Rovers and out

Matthew Stanger ruminates on what's gone wrong at Ewood Park since the Venky's pitched up.

If it's the hope that kills, Blackburn fans are guaranteed immortality under the ownership of Venky's. At Ewood Park on Monday, Rovers finally succumbed to their inevitable relegation, 12 months after surviving on the final day of last season. When the Indian owners paid £23million to buy the club in November 2010, Sam Allardyce had the team sitting comfortably in mid-table. It has been a rapid decline, filled with desperation, anger and disillusionment. In truth, it's been a nightmare. The real concern at the bottom of all this is that a proud 137-year-old institution can be bought at a whim and run into the ground so quickly. The few rule the many in football, and a family of three from Pune have caused such heartbreak and distress for thousands. Blackburn folk don't have a great deal other than their football club and now even that has been taken from them. Anuradha Desai, Venky's chief, admitted she hadn't watched a football match in her life before buying Rovers. How can she possibly comprehend the emotional turmoil that Venky's have overseen? Rovers' 15 minutes of infamy will soon come to an end. Next season fans across the country will occasionally pause to ponder, "I wonder if Steve Kean's still at Blackburn?" in the same way the Portsmouth question, "Are they still screwed?" crops up. The answer will, unfortunately, be in the affirmative. And it's this continuation of the downward spiral that really hurts and poses the biggest warning to other clubs. Blackburn supporters have never been blown away by Venky's. Despite claims of a bid for Ronaldinho - with Beckham to follow - the assertion that a paltry £5million-a-year investment would secure Champions League football was more attention-grabbing. The fans had seen the results of financial mismanagement at Portsmouth, and countless other clubs, and remained sceptical in the face of a blazing PR campaign. Of course, the doubts have been appropriate. In the space of just 18 months this founding member of the Football League, Premier League champion in 1995 and famously well-run club has been brought to its knees. Everyone who seemed to be worth a damn, from chairman John Williams to captain Ryan Nelsen, has left without suitable replacement. Williams is now employed by Manchester City, while Nelsen has made seven appearances for Spurs since his move in January. Why wasn't the defender playing at Blackburn when they so desperately needed him? The fans were never told, and it has been the same with Jason Roberts, Michel Salgado and Simon Vukcevic. If you're looking for a quiz partner, don't pick Venky's or Kean - they either don't know or won't give the answers. Matchdays at Ewood Park have become a thoroughly depressing experience. For a start the team have won only nine of 29 Premier League home games under Kean. And the fan protests, which are a symptom of horrendous performances and the disinterest of the regime, have led to a hateful atmosphere. The club's supporters have been the subject of much derision for their actions. Many on the outside have been quick to judge, blaming the boos and banners for the team's plight. But let's be clear about this - Blackburn were dropping like a stone before so much as a grumble. This isn't to say that the fans haven't crossed the line at times. There has been plenty of ungracious abuse towards the manager, which has done nothing to aid the cause on the pitch. But although the protests have appeared wild and vitriolic, ultimately it's futility that defines them. Indeed, Venky's have barely spoken a word since Blackburn lost 2-1 at home to Bolton on December 20 to plummet to the bottom of the Premier League. The relationship between their involvement and the fans' calls for action has been one of inverse proportion, culminating in the owners' absence as relegation was confirmed against Wigan. Blackburn fans are not the first to find themselves in this predicament, and they won't be the last. With Venky's the good times never arrived, but Portsmouth supporters can testify to success on the pitch hiding frightening problems behind the scenes. When we're relying on a toothless fit and proper persons test as the only defence to irresponsible owners, then clearly something is wrong with the way things are done. This article first appeared on Football365.