Accy MP Graham Jones in the LT (Rovers Fan)

[ElectroClaret]

Bewailing Rovers plight and is "extremely disappointed" with the government's response
to a letter he wrote to sports minister Tracy Crouch, complaining about the ownership of the club.

Apparently, Crouch replied that the FA themselves had told her that the Venkys had
passed the "owners and directors" test. ( I'm presuming that that's what some refer to as
the fit and proper persons test, or other titles.)

The Venkys, of course, haven't done owt wrong, in the legal sense, they've just screwed up. Big time.
Which, in footie, isn't illegal. And, fortunately for us, as stated, they're totally legit.

There's quite a few boarded up shops in Accy he could be concentrating on getting up and running,
if possible, rather than this crap.

Expect that two hat Jolly Jack Straw to put his twopennorth in before the days out.
UTC.

[50 shades of Grey]

They all really remind me of the classic Oliver Twist 'please Sir, I want some more' begging bowl routine.

Can they just not understand - there is no more uncle jack/ there are no more millions/ there is nobody else to fund them/ bail them out/ they are back to where they always were, etc. etc.

Its fun kin hilarious.

When did they last beat us ? Nope, I cant remember either.

UTC

[dsr]

He's an MP, and he's complaining that someone should have banned Venky's from owning Blackburn because they should have known they would be incompetent? The fit and proper test can't do any more than protect clubs from convicted criminals. There's no way under English law that people can be banned by the FA from buying football shares just because the FA suspects they might not be very good at being an owner.

[claretdom]

Anyone remember a different MP at the time of the takeover dodgy Jack Straw, how the Venkys will be amazing for both the club and the town.

[ClaretTony]

Apparently, Crouch replied that the FA themselves had told her that the Venkys had
passed the "owners and directors" test. ( I'm presuming that that's what some refer to as
the fit and proper persons test, or other titles.)

It's the same - it used to be called the fit and proper persons test but the name was changed to the owners and directors test.

[Sproggy]

http://lancastria.net/blog/jack-straw-a ... eover.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[randomclaret2]

Whatever happened to Straw....I assume he still attends matches, being a life long fanatical fan.

[claretdom]

Probably watching Cheech n Chong on dvd with his son

[tybfc]

It's changing next month to the relegation test.

[NottsClaret]

I worked with Graham Jones briefly, many years ago. Other than being a bit useless at a fairly simple job, I can confirm he was one of the classic 90s/00s Blackburn fans who thought their rightful stage was the Champions League and relished being smug and obnoxious about our struggles at the time.

No sympathy at all, bring on relegation, bring on liquidation. He can get his face in the paper on the joyous day the padlock goes on the gates at Ewood for the final time.

No Nay Never.

[Paul Waine]

Bewailing Rovers plight and is "extremely disappointed" with the government's response
to a letter he wrote to sports minister Tracy Crouch, complaining about the ownership of the club.

Apparently, Crouch replied that the FA themselves had told her that the Venkys had
passed the "owners and directors" test. ( I'm presuming that that's what some refer to as
the fit and proper persons test, or other titles.)

The Venkys, of course, haven't done owt wrong, in the legal sense, they've just screwed up. Big time.
Which, in footie, isn't illegal. And, fortunately for us, as stated, they're totally legit.

There's quite a few boarded up shops in Accy he could be concentrating on getting up and running,
if possible, rather than this crap.

Expect that two hat Jolly Jack Straw to put his twopennorth in before the days out.
UTC.

I'm thinking Tracy Crouch's reply should have been "We note your concern about Blackburn Rovers, Graham. But we also note that you've got an excellent Premier League team in Burnley, and it's good to see that Accrington Stanley are "on fire" as the posters on Up The Clarets have recorded."

[Paul Waine]

He's an MP, and he's complaining that someone should have banned Venky's from owning Blackburn because they should have known they would be incompetent? The fit and proper test can't do any more than protect clubs from convicted criminals. There's no way under English law that people can be banned by the FA from buying football shares just because the FA suspects they might not be very good at being an owner.

Hi dsr, is that right that the "fit and proper test" is designed to protect clubs from convicted criminals. Aren't there some club owners that have got convictions for financial crimes?

[Sidney1st]

Hi dsr, is that right that the "fit and proper test" is designed to protect clubs from convicted criminals. Aren't there some club owners that have got convictions for financial crimes?

Leeds, but they deserve it so we don't mention it too often.

