“We are here to” – Abdullatif AlSaeed sends message to Bristol Rovers supporters | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers VP Abdullatif AlSaeed has spoken of his desire to hear from fans

Abdullatif AlSaeed, Bristol Rovers vice president and son of chairman and majority shareholder Hussain AlSaaed, has sent a message to Gasheads and promised to listen to the fans of the League One club.

AlSaeed was speaking in a recent interview with the Rovers fan-led podcast GasCast following the news that his father was set to acquire all of Wael and Samer Al Qadi's shares over the next 18 months.

There have been grumbles among Gasheads concerning communication between club and supporters pre-dating the AlSaeed's acquiring their initial stake in the club. However, this seems to have increased due to the lack of information shared by the family, which has helped to fuel the uncertainty from fans around their expected full takeover.

AlSaeed family commit to listening to Gasheads

During an interview with GasCast, Abdullatif Al Saeed shared more information about his background and that of his father and expressed his desire to communicate more strongly with the Rovers supporters.

He said: “I think since we came in, obviously this is a new like business or a new, you know, let's say mission or experience or a new investment project for us. So we do not have the relative experience when it comes to coming out in public and appearing.

"We are more, you know, on a low profile basis in our other businesses. However, we are here to also listen to our fans, to see what they want.”

AlSaeed also sent a message to fans - revealing that the new ownership wanted to listen to the fanbase and inviting fans to reach out.

He said: “I think moving forward, we'll definitely, you know, communicate more, listen more to the fans and whenever they feel that there's an update needed, we're willing to do it.

"And through all channels, you know, through the podcast, through our channels, through the press, I think we're open, and our door is always open for the fans and to really communicate.

"The chairman’s going to come on and do an interview as well, maybe towards the end of December with the club channels, social channels, and there will be a chance for the fans to send in their questions as well and for him to answer it.

"So yeah, we would like to communicate always with the fans and if they have any questions, if they have any concerns, they can always email the club.”

Passionate fanbase will keep him to his commitments

Bristol Rovers have a passionate and loyal fanbase so they won't be shy in letting their feelings be known should the club not evolve. Equally, many will choose just not to spend their money on the club if they feel they get no return. Ultimately, a football club is an investment for everyone involved.

AlSaeed certainly said many of the right things in the interview, and it seems to have gone down well with Gasheads. It’s now down to the new ownership to follow through on their commitments to supporters, who will certainly keep them to their word.

The owners' popularity will, in part, be linked to whether they can bring on-field success, with the Gas a mid-table League One side - nine points off sixth-place Reading and three above Northampton Town in 21st - at the moment, but remaining honest and open with the club's support is also vital.