A takeover is essential for Blackburn Rovers Football Club. There is no bigger issue than the key factor which could map out the next 10-20 years of the club's existence.
Jack Walker's takeover in January 1991 built the platform for the following nine years and to a lesser extent the last nine. The next takeover could well mean the same in terms of longevity.
Supporters are aware that the club is for sale. In 2007 the club appointed a corporate adviser (Rothschilds) to oversee the general aspects of a sale and to seek potential buyers for the club.
A move that should have transpired four years earlier following the brief link to billionaire Alexander Mamut. The advisor's appointment sparked interest from an organisation fronted by BRFC supporter Daniel Williams.
Other stories of note have taken place since then but unlike the Williams bid which recieved serious local coverage quickly fizzled out.
Although supporters are aware of takeover prospects many fans treat the subject as an unwanted afterthought. From a personal standpoint this has led to me being banned from the BRFCS supporters website (twice) due to my takeover obsession.
Am I obsessed? Yes and why shouldn't I be?
Every BRFC supporter should be obsessed to the same extent. It appears that many fans don't realise just how important a takeover is.
Last season Portsmouth were in a similar position to BRFC fighting against relegation. Ultimately both clubs survived.
Since securing their Premier League future Portsmouth has been the recipient of a takeover formalities permitting. Though it isn't clear what type of budget will be at their disposal it is likely to be greater than the financial scenario at Ewood.
Portsmouth insisted they were close to a deal in the weeks leading up to Fahim's announcement that he was set to purchase the club. In that case it bemuses me slightly that they decided to sign free agent Aaron Mokoena. Then again considering Brian Kidd's association with the club judging talent probably isn't their forte.
Newcastle United are also on the market and although they won't be competing in the same league as BRFC next season seem to realise the importance of the issue. Though going so far as to advertise the club on it's official website may be going a little overboard. Newcastle fans however seem to treat the takeover on a scale in accordance with it's importance. Massive.
Not that Newcastle fans are the example to follow. Acting like the English equivalent of Barcelona or Real Madrid isn't the right mentality for Newcastle but neither is acting within the confines of a mindset normally restricted to league one supporters.
Many BRFC fans are guilty of the latter mentality based on how the club used to be prior to Jack Walker's purchase. There is a reason Jack Walker used the phrase "new Blackburn Rovers" as it was to demonstrate that the club has changed since the 70's and 80's.
Supporters of clubs like Aston Villa and Everton are perhaps of the right balance in mentality terms. BRFC fans don't mind criticising the supporters of other clubs but can't seem to recognise their own faults. I am one of the few prepared to do that when necessary.
Following Portsmouth's takeover (which is more or less completed) I recently reminded the club via e-mail just how vital a takeover is. Obviously this was somewhat out of frustration on my part as I am fully aware that from the owners standpoint a sale is probably top of the agenda.
Indeed it's probably their only agenda considering their total disinterest in overseeing all other aspects of the club. We have heard from the owners' spokesperson approximately once since 2001.
Though it is believed they stepped in to remove Paul Ince albeit to maintain sale possibilities which would have become greatly restricted in the event of relegation.
I've said before on various discussion boards and private exchanges that I wouldn't be satisfied until the whole world knows BRFC is for sale. I repeated this phrase recently and was informed that all the "major players" are aware of the situation.
If this is correct (and I see no reason why it wouldn't be) I wish the club would state so publicly. It reassures those fans (in regards to those who have questioned Rothschilds role) who are more concerned with a BRFC takeover than Accrington Stanley's financial situation.
Could you imagine Manchester City fans discussing Altrincham to any extent on one of their messageboards? The BRFC supporters site might as well be renamed Planet Parochial.
There haven't been any serious developments thus far this year. There was a rumour related to local businessmen which appeared to have some truth in it but they weren't considered serious bidders.
Another topic discussed on a related BRFC site regarded the energy drinks company Red Bull. A "rumour" if you could even consider it amounting to that which seemed based on BRFC's new away kit being similar to that of Red Bull Salzburg's home strip.
Some supporters have stated that their preference would be for the club to remain under the current ownership. They have posed the question over whether this would be better for the club in the long term.
Regardless of differentiating views on this there seems to be one fact that people forget. They don't want the club in the long term as couldn't be evidenced more clearly by the fact the club is for sale.
It dosen't matter whether people are pro takeover or anti takeover. The subject is of colossal importance and will happen if the right bidder comes along whether they like it or not.
In regards to recent news that the poverty stricken owners intend to slash the wage bill this isn't the most appealing news item I've ever read. After the warning last season you would think an increase (even a minor one it's not like they are bankrupt) would be defined as the direction to take.
The club might not struggle this upcoming season but the longer they remain in charge chances are the next warning may well bring disastrous effects. Their policy won't change as long as the board of directors refuse to stand up to them.
If the fans won't protest why should they?
One more day with them in charge is too long for me. I have no doubt that this club will be taken over.
This is a great football club (please note they would be buying the club not the town as some seem to think) and Jack Walker's legacy deserves only the best. This club needs an owner with the "think big" mentality Jack embodied. Not the "think small" mindset many BRFC supporters stand for at present.
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