Uncertainty continues over Salford’s stadium future amid talk of a sale
SALFORD remain in the dark over whether they will be turfed out of their AJ Bell Stadium home – and possibly the city.
Red Devils officials fear the ground they share being sold to fellow tenants Sale Sharks RU for a fee in the region of £15 million and being forced to leave.
There is even talk Salford City FC will move in, especially as the nearby Irlam Steel recreation club is thought to have been bought as the Ammies’ new training centre.
Despite protests from Salford fans against any potential eviction, the local council, part of the AJ Bell’s current ownership group, insisted nothing had changed.
SunSport contacted them with a list of questions, including, ‘Has any offer been made formally? How does it make the council feel to see protestors voicing their concerns?’
We also asked, ‘If the worst comes to the worst, is there anywhere else in the city the Red Devils could play? Should Salford Red Devils be forced to move outside the city boundary, how would Salford City Council feel?’
SunSport also put to the council: “On to a more general point, is Salford City Council happy at the ‘return’ it has had on the AJ Bell Stadium, or are you keen to make improvements/changes in the way it is managed?”
Despite putting the list of questions to them, Salford City Council just replied with: “We issued a statement in April on this and it still stands.”
That quoted Peter Openshaw, interim strategic director of the place directorate, as saying: “No decision has been taken on whether to sell the AJ Bell stadium or on any terms of sale.
“We can confirm the stadium company has been approached in respect of the potential sale.
“Should a future decision be taken, the council will be seeking reassurance for commitments for Salford Red Devils.”
That, however, is not thought to have quelled any fears at the Red Devils they may have to play outside the city boundaries.
Off-field worries compound on-field ones after Salford had a poor start to the season – last night’s 40-4 thrashing at Hull KR did little to lift the gloom.
Boss Richard Marshall said: “Let’s not beat around the bush here, wins are important. We need to start picking up points as it’s an unforgiving competition.
“We still feel we’re a top six team but the table doesn’t lie. We’ve not been playing at that level.”
However, last night’s hosts had hit form and half-back Rowan Milnes was up for facing opposite number Tui Lolohea, before Wigan’s Jackson Hastings and St Helens’ Jonny Lomax in the coming weeks.
He said: “I relish battles against the big names. As a young lad, I watched some of them and you want to test yourself.
“And there’s been a change of belief in our group. We see ourselves as being up there with the likes of Wigan, St Helens and Hull and we want to prove we can compete.”