News

Head of Venkys gives first interview

|
Image for Head of Venkys gives first interview

Blackburn Rovers` prospective new owner has this morning declared that she wants a nation full of Blackburn Rovers fans in India and the club to aim for the top 4.

Anuradha Desai is one of the clubs potential new head honcho and she gave her first full interview this morning in his first proper state of address.

Murmurs of discontent appeared yesterday amongst the fans of Blackburn Rovers after several rumours and figures were quoted in connection with the VH Group, but the soon to be new lady of Blackburn Rovers spoke to remove any negative feelings about the takeover.

The key things she stressed was the club would be in a safe pair of hands and that Jack Walkers fine work would continue.

Mrs Desai did confirm that an initial £5million would be made available to buy players in January.

Much more was promised however for the summer to ensure that Rovers future would be to battle at the business end of the English Premier League.

The main plan is to turn Lancashire finest into the Indian football team of choice.

Mrs Desai, who is head of VH and Venkys, spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph and said – ‘There is a new generation of boys aged between 10 and 17 in India that are football mad but lots of them support Chelsea.

“I believe that at this time we can make the market for football in India grow. Having Indian owners in the Premier League will create a lot of interest here and I think we can try to create a whole nation of Blackburn Rovers fans.

“The takeover has made the front pages of all of the newspapers here. That shows the interest that is there.

“My dream is to make Blackburn Rovers an even bigger brand in India than Venky`s.”

When asked about transfer funds, Mrs Desai explained – ‘Initially there will be £5million put in, straightaway, to buy players but of course if we have to do more then we will.

“There will then be much more investment and we have devised a spending strategy already for the next three years that will see the manager given significant funds to buy players.

“I am not promising that we will be a top four team but I can promise that we will try and that is what we will aim for.

“We are committed to improving the performance of the team and when the situation is right there will be investment.’

Yesterday, the Economic Times of India was quick to cap the transfer budget at a rather modest £5 million but the soon to be new owner has confirmed that there will be much more than that available… but still aims to run the club prudently.

But Mrs Desai clarified the matter by saying – ‘There will be much much more than £5million and we want the fans to know that.

“We are trying to complete the deal as fast as possible because we are very excited about the prospect of owning a Premier League club.

“We will do the best by the fans and also by the club and it is very important to continue the traditions of the club.

“We are going to be good responsible owners and we want to make the club stronger.’

Mrs Desai’s brothers Balaji and Venkatesh Rao have been in England completing the £46million deal to buy the club.

Their first proper visit to the club will be for Chelsea’s visit to Ewood Park on Saturday and they will drive the passion behind the deal.

Both brothers are known football fans.

Mrs Desi said – ‘We are fully committed to Blackburn Rovers. This is not just another investment to us.

‘We are fully committed to the success of the club. That is how my family is with every venture we take on.

“We will be taking a very hands-on role in the way that the club is run because we are passionate about making this a big success.

“We are a very traditional company with strong values and we feel that Blackburn Rovers is a perfect fit for us because of its similar history and values.”

Mrs Desai also stressed that Jack Walker very much remains a part of the Blackburn legacy and their efforts will continue his work.

Mrs Desai continued – “Our firm was set up by my father and we have built on his success and made the firm even bigger as a family.

“We now want to take those family values forward into the future and ensure the continuing wellbeing of the club.

“We will do our best to see that our fans, both in Blackburn and across the UK and the world, can be proud of the job that we do for them.

“We will be totally committed to do our best to improve Blackburn Rovers and will do whatever it takes to ensure that we can continue the wonderful legacy that Jack Walker and his family have left us.

“My father left a fantastic legacy and I have been able to build on that at Venky’s. That is what we are looking at here at Rovers.”

Mrs Desai is the chair of Venky`s and the rest of the board is made up of her brothers, the joint managing directors, and her husband Jilendra Desai.

The good lady insisted that her brothers will hands on in their dealings with the club and that they will be 100% committed to the club.

Mrs Desai said: “My brothers will be very much involved in the running of the club. I will be coming over soon with my family.

“Please tell the fans that we are totally committed to them and to the club.

Join The Vital Debate

Share this article

Vital Blackburn Site Editor / Fence Sitter

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *