen to get Benjani but Sunderland stepped in, so we decided to go with Franco, Niko and Jason.

It worked for us. We had a good second half, seeing a 10th place finish.

With Franco returning to Chelsea and effectively down to two strikers, our summer focus was to bring one, preferably two in.

We have achieved this with Mame Diouf and Benjani. Our four strikers give a good balance of playing options, age and experience.

We still had a balance of Benni’s fee available (less Mame Diouf’s loan fee) although phasing is an issue.

Over a month ago we made a bid for a Premier League striker who we were told was available but he was withdrawn from the market.

Subsequently we made bids in Sweden and Bulgaria but initially in both instances valuations were greater than ours.

They were different types of players, both for the future, and on balance Sam opted for the experience of Benjani, following extensive ‘testing’ at Brockhall.

People have asked if the possible takeover of the club has affected our thinking.

No, not really, we can only operate within current finances.

To gamble now with a bigger name would be irresponsible until we knew for sure the money was there.

So going back to our overall plan to replace Benni and Franco, we’ve done it. It’s Mame for Franco and Benji for Benni.

Our other priority was to re-contract Morten – Sam has spoken often on this. It was a very significant re-signing for us.

There have been new and extended contracts for Phil Jones, Martin Olsson, Steven Nzonzi and Grant Hanley.

Last summer we took in 10 new players.

Too many and it took time to bed in. Perhaps if we had taken five last year and five this year some fans would be happier.

That said, the last day of the window was disappointing.

On the positive side we were able to move some players on.

This was important providing wage savings to offset the cost of new contracts to Olsson, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Jones and Hanley.

However, we were expecting a bid for Jason Roberts. We were confident he would be fit and ready to fight for his place if he was still with us, but deep down I think we wanted a move.

The problem was we couldn’t let him go without a replacement.

Four strikers are needed. We covered our position with Ivelin Popov ready to come to Rovers.

His club knew the deal was dependent on Jason leaving but in the end no bid came.

Five strikers was never going to be an option, nor was letting Jason leave on a free.

You have talked in the past about the need to reduce the wage bill. Have you had any success?

It’s widely reported that our 2009 figure was circa 90 per cent of turnover.

The year end June 2010 will show this has fallen to 82 per cent and we are forecasting for the current year a further, albeit small, drop to 79 per cent.

While this represents progress from the business perspective, on the field we are falling down the wages league.

It is the classic dilemma I have so often talked about.

For us it’s a turnover, not wages issue.

At current levels we have a break-ven model at operating level.

This is important not only for financial well-being but with an eye on the proposed UEFA financial fair play.

You have some of the best youngsters in the Premier League on your books and committed for the long term. Are there plans to cash in on their talents or do you hope the club’s future can be built around them?

You never want to sell your best players.

Sadly we’ve had to in recent years but still managed not only to stay in the Premier League but do well.

We’ve been busy on the contract front to secure key youngsters on long playing careers at Ewood.

If not, then to secure asset values to help keep the club in good financial health.

Blackburn Rovers finished above budget in 10th last season. Are you expecting more this season? What position has been budgeted for?

Our squad is stronger than last year. Continuity and development of the youngsters underpins that.

The problem is what are the others doing? If we don’t get too many injuries we will look for a top half finish.

Let’s get to 40 as quickly as possible and push on from there.

Are you happy with the amount of season tickets sold? What is the figure now and is that better or worse than last season?

Yes we are happy. Given the depth of the recession we have done well to come close to last year’s excellent number.

The slight downscale c500 has been balanced by a small 5% increase in price.

Our fan base is very loyal. We don’t over-promise and they know how tight funds are.

But they still like to win, and we delivered on that score last season (3 defeats at home!) In Blackburn the key has to be a combination of value and affordability.

There is always room for improvement but I believe we have the balance just about right.

Sam Allardyce has been reported to have offered his resignation due to lack of funds this summer. Is there any truth in this or is it more just false rumours?

Sam certainly did not offer his resignation. As you say a false rumour.

I believe there was real interest from a club in the Middle East, but nothing materialised I’m pleased to say.

How hard is it for a Premier League chairman to read countless rumours about the club every day – even if some have very little or no truth to them. It must make your job harder?

These rumours are something we have to live with.

It’s part of the game and in a somewhat masochistic way they are entertaining and keep fans engaged.

What is annoying and often divisive is when opinion is offered as fact.

This is all too common, especially on messageboards.

Does it make the job harder? I suppose so.

We try to do our business in a business-like manner and ‘in private’ but it would be hypocritical to suggest there aren’t occasions when we use the media to our advantage.

Will there be funds available when the window reopens in January if there has been no takeover of the club?

If there is no takeover we are sitting on a small balance and we shall try and help the manager if we can.

But there are constant demands on the money.

Improvements at Ewood, Brockhall (undersoil heating and UV lighting rigs to name two) to consider.

If we have a change of ownership, who knows?

Can you comment on the takeover position?

I’m sure you appreciate that I can’t say anything. We are all bound by confidentiality agreements and rightly so.

I have argued in successive annual reports to Shareholders that to move forward, perhaps even to stand still, we need new investment.

We are enjoying a long and sustained period of success relative to our resources, the envy of many, but we can’t rely on over-performance forever.

Personally I wanted to preserve Jack’s legacy and 10 years on I think that’s been achieved.

If we are to go forward into a new era of achieving success on and off the field it would be marvellous.

In the meantime we have to ensure we have a stable club.