Blackburn Rovers assure fans over potential investors

8:33am Monday 6th September 2010

By Andy Cryer

Blackburn Rovers have assured fans they will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to safeguard the club’s future.

BBC Radio’s ‘5 live Investigates’ made new claims about Indian bidder Ahsan Ali Syed last night.

Ali Syed, head of Bahrain-based Western Gulf Advisory (WGA), has promised Rovers a £300million investment should his bid to buy the club from the Walker Trust succeed and is currently in the process of exploring the club’s finances.

WGA last night declined to comment on the BBC’s allegations and whether or not it would affect their efforts to seize control of the Ewood Park outfit.

It was also revealed last week Ali Syed’s WGA firm had been suspended from trading as the Bahrain authorities carried out their own investigations into their ‘source of funding’.

However, his representatives insisted it would not impact on the Blackburn Rovers takeover because it was a separate entity from the company buying Rovers.

While Ali Syed’s own checks on the club continue, the Lancashire Telegraph understands Blackburn Rovers are currently undergoing their own due diligence on the potential buyers, as they would with any suitor.

These would involve checking their financial situation as well motives for wanting to buy the club as they continue their efforts to make sure the club attract the ‘right owners’.

Ali Syed would also need to pass the Premier League’s stringent ‘fit and proper’ test before being allowed to buy the club.

However, we understand league officials are very confident in Rovers’ own ability to make sure any candidates are suitable owners.

A Rovers spokesman said: "The club has been for sale for some time and, for it to remain competitive in one of the world’s toughest sporting competitions, we accept that new investment is required.

“Equally, the trustees of the late Jack Walker, who are being professionally advised, and the club’s board of directors are acutely aware of the responsibility involved in passing the club to a new owner.

“We are custodians of a club with a proud heritage dating back to 1875 - a founder member of the Football League.”

Meanwhile the Lancashire Telegraph understand there remains significant interest in the club from other parties, with Mumbai businessman Saurin Shah just one potential buyer.

Shah’s group is understood to have been just one of at least two parties who have been in talks with Rovers representatives over the past fortnight as their efforts to sell the club remain ongoing.