PR 101 for Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers have become a classic example of what not to do as a football club and will certainly help in creating a case study or two. Venky’s have showcased clear ineptitude in the handling of a premier football club, but it is not entirely their fault. Paul Hunt’s being cast as the victim and that really is just one side of the picture. A club that is losing its face along with most of its fans, what are Rovers to do now? Here are some tips which should help set the ball rolling in what is going to be a long road to recovery.

Admit

Basic courtesy dictates the admission of fault and a sincere effort to stand up and take the blame. Finger-pointing will not help as Venky’s have already been adjudged guilty, though still pending trial. They will have to show their faces in public and issue a statement, saying things did go wrong and erroneous decisions were taken.

Clarify

With the number of stories doing the rounds, this will a tough step to action. Again, coming out of hiding is imperative so that the average fan, Blackburn or otherwise, knows what really happened as the general public is usually blissfully unaware of the merciless boardrooms.

Be Proactive

Maybe too late for this, but the firm has to ensure that they foresee the sequence of events so that they can cut short any possible crises. With the leak of former deputy CEO’s 2500 word letter, the best step would have been to acknowledge the error and not sack Paul Hunt in a rash knee-jerk reaction. Venky’s money may be enough, but that doesn’t compensate for the lack of a decent competent squad.

Act

Use the letter as a stepping stone, as it does make quite a lot of sense. It has to be ensured that any communication is approved through the proper channels. Also, they need to attend as many games as possible in the Championship so as to comfort the regular fan  and give them the feeling that they have remote access to the owner. Initially, the inevitable brickbats will commence, but those should give way to better behaviour once the club gets back up on its feet.

Invest

This means more than just money or the occasional visit. This means actual interest in a win over a rival and empathy for a fellow supporter. If this goes the right way, Venky’s could win back the love of their fans and start afresh. Everyone deserves a second chance and Venky’s do too, although they have been relegated.

Listen

Everyone is not out to get you or cause harm. Feedback has to be incorporated in to the system to augment the process of making Blackburn a better club. The dismissal of Steve Kean may or may not have worked, but putting your eggs (pardon the pun) in one basket will always hurt.

The aforementioned steps aren’t quick fire methods to glory, but are slow and painful avenues of building a solid foundation. Reaching out is now a must. Clear, thought out and tested steps have to taken to instill faith and hope in Blackburn supporters, and more importantly, in themselves.