LIFELONG Blackburn Rovers fans and East Lancashire businessmen Ian Battersby and Ian Currie have put forward a joint ownership proposal to Venky’s, it is understood.

In 2013 Battersby and Currie informed the India-based Rao family they had secured investment to launch a takeover bid through connections to their company Seneca Partners.

Venky’s failed to respond to the bid and further expressions of interest, from other parties, in the three years since have also fell on deaf ears.

But in recent days Battersby and Currie have reached out to Rovers’ owners again.

Through Seneca Partners, which is a Haydock-based independent investment management and corporate advisory business for high net worth individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises, it is believed they have asked Venky’s if they would consider handing over 51 per cent of their shareholding in exchange for a commitment of capital into the club.

At this stage there is no indication if the proposal will get off the ground.

Battersby, when asked by the Lancashire Telegraph, said: “It would be inappropriate to make any comment at this time.”