Blackburn's new owners are ready to change the name of the club's Ewood Park home.
New Blackburn owners open to stadium change
Blackburn's new owners are ready to change the name of the club's Ewood Park home.
Venky's completed their multi-million pound takeover of the Premier League outfit on Friday and are already making plans for the future.
And in a move which could concern sections of the Rovers faithful, renaming the club's home for the past 120 years is one option on the agenda.
"We need to improve the brand Blackburn Rovers. The management thus far has done a good job but has not been proactive enough. We are looking to change that," Venky's chairperson Anuradha Desai told the
Indian Express.
"Arsenal named their stadium 'The Emirates' after their main sponsors. Our stadium could be called the Venky's Stadium or could adopt the name of another sponsor.
"We are looking to spread the name of Blackburn Rovers wherever we can. India is our major target."
Striker
Desai confirmed that manager Sam Allardyce's search for a striker would be aided in the January transfer window, but hinted that spending could be limited.
"Money will not be the driving force that pushes this club up the table. We have the resources but are not using them to their potential," she added.
"Now that we have given the club a solid support, you will see the change taking place in a couple of months. Having said that, we are in the market for a striker."
Closer ties with India are also on the cards with pre-season friendlies on the sub-continent a possibility.
"We will take a look at their calendar and when it is convenient for them we will arrange exhibition matches in India," Desai said.
"We are also looking to start workshops where we fly down coaches of the Blackburn Academy and arrange training sessions for kids in India."
Pitch
Blackburn later said there were currently no plans for their stadium to be renamed, as their new owners were introduced the club's fans before the Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
The poultry giant's directors Venkatesh and Balaji Rao came onto the pitch at Ewood Park on Sunday to greet the home supporters.
They received cheers and warm applause before taking their seats to watch the match.
Venky's, a brand nickname for the Venkateshwara Hatcheries group, have also taken on Blackburn's debts, putting the overall value of the deal at £43million.
