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But this weekend they were relegated, with hardly a whimper, after a 1-0 home defeat against Wigan Athletic, and only the most deluded of Blackburn fans could have said they didn’t see it coming.

The rot began in November 2010, when the club was purchased by Indian chicken company Venky’s for GBP 23 million.

Their owners, Verkatesh and Balaji Rao greeted fans on the pitch at Ewood Park before a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, and soon after promised to sign a host of big-name players, the most eye-opening of which was former Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho.

Soon after they sacked Sam Allardyce with the team sitting 13th, and replaced him with first team coach Steve Kean, a man with no prior managerial experience.

Rovers escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, despite an insipid 3-2 home loss to Wolves at home on the last day of the season.

The big signings never eventuated – in fact their biggest deal last season was to sell promising centre half Phil Jones to Manchester United.

Kean’s position was untenable for the duration of last season – but Venky’s, having no knowledge of football themselves, never acted.

One of their owners admitted never seeing a football match before buying the club.

Several times this season hundreds of Blackburn fans have marched on Ewood Park, asking Kean and the owners to leave the club.

But no action meant going backwards, and Blackburn will be playing second division football next season.

It wasn’t Kean’s fault he wasn’t good enough, but he should never have been appointed in the first place.

All this prompts the question of how it was allowed to happen.  How could a company with no knowledge of football be allowed to purchase an English institution like Blackburn?

Their local MP, Jack Straw, has accused the Premier League of a ‘wilful neglect of its responsibilities’ and called for an investigation.

But the League says their “fit and proper persons” test only ensure clubs remain sustainable, and cannot ensure competency.
Why not? Why should Blackburn fans be subjected to the systematic destruction of the club they love?  Why shouldn’t the Premier League step in when it can see a disaster is about to unfold?

Venky’s deserve plenty of blame of course. To step into the cut-throat world of football with no prior knowledge smacks of arrogance at best and ignorance at worst.

They simply had to appoint someone to a senior role who understood the game. They have failed the club, and its fans.

Let this be a lesson to all clubs who fancy taking on a millionaire owner. Choose your sugar daddy wisely.