Venkys: Get Blackburn to Europe, Sam

We have no idea just how much ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce (in homepage pic, second from left) knew about Pune, India, until last month; or if he had even heard about the bustling little metropolis that sits in the shadow of Mumbai.

Now he does. For sure. 

Venkateshwar Hatcheries, or as Puneites refer to the family-run firm, Venkys, owns one of Britain’s oldest football clubs - Blackburn Rovers, of which Allardyce is manager.

In a deal that took place this month, the total value of which is 54 million pounds  – including cost of purchase of shares, takeover of debt and infusion of funds for improvement of the club - Venkys took India to the English Premier League, joining the likes of club owners from Abu Dhabi, USA, and Russia, among others.

In an exclusive interview with this website, Anuradha J Desai’s chairperson of Venkateshwar Hatcheries, was candid enough to state that the relationship between Allardyce and the new owners will have to start afresh.

“We have heard a lot about Sam Allardyce in the past, but, we feel he should be given a fresh chance.” 

In interviews to the British press Desai had already expressed the need for the club to replicate its 1994 league winning success and the possibility of Ewood Park, the club's home stadium, being renamed.

But, in this interview Desai added, “As long as we get results, I think everybody deserves a chance. As far as Blackburn Rovers is concerned, we believe that this team has a lot of potential: our aim is to see an overall improvement of the club – in terms of its finances as well as performance.”

And then, the soft-spoken and media-shy Desai tails off with the line that is sure to catch Big Sam’s eyes – “We want to take Blackburn back to Europe.”

Which in footballing terms means the manager must get his club to finish in the top five of the Premier League. With Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool all in the hunt for those spots, it's a tall ask by any standard.

But Desai and Venkys mean business.

Explaining why and how the group chose Blackburn, Desai adds, “Initially, we identified one other EPL Club, but, a majority stake was not available. Subsequently, Blackburn Rovers was available, along with the possibility of a majority stake. This, and also the fact that it is one of the oldest clubs since the establishment of the league, and that the club’s traditions and values are similar to our own, convinced us to acquire it.”

“Venkys' core business is production of wholesome and nutritious protein food: Nutrition, and good health are closely associated with sports. In the past too VH Group has been associated with sporting events. We are the Official Sponsor of the Mumbai Cricket Association for the past nine years, The NECC International Women’s Tennis Tournament for the past ten years and Enduro-3, an adventure-sports/mountaineering/rafting/biking competition, for the past eight years. These have proved to be immensely beneficial in creating a strong brand-recall and image for Venkys and the VH Group. 

“Now the club is a part of the VH family and we will be going all out to increase its popularity, enhance its rankings and for its overall improvement,” Desai said. 

Pune has a football club called Pune FC in India’s top football league. But Desai said they have not yet thought about  a tie-up between Rovers and Pune for football development. 
 

Venkys is controlled by three siblings, Anuradha and her two brothers Balaji and Venkateshwar (after whom the company was named).

While Anuradha is chairperson and the one who runs the show, she remains behind the scene. The brothers, Bala and Venky (in homepage pic, right and second right), are the more public faces of the company.

Their father Dr B V Rao is considered one of the pioneers of modern poultry in farming in India and the company has played a huge role in making India the fifth largest poultry producer in the world.

Blackburn play top-of-the-table Manchester United today in the Premier League and with six straight defeats against United since their shock 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in 2005, are the overwhelming underdogs.

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