[Sutton-Claret]

The only thing I worry about is that Rovers demise will happen too quickly - The longer it goes on the more enjoyment we'll get. A bit like buying a pint in a quiet pub and savouring each mouthful whilst reading a copy of a reputable newspaper.... as opposed to downing it in a sticky floored nightclub surrounded by chavs and horse botherers.

[Foulthrow]

I think his constituents should wonder why he is concerned about something that is not in his constituency. It doesn't strike me as quite right to use your power and influence as a Member of Parliament to try to change something for your own benefit. I'm sure he would argue that many businesses and many of his constituents may be affected by BRFC's decline - but still....

[ThinLizzy]

AN MP moaning about financial indiscrepancies while they claim a massive pay rise. Who'd have thought it?!

[dsr]

Hi dsr, is that right that the "fit and proper test" is designed to protect clubs from convicted criminals. Aren't there some club owners that have got convictions for financial crimes?

There must be a proportionality test. Presumably the Brinks Mat robbers are banned for life, but someone who shoplifted fifty years ago isn't.

But the principle the FA has to run on is that the prospective owner is provably unfit. This means a criminal conviction, or censure by the Board of Trade (or whatever they call themselves now), or being banned as a director by an official body - not necessarily a UK one. But if the FA started disqualifying people on the grounds that they didn't like or trust them, without third party reliable evidence behind them, they'd be opening themselves up to lawsuits from very rich people.

It's all totally irrelevant to Blackburn - there was no reason to believe that the Venky's wouldn't be very good owners of Blackburn Rovers. (As, indeed, they are. )

[BleedingClaret]

More incredible is the fact that without the Venkys money they'd be goosed, no pun intended but I'll take it.
If they had someone or ones with good intentions but no brass they'd more than likely be worse off now.
Live with it B@astards it's part of football and you're very lucky that Venkys are dumb enough to bankroll your fall from grace

[tybfc]

I speak to Graham Jones on a regular basis and then get stropped at by the wife for taking the p*** as I sympathise with him as to the state of Blackburn's demise.

I gave him a chicken leg a couple of weeks ago in a bag with a photo of the Venky's on the front and he didn't seem to find the funny side of it.

[fatboy47]

As far as I'm concerned Blackburn's owners are as "fit and proper" as anyone could possibly be.

[RocketLawnChair]

When somebody or something lives way beyond its means the chickens will eventually come home to roost.

******* Rovers (because of Jack Walker) have behaved like somebody who fails to make provisions for later life. Spend Spend Spend borrow borrow borrow way beyond their needs, become accustomed to that lifestyle, then all of a sudden when its time to live off a state pension you're ******.

[Chobulous]

Anybody of a certain age will remember Viv Nicholson

[Tinribs]

I think his constituents should wonder why he is concerned about something that is not in his constituency. It doesn't strike me as quite right to use your power and influence as a Member of Parliament to try to change something for your own benefit. I'm sure he would argue that many businesses and many of his constituents may be affected by BRFC's decline - but still....

Correct.I live in Accrington and the town is shambles,concentrate on what you are paid for Jones.hope this is the last time we have this numpty as our M.P

[Tinribs]

I think his constituents should wonder why he is concerned about something that is not in his constituency. It doesn't strike me as quite right to use your power and influence as a Member of Parliament to try to change something for your own benefit. I'm sure he would argue that many businesses and many of his constituents may be affected by BRFC's decline - but still....

Correct.I live in Accrington and the town is shambles,concentrate on what you are paid for Jones.hope this is the last time we have this numpty as our M.P

[Silkyskills1]

'Napoleon correctly described us as ' the workshop of the world'

No he didn't. He referred to Britain as 'a nation of shopkeepers'. Not like Straw to make things up!

[Colburn_Claret]

It's obvious why Rovers fans are disappointed with the Venkys, but I can't understand the shouts of thieves or charlatans ( I know bastards wouldn't use the word charlatan), but all they are really guilty of is putting their faith in the wrong people. They must have spunked a fortune at them and still can't plug the gap, yet do they deserve some of the vitriol thrown in their direction. I don't think so.

Not only bastards but ungrateful bastards.

[Clarets4me]

It's the same - it used to be called the fit and proper persons test but the name was changed to the owners and directors test.

Can we write to Graham Jones MP, and ask if Jeremy Corbyn has passed a " fit and proper person " test to lead the Labour party ?

[Top Claret]

Gave Jones a mouthful when he knocked on my door at the last election. Told him to sling his hook and he was not to happy. I knew he was a ******* but a labour Rovers ******* is even worse.