BLACKBURN Rovers owners Venky’s have denied they have received a joint ownership proposal – and stated they have no intention of selling the club.

Rovers fans Ian Battersby and Ian Currie, through their company Seneca Partners, insist they approached Venky’s ‘over two weeks ago’ with ‘suggestions about how we might work with them both operationally and financially to try to turn the club around from its current plight’.

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But in a statement released yesterday afternoon Venky’s said: “We have come across certain media reports that we have received a proposal for joint ownership of the club.

“We wish to clarify that there is no truth in these reports. We, the owners of the club, have no intention of selling or diluting our stake in any manner.

“We are totally and absolutely committed to supporting the club and endeavour for its advancement in all aspects.”

Battersby, who along with Currie, runs Seneca, a Haydock-based independent investment management and corporate advisory business for high net worth individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises, issued a statement in response last night.

It read: “Over two weeks ago, Seneca approached the owners, in writing, with suggestions about how we might work with them both operationally and financially to try to turn the club around from its current plight.

“We have since held conversations with a board director and the Venky’s adviser in the UK, seeking information from them which would allow us to progress towards a due diligence process and hopefully thereafter, the opportunity to make a firm proposal to the owners.

“We have had no response despite repeated requests.

“We note the statement made today on the club’s website which appears to react to media reports rather than the content of our own correspondence.

“This is disappointing but very clear in terms of the line that the owners intend to pursue.”