Supporter group We Are The Rovers have issued a statement following a meeting with CEO Steve Waggott and COO Suhail Shaikh.

The meeting took place on Friday, August 2 ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign, which kicks off against Derby County at Ewood Park.

Three main issues were raised: the “lack of clarity” around the Venky’s upcoming court case, questions over the owners’ “ability/willingness to fund the club” and the level of “communication and engagement” with fans.

“We impressed upon them the growing concern that supporters have around the ongoing legal issues involving the owners, which appear to be impacting the club’s ability to function,” the statement read.

“We stressed that if the owners are either unwilling or unable to run the club on a benefactor model, placing the club up for sale was the only viable option.

“The forthcoming August 20 Delhi High Court case was also discussed. It was reiterated to WATR that the hearing is seen as an opportunity for the owners to agree a better solution is in place for remittance of funds to BRFC in the UK, and that the owners are committed to continuing to fund any losses of Blackburn Rovers for the coming season.

“It was highlighted that much of the unrest is a result of a void in communications, and the need for a full explanation of the current position is required directly from the club.”

The group say the meeting was “positive overall” but stressed that it is only the “first step” to improving engagement between the club and supporters.

The statement continued: “As a result of this initial meeting, it was agreed that a wider consultation between the club and a broad range of supporters and fan groups should take place at an appropriate time in the future. Planning for this is ongoing and further details will be provided in due course.

“The COO has agreed to attend future scheduled WATR Memorandum of Understanding meetings on a regular basis.

“Work will also be undertaken to allow regular communication and, if possible, in person meetings between the owners and representatives of WATR in the future.

“While the meeting was positive overall - and welcomed by both WATR and the club - it is only the first step to improving engagement between the club and its most important stakeholder, its fanbase.”