Venky's worst owners of English club, Abramovich second

As if Venky’s didn’t have a turbulent reign at Blackburn Rovers already, they’ve now been adjudged as the worst owners of an English football club.

A survey by Sportingintelligence.com  which represented 1000 fans of more than 60 clubs says a sorry tale of what was supposed to be India’s first breakthrough into mainstream football.

Under the ownership of the poultry giants, Blackburn — who won the English title in 1995 — have been relegated to the Championship (England’s second tier of football) and are languishing in 13th place in the table. Only the top six teams have a chance of being promoted to the Premier League.

The survey took into account reasons from hurting the club structurally or financially to perceived damage to the game due to their decisions.

Venky’s received 27.3% of all the votes, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich following with 22.2% and the Glazer family (owners of Manchester United) coming in third with 12.5%. Swansea City’s owners were adjudged to be the best.

Firstpost spoke to fans of the club last year. CLICK HERE to read what they have to say about the way the club was being run.

Last season, despite losing 23 of their 38 matches and a fan uproar, the management failed to sack manager Steve Kean. They finally did appoint Henning Berg when Kean stepped down, but even he has been sacked after failing to turn around results.

Editor of Sportingintelligence.com Nick Harris was quoted in the Economic Times as saying: “Not only has Rovers been relegated but fans have also been upset by farce after farce at Ewood Park.”

Their club is in the news more for their boardroom disagreements than their on-pitch battles and fans are clearly miffed at why Shebby Singh has been appointed as their Global Advisor.

All in all, Blackburn are in trouble and Venky’s need to clearly get their act together.