I am going to make a confession, here. I have a strong man love for President Wael Al Qadi. Ever since he bought Bristol Rovers a year ago, I have not heard a bad word about him. In fact, I have heard only good words. There is a long interview with Wael on You Tube, conducted by the excellent Keith Brookman, in which you hear the truth and nothing but the truth. I enjoyed it so much, I watched it through again straight afterwards.
From the slippery evasion of the Nick Higgs era at Bristol Rovers, we now have an era where fans are told the truth. From a club that was run on the basis of boom and bust, more often the latter, we now enjoy that rare feeling of stability. And from hoping for the best, we now have an owner who is working for the best.
Throughout a lifetime of supporting Bristol Rovers, it seemed there was no real plan. This is because there wasn’t a plan. And that’s why Rovers consistently ran up financial losses and failed consistently on and off the pitch. There was never a plan for sustainability, to see the football club run properly in the long term. Luck and chemistry, said one former chairman, was all you needed. Of course, without luck and chemistry, you end up in non league football.
At the start, Wael made it clear that his tenure in charge would be one of evolution, not revolution. All that mattered before at the Rovers was the first team. Little attention was paid to the club’s infrastructure and that was reflected in the club’s lack of success. Yet even though the new owner has practiced what he preached, by beginning to build strong foundations, even now a year on, everything looks more professional, less tinpot and more credible.
With a new training ground in the pipeline – and even here Wael explained the importance of involving all club stakeholders in its planning and development – the club actually feels like it is moving forward. And the president did not duck Keith Brookman’s question about the UWE. With refreshing openness and honesty, he actually addressed the possibility that the new stadium might fall through and that the club might need to seek an alternative location. Perhaps, some people might not be encouraged by that, but then again, isn’t it better to know exactly where we all stand? I am convinced that whether it’s the UWE or not, we will have our new stadium.
I am absolutely delighted that the new owners have not come in and thrown money at short term solutions. Bristol Rovers has always, in my time of supporting them, never looked ahead. Win a few games and the fans will come, until we start losing again. And the directors can loan the club a bob or two in order to deal with cash-flow issues. “It is not possible,” said one senior official from the old regime, “For Bristol Rovers to break even.” I wish I had replied, “That’s because you didn’t even try” but I never was one for thinking on the spot for a smart answer.
That the supporters have bought into Wael Al Qadi’s vision goes without saying. Honesty and realism, along with genuine ambition, have replaced the non strategies of the past. There will be bumps along the road but Bristol Rovers is, at last, in safe hands and we can look forward to a brighter day. A year ago, I’d have laughed in your face if you’d told me that.
