538 replies to this topic

[JohnM]

It strikes me that this has been on the cards for Salford for some years, probably since they last got relegated I think.

Unable to grow their crowds at all - where other perennial strugglers like Wakey and Huddersfield had done. Persistently poor results, lack of investments (or a more "managed" administration like ultimately seems to have benefited Wakefield)

Perhaps even the very changing demographic of the City of Salford has actually scuppered it? (As with many traditional club supporter bases)

Salford strike me as a club that "should" be in Super League, but the city of Salford isn't the place for them and can't support them any more - if that makes sense.

I hope it's sorted for them though.

I think that is a fair assessment.

[mmp]

Couple of things about the Bradford saga -

It wasn't fraud, the initial 500k was stated as getting the club through the immediate future, as in the following two or three weeks. That money went exactly where the club said it would which was to the tax office and the players/staff and got the club through that two to three weeks. What didn't occur was the further invesment in the club that was more likely to happen if the initial 500k was raised. That's for a whole multitude of reasons, but it certainly wasn't to line the pockets of anyone who wasn't already owed money. That was always the gamble and it was explicitly stated that raising the money is only a guarantee of the club existing a few more days, and it did that.

thankyou. that explains the basis of the ask as long as it was explained to those who contributed.

As said, circumstances are different but the fact that Bradford made such an ask shouldn't be seen as a virtue.

[Red Willow]

As far as I am aware (no access to Facebook at work) The club have yet to make any sort of statement regarding the situation.

It is difficult to launch a rescue fund if the club is going to be wound up.

No club in SL could be run on the money provided by fans.

I am amazed by the number of experts on Salford posting on here.

No Academy? I wonder who played Leeds in the play off then.

Players are out in the community, there is work going on to expand the catchment area.


There are many things wrong at Salford, much of it in the administration adn hopefully if the club can survive then a new board would help resolve some of the issues.

[Exiled Wiganer]

One glimmer of light for them - if ever there is a good time to be casting around for loans and offcasts it would be this year given the numbers of over 20s in limbo. Certainly, Wigan will have a number of fringe but very good players available. If the SL clubs put their minds to it they could certainly assist the Reds put a squad together.
Good luck to the Reds. My heart bleeds for their fans.

[Leeds17]

Atmosphere? The Willows was a dump..unfit for purpose. How long has the new ground been open and yet its already being rubbished? It can't be that bad as over 9,000 turned out at the weekend to watch Sale Sharks..more than the England v France game I went to.

Agreed it was a bit of a dump.

Doesn't matter that it's only just opened, you can never change the location of the ground and so it will never take off in my opinion.

And comparing League and Union attendances doesn't count for anything, this is a Rugby League problem with Salford!

[OMEGA]

Did they? Yes they paid the Sky funding midseason to the Administrators to get the club through the rest of the season and then "made a bid" in order to flush out other buyers?

Yes they did, you nicely missed off the purchase of the lease for "iconic" Odsal and the 'cough' "market value" rental terms.

[The Parksider]

Salford to me have in recent years only payed lip service to junior development.

It's tough when the junior RL set up in Salford is scant, and when any quality kid in the Manchester/Salford area may have offers from Leeds, Fartown, Bradford, Wigan, Saints and Wire as well as their local club. Any kid that does become a star at Salford as we see will still end up with one of those clubs anyway.

There isn't enough young talent to go round.

Similarly the Salford club are renown for losing, being relegated and not getting in the play offs. They are famous for letting 94 in at Odsal.That supresses crowds and that's whey RFL/SLE know they really want an even competition so clubs have the chance to "do a bit" and attract people through the gate, they may be able to keep. That's why Championship clubs wanting to enter SL have to realise fans just won't turn up because it's SL. Widnes must have been disappointed with their showing too.

10,000 turned up for old times sake when the Willows went but that did not translate to crowds at Barton. Even the away crowd was poor at times as a fixture with Salford doesn't excite.

I was interested in Page's point about Barton and the cost. More so when you look at Sale and their disinterested owner and the club bottom of the RU which he pointed out.

It was suggested that Peel Holdings may prop the club up in order to be able to keep the stadium money coming in? But is that a viable proposition financially and should RFL/SLE allow a club to be "propped up" so some rich development company can keep getting the rent - anyone well up on this?? Thoughts??

[JohnM]

Agreed it was a bit of a dump.

Doesn't matter that it's only just opened, you can never change the location of the ground and so it will never take off in my opinion. Think of it this way. Once upon a time, there was no ground there. Now there is. Equally, once upon a time, there were no pubs there. Now the developers see that quite a few people go to the ground, they may find a pub makes perfect sense .I think it might not always be good business to site a stadium because there are pubs nearby. Pubs as we know , can be temporary, as can pub licences. Finally, it may well be that the development plan for the area already includes a pub.

