Glen Joins The Rovers Trust’s Forward Line

Glen, who has supported Rovers for more than 30 years, is already an active campaigner on behalf of grassroots supporters. He sat on the national council of the Football Supporters Federation (FSF).

The 37-year-old father-of-two, from Blackburn, says he is committed to making the Trust an even louder voice for supporters of the Ewood Park Club.

And he believes organisations like the Rovers Trust have an increasingly important role to play in representing the views and wishes of football supporters.

He replaces Simon Barnes, who has stepped down from the secretary’s role but remains a committed member of the Rovers Trust.

Glen said: “I’m really excited and looking forward to the challenge, it is a real honour to be appointed secretary of a vibrant and enthusiastic organisation committed to a bright future for the club I love.

“You only have to look at the work of grassroots fans at clubs like Swansea and Portsmouth to see that their voice can be heard and they can make a positive difference.”

Swansea Supporters Trust plays an extremely active role in the day to day running of the Premier League club. With a 21% shareholding it has a full member on the club’s board of directors and a second associate director.

Pompey Supporters Trust is the majority owner of League Two club Portsmouth. It achieved that aim after little more than three years of campaigning and work.

Glen, who has been a member of the Rovers Trust since its creation, said: “Over a number of years supporters trusts have become a viable option for football clubs, both in ownership models and supporter representation.

“The existing committee and steering group at the Rovers Trust have done a fantastic job to date in growing the awareness of the organisation whilst representing its growing membership base.”

Glen, who was a founder member of the Blackburn Rovers Football Community Action Group, added: “I’m hoping my previous experience of being part of supporter groups, including my time as an elected member of the national council of the FSF will add value to the Trust aims and responsibilities to its membership base.”

Oliver Jones, co-chairman of the Rovers Trust, said: “We’re delighted that Glen has taken on the important role of secretary.

“He is fully committed, not only to Blackburn Rovers as a lifelong supporter, but also to the concept that fans can and do make a difference and their voice has a right to be heard.

“Glen has been working hard for some time now on the national scene, representing the views of the ordinary football supporter, and we’re sure that he will bring all that energy and enthusiasm to his role at the trust.”

The Trust has been successfully campaigning on behalf of all Rovers supporters since 2012 and undertakes a wide range of club and football related initiatives on behalf of its members and the wider sports community in and around Blackburn.

Recent campaigns include successfully applying to have Ewood Park officially listed as an Asset of Community Value; supporting local football teams and helping to improve football pitches in the local area.

The Rovers Trust’s financial experts also play a very important role in analysing the accounts and financial position of Blackburn Rovers. With an £83 million drop in shareholder value since 2011 and the club estimated to be losing as much as £2 million each month, Rovers are being kept alive only be continued loans from the club’s Indian owners.

Rovers are also being punished under Financial Fair Play and face an end to Premiership parachute payments and it is the trust’s belief that Blackburn Rovers would be better run by its own supporters.

The principal aim of Rovers Trust is to obtain full or part ownership of the club and its assets on behalf of fellow supporters in order to represent supporters’ views whilst protecting the club’s short and long term future.

Its philosophy is to be open to all; democratic and inclusive, independent in thinking and decision-making, and to have our membership be as affordable and accessible to as many supporters as possible.

Blackburn Rovers’ legends Simon Garner and Glenn Keeley are official supporters of the Trust among former players. High profile supporters and local businesses have also backed the aims of the group.

They include local MPs Jack Straw, Jake Berry and Graham Jones as well as regional MEP Brian Simpson; Kate Hollern, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council; Sir Bill Taylor and Lord Taylor of Blackburn.

Rovers Trust has the full approval of Supporters Direct, the organisation enabling the involvement of supporters in the ownership and running of their football clubs.

For more information, to become a member please visit www.roverstrust.co.uk