5:10pm Saturday 4th September 2010
By Andy Cryer
WHEN the transfer window slammed shut with Blackburn Rovers having spent nothing, the frustration, anger and disappointment was clear for all to see among even the most loyal supporters.
All the inevitable questions were raised. Where has our money gone? Why can the likes of Stoke, Wolves and even Blackpool spend more than us? Why aren’t the board backing Sam Allardyce?
All fair enough questions as well at first glance but once the situation is looked at a little bit more closely, most will realise the blame game is being played in the wrong places.
Rovers’ board have attracted huge criticism from some quarters of their support as the frustrations of seeing the club again bottom of the Premier League spending increasi-ngly spill out.
You can see why too. The club have spent less than half of the £30million raised in transfer fees over the past two seasons and have had to sit and watch their rivals spend big this summer while they are left relying on free transfers and loanees.
It certainly doesn’t seem fair, or right, but it is all too easy to point the finger of blame at chairman John Williams and his board, when they should in fact be being applauded for maintaining the club’s Premier League status in almost impossible circumstances.
The key fact of the matter is that Blackburn Rovers are in the unique Premier League position of receiving absolutely no investment from their owners.
I’m not criticising the Walker Trust, because after all that is their prerogative, but how long the club can continue to produce miracles without new cash injection is questionable.
Even Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was surprised when I mentioned Rovers were completely self-sufficient now during a recent interview. His raised eye brows seemed to say it all about the current task on Rovers’ hands.
The big problem is where the revenue is coming from and, while their wage bill is around mid table, the ratio of wages to turnover sees them alarmingly at the top of the division at more than 80 per cent.
Basically, Blackburn Rovers need new investment and they need it soon. While there seems to be no immediate threat of relegation, it seems almost inevitable the danger will increase the longer they continue as they are.
John Williams, Sam Allardyce, Rovers’ youth set-up and their network of scouts are just a few people who deserve huge credit for ensuring Rovers continue to overcome the financial odds, but it can’t go on forever.
There will come a time when all their prized assets have been sold, no more bargains can be found and the youth conveyor belt has stopped. What next?
At the moment there is no extra investment to finance more signings. Even this season Allardyce’s squad is strong but the rest of their Premier League rivals are catching up.
Why should Rovers finish above the likes of Stoke, Birmingham, Wolves, Wigan and West Ham? After all these are clubs who have been able to spend big this summer to strengthen their squad.
John Williams is fully aware of this as well, as is everyone at the club. There have been promising signs behind the scenes with regards a possible takeover and the sooner it happens the better.
Blackburn Rovers is a great club with a fine tradition. It is well run and sticks to the family values that have made it popular with then majority that have crossed its path.
All it needs is a little helping hand to help it on its way. We aren’t talking about stupid money but just someone who can provide consistent funding to help them compete with the rest. Let’s hope Ahsan Ali Syed, Saurin Shah or anyone else looking at the club is the answer.
With that the future looks bright, without it – well let’s just say the achievements of the club over the past few years could be put into an even starker perspective.
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