And comparing League and Union attendances doesn't count for anything, this is a Rugby League problem with Salford! ​ Certainly, 9,000 people went, as did almost that many when England played

[gingerjon]

For a club "unable to grow its crowds", Salford averaged 4,166 in 2010; 4,563 in 2011 and now 5,431 in 2012.

[Amber Avenger]

You would expect there to be a significant increase in the move to the new stadium though. It's if they retain them which will be interesting (if they get the chance)

[gingerjon]

You would expect there to be a significant increase in the move to the new stadium though.

Why would you? That's a nudging 20% increase right there.

[The Parksider]

For a club "unable to grow its crowds", Salford averaged 4,166 in 2010; 4,563 in 2011 and now 5,431 in 2012.

An average growth rate of 632 fans a year.

Marvellous growth. I estimate Salford will be solvent paying full cap in four years time from now on that growth. Sounds a great investment.

Do they need to go back to the Willows every year to recreate their "last game" before 10,000 old time fans? to keep the attendance levels up

Salford returned to SL in 2009 on 4390 a figure that remained stagnant until the "stadium effect" which wasn't enough.

Edited by The Parksider, 12 December 2012 - 02:33 PM.

[The Parksider]

You would expect there to be a significant increase in the move to the new stadium though.

Nigh on 50% for Wire and Hull.

After that you need to win some matches to increase it.

A 20% increase on a low crowd anyway and no change to losing all the time gave Mr. Wilkinson all he needed to know.

[Amber Avenger]

Why would you? That's a nudging 20% increase right there.

Not to be childish, but why wouldn't you? The last match at the Willows has a lot to say for that 20% nudge - 10.000 for a match that going by the rest of the 2011 attendences would have been lucky to attract 3,500 on a regular weekend.

A new stadium creates a lot of intrigue for home and away fans alike - but only when it's new. Salford certainly haven't made the most of the move.

Edited by Amber Avenger, 12 December 2012 - 02:42 PM.

[Red Willow]

Peel have an application for planning permission to develop the restof the site around Barton, There a few places to drink, but most are a walk away. Airport, Eccles RLFC etc.

The stadium needs some extra work and hopefully this wil happen they are trying out the fans bar which started late last season.

[Leeds17]

Peel have an application for planning permission to develop the restof the site around Barton, There a few places to drink, but most are a walk away. Airport, Eccles RLFC etc.

The stadium needs some extra work and hopefully this wil happen they are trying out the fans bar which started late last season.

Lets hope so, unfortunately something should have been in place when the stadium was built. Basically they've built the stadium surrounded by wasteland and nothing else and not considered much else. Train station 2 miles away, buses ?, places to eat/drink ?

Just to pick up on one more point, Salford was officially the longest time i've had to wait trying to get out of a car park lol! This is a brand new stadium with people having no idea the logistics of getting around 5,000 out of a car park, brilliant. Got out faster at 40,000+ crowds! Funny really.

In all honesty I hope something improves and I would go back but for the next few seasons I think you'll see a difference in attendance figures, if not just from away fans!

[keighley]

Awful situation, but who didn't see this coming unfortunately?

Salford have no money. No assets. A small squad. A small fan base. Who's going to buy them out? I think that unless a multi-millionaire willing to make a huge loss for a few years is found quickly, the RFL need to make a decision. Salford won't make it through the season for sure under present circumstances. Should they shop around for a potential replacement?

The league were willing to buy Bradford in the absence of any other buyer. The very least they can do is the same for Salford.

[Derwent]

What are the choices then?

a) Liquidation and past players get nothing - John gets nothing and the Council also zero. Pack up and play in CC at Leigh?

b ) Administration and sell to XYZ to play at the Stadium on a basis of % of income through the gates to the Council. Pay as you play. New Company to play in SL.

Just needs a bit of creative thought doesnt it? Even so the club has to continue on a basis of if 100% comes in then a maximum of 80% goes out and Salford (2012) Ltd will be the first club - probably ever - to pay Corporation Tax!

Re the stadium, new legislation has recently come into force that requires councils to ensure that any council owned facilities can only be let at their true market value. So a % of gate income scheme may not be viable, there would need to be a minimum fixed level at commercial market rate. Allerdale Borough Council were recently forced to quadruple the rent on Workington football club's usage of Borough Park due to this requirement.

[Johnoco]

The league were willing to buy Bradford in the absence of any other buyer. The very least they can do is the same for Salford.

And presumably it will attract the same level of hysteria and condemnation?

Edited by Johnoco, 12 December 2012 - 04:18 PM.

[Ant]

Do Salford still play on Friday nights?

Maybe that's the problem, not very family friendly.