5 replies to this topic

[GLENNGARY]

With utter amazement I see that Merry and his cronies are loaning Salford another 1 million pounds,as iff they havn't given them enough.I don't think bias is a strong enough for there actions.It stinks to high heaven. We need a new ground badly and what do we get from these council officials in red shirts, sweet fa. I'm afraid words fail me.

[parky]

What is a million pounds between friends. The Council say this is only a loan until houses etc are built at the willows. Has a contract been drawn up and signed by all parties or is it all verbal.What is the actual reason given for this loan.

[marshy1]

What is a million pounds between friends. The Council say this is only a loan until houses etc are built at the willows. Has a contract been drawn up and signed by all parties or is it all verbal.What is the actual reason given for this loan.

As Mr Merry was quoted it's good for the city to have a professional sporting club in the city, it's a pity they forget there are two sporting clubs.

It is worth pointing out that mr Merry and his band have actually given the Lions some sponsorship this season hence the advet on the shirt.

I do worry however that this article may cause the Lions some harm in their efforts to obtain funds from them towards Agecroft as clearly this article is meant to highlight the councils decision to use funds supporting non-essential services at the cost of employees loosing jobs.Therefore members of the Lib dems and conservative council members will look at future spending i feel.


In any case as has been said it really does stink.!!

[PhillH]

Well done to the MEN for putting in a challenge and to the council officer that has been prepared to stand up for due process and express some unease regarding the nature of this further support to Salford City Reds and the risk that is being put onto council tax payers.

A few things are quite clear:

- John Merry is blatantly a major supporter of Salford RLFC and sees the shared branding as being in his political interests, as it helps shape the concept of identity of local people (particularly young people)
- John Wilkinson has put a lot of money into Salford RLFC over many years, but has reached his limit as regards Barton
- John Merry sees himself as untouchable in the role of Council Leader due to the safe seat politics that prevails in the area
- John Merry, with considerable assistance from willing minnions no doubt, is trying to push the limits in order to give as much money as possible to Salford RLFC and is now so exposed that good money is likely to be thrown after bad
- The financial support is clearly going beyond even construction of the new stadium, obvious given the considerable outlay on players for this year's Salford RLFC squad
- The chances of repayment of the full amount that has been "loaned" to Salford RLFC are slim to non-existant, particularly given the prevailing property market and location of the Willows, plus the low levels of support (less than 1,000 for the recent friendly)
- The financial position of all Councils is perilously weak at the moment

So what should be done about it? I personally wish Merry would come clean about the true nature of the support being given to Salford RLFC, rather than wrapping it up in a ridiculous and thinly veiled effort to make it "politically acceptable". At least then some proper strategies could be put in place, instead of clandestine tactics designed to eek out a bit more cash opportunistically here and there.

Swinton Lions ought to be a part of those strategies. However there is no point Swinton Lions supporters just having a dig - it won't hurt Merry in the slightest and won't bring him to account. Neither will opposition councillors be much of a help, as their agenda does not include being pro-Swinton Lions. Who is prepared to get organised and do positive work to campaign for Swinton Lions to have a role in the future of professional rugby league in the area? The arguments need to be put forward systematically and the club needs to play its role by demonstrating the value it can bring to the area in the event a new ground is to be forthcoming in M27.

In reality there is no clarity where Swinton Lions will be playing in 2012, no meaningful strategic approach to community development in M27 for at least 5 years and a culture of secrecy when what is needed is leadership to focus the energies of Swinton Lions followers in a productive way.

[marshy1]

Well done to the MEN for putting in a challenge and to the council officer that has been prepared to stand up for due process and express some unease regarding the nature of this further support to Salford City Reds and the risk that is being put onto council tax payers.

A few things are quite clear:

- John Merry is blatantly a major supporter of Salford RLFC and sees the shared branding as being in his political interests, as it helps shape the concept of identity of local people (particularly young people)
- John Wilkinson has put a lot of money into Salford RLFC over many years, but has reached his limit as regards Barton
- John Merry sees himself as untouchable in the role of Council Leader due to the safe seat politics that prevails in the area
- John Merry, with considerable assistance from willing minnions no doubt, is trying to push the limits in order to give as much money as possible to Salford RLFC and is now so exposed that good money is likely to be thrown after bad
- The financial support is clearly going beyond even construction of the new stadium, obvious given the considerable outlay on players for this year's Salford RLFC squad
- The chances of repayment of the full amount that has been "loaned" to Salford RLFC are slim to non-existant, particularly given the prevailing property market and location of the Willows, plus the low levels of support (less than 1,000 for the recent friendly)
- The financial position of all Councils is perilously weak at the moment

So what should be done about it? I personally wish Merry would come clean about the true nature of the support being given to Salford RLFC, rather than wrapping it up in a ridiculous and thinly veiled effort to make it "politically acceptable". At least then some proper strategies could be put in place, instead of clandestine tactics designed to eek out a bit more cash opportunistically here and there.

Swinton Lions ought to be a part of those strategies. However there is no point Swinton Lions supporters just having a dig - it won't hurt Merry in the slightest and won't bring him to account. Neither will opposition councillors be much of a help, as their agenda does not include being pro-Swinton Lions. Who is prepared to get organised and do positive work to campaign for Swinton Lions to have a role in the future of professional rugby league in the area? The arguments need to be put forward systematically and the club needs to play its role by demonstrating the value it can bring to the area in the event a new ground is to be forthcoming in M27.

In reality there is no clarity where Swinton Lions will be playing in 2012, no meaningful strategic approach to community development in M27 for at least 5 years and a culture of secrecy when what is needed is leadership to focus the energies of Swinton Lions followers in a productive way.

Your the man for it Phil.!

[PhillH]

Your the man for it Phil.!

In the past I had a go, but taking up that agenda again is out of the question at the moment on a personal level. How many others are prepared to go beyond mere lip service and put in some substantive selfless effort for the cause? I'd wager "not many". What tangible evidence do we have to show that the club itself is committed and savvy and having maximum impact with the council? Get our own house in order and you've got a basis to apply some meaningful pressure for positive change. At the moment the argument in favour of greater support for Swinton Lions from the Council is not being made openly, is not apparently being made with commitment and conviction, is not engaging with the community at large, and is therefore too easily dismissed.