472 replies to this topic

[Gregory Peccary]

http://www.reds.co.u...-takeover-close

[JohnM]

Graham Lowe is 66 and has had some health problems over the years. Good luck to him and (hopefully) great to see him back in the British game.

In my opinion it was Lowe who laid the foundations of the great Wigan team of the late 80s & early 90s. At 66, isn't he a bit younger than Sir Alex Ferguson? I think hwe may well be on the way to a new and sucessful era fir the Reds.

[Red Willow]

<sub>Just need this to finally happen, then we can get season tickets on sale and recruit a few players.


Nice move by the Doctor appointing Wilkinson as President, regardless of the mistakes he may have made Wilkinson should be remembered for his efforts since 1982.</sub>

Edited by Red Willow, 18 January 2013 - 08:20 AM.

[Segovia Carpet]

<sub>Just need this to finally happen, then we can get season tickets on sale and recruit a few players.


Nice move by the Doctor appointing Wilkinson as President, regardless of the mistakes he may have made Wilkinson should be remembered for his efforts since 1982.</sub>

Totally agree re John Wilkinson. This will be a load off his mind.

The Doctor is indeed shrewd. In Racing he uses many Trainers - not just the one - and I wouldnt be surprised to see more appointments at the club.

[cookey]

This sounds extremely positive and all in rugby league should be very grateful for what Dr.Koukash appears to be doing.He has taken his time,taken professional advice,seems to know exactly what he is getting himself into and appreciates there will be no over night solution.Anyone who expects a full turnround in less that 3/4 yrs is kidding themselves.Equally,many people should be grateful for what Wilkinson has done over the years to keep the Club going.

There are plenty of people who tell others what must be done,unfortunately they are invariably wrong and/or don't have the ability/resources to impliment the necessary actions.I for one will be delighted if the Club can be stabalised for a year,some progress made the following season and a solid,viable Club emerges the following year.

Some very good people/owners appear to have come into rugby league over the past 18mths - Hull,Wakefield,Bradford and potentially Hull KR and Fev.

Hoping for good news on sponsors and looking forward to a successful World Cup.

[Emosi Koloto]

I was impressed by Dr Marwan Koukash in the press conference, he comes across really well.
I just hope they don't sign too many overseas players and focus on developing players for the future.

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

In my opinion it was Lowe who laid the foundations of the great Wigan team of the late 80s & early 90s. At 66, isn't he a bit younger than Sir Alex Ferguson? I think hwe may well be on the way to a new and sucessful era fir the Reds.

You're not in your prime until 60+ (at least I bl**dy well hope so!).

[Kenilworth Tiger]

So this will leave Cas as the only team in SL without a wealthy backer - not looking great for us. Maybe now is the time to revisit their business plan

[sweaty craiq]

Potentially great news for Salford. I never believed all parties would come together without administration.

He has other motives imo, but I believe the RL club is a long term part of his plan and not a pawn just to get what he really wants

I seriously hope this comes off and the people of the area support the club in far greater numbers going forward - well chuffed for Sir John as well.

[Futtocks]

Nice gesture, honouring Wilkinson for his years of hard work. Chuffed for the club, but as was said earlier, don't expect an instant turnaround. 2013 will probably be another rough old season for the Devils, but at least they only have to concentrate on improving, instead of just surviving.

[Red Willow]

I have no problems with having a tough season if we are building for the future.

There are a few players that simply won't last the season at Salford (excluding the kids) A couple of forwards look like their bodies are either broken or not up to the SL season.


Being a Salford has always been a rollercoaster ride at the best of times but this last year as been the biggest of the lot. I didn't expect to escape the Winding Up Order before Dr Koukash became involved and still expected it to go wrong at the last minute.

Just hope we can get everything ready for next season, issue squad numbers, sell season tickets and have the Red shirts ready for the opening day!

[Bulliac]

So this will leave Cas as the only team in SL without a wealthy backer - not looking great for us. Maybe now is the time to revisit their business plan

Whilst the Bulls' owner is certainly 'rich' by my standards, I don't think he comes near to the proper 'rich'.

[hindle xiii]

Interview with the Doc

[Kenilworth Tiger]

Whilst the Bulls' owner is certainly 'rich' by my standards, I don't think he comes near to the proper 'rich'.

Yes fair point - I guess the point I was making is that Salford, Cas and Wakey are very similar in may respects. Wakey go into admin and come out smelling of roses, Salford have a winding up petition filed against them and (seemingly) come out smelling of roses.Also, London are surviving on average crowds below 3,000

Pre Christmas, the board at Cas came out and begged and pleaded for us all to buy a membership to ensure the financial future of the club. Many have done this (nearly 3,500 I believe) despite the worst season in many many years but still not quite sure where we go if we don;t get to 5,000

It begs the question if this was the right move - Salford sent out a rallying cry with the Save our Salford campaign asking for donations basically and had a paltry attendance at a pre-season fixture - are they worth saving? Somebody thinks so. I really don't buy this RL needs a club in Manchester nonsense

Cas own a lot of land - perhaps the business plan should be "F*ck it, let's go into administration, clear our debts and crack on - somebody must want us for the land value if nothing else"

I genuinely fear for our club and am honest enough to say that there is an element of the green eyed monster in my post when a club like Salford (similar to Cas in so many respects) can attract this sort of backer.

It will be interesting to see how the next 12 months pan out

[cookey]

Very sensible and level headed.

[gazza77]

Yes fair point - I guess the point I was making is that Salford, Cas and Wakey are very similar in may respects. Wakey go into admin and come out smelling of roses, Salford have a winding up petition filed against them and (seemingly) come out smelling of roses.Also, London are surviving on average crowds below 3,000

Pre Christmas, the board at Cas came out and begged and pleaded for us all to buy a membership to ensure the financial future of the club. Many have done this (nearly 3,500 I believe) despite the worst season in many many years but still not quite sure where we go if we don;t get to 5,000

It begs the question if this was the right move - Salford sent out a rallying cry with the Save our Salford campaign asking for donations basically and had a paltry attendance at a pre-season fixture - are they worth saving? Somebody thinks so. I really don't buy this RL needs a club in Manchester nonsense

Cas own a lot of land - perhaps the business plan should be "F*ck it, let's go into administration, clear our debts and crack on - somebody must want us for the land value if nothing else"

I genuinely fear for our club and am honest enough to say that there is an element of the green eyed monster in my post when a club like Salford (similar to Cas in so many respects) can attract this sort of backer.

It will be interesting to see how the next 12 months pan out

If Cas do manage to get a backer, or sort themselves out financially by some other means, it could make things very interesting come the next round of applications.

I hope they do manage to sort themselves out, same as with Salford and any other club that is struggling.

[The Parksider]

_{Nice move by the Doctor appointing Wilkinson as President, regardless of the mistakes he may have made Wilkinson should be remembered for his efforts since 1982.}

30 years!! How much do you reckon he's put in over that time?

[Red Willow]

Depends what you mean by put in.

As well as Director loans etc the first team have over the years been sponsored by Cebora Whilst as far as I am aware not actually a Wilkinson Star company I think he had the distribution rights from the Italian comapny so this could have been his money as well.

The Willows has also sponsored games and subsided the hospitality side of the company.

A conservative estimate of £100,000 per season proping up the company adds up over 30 years.

[keighley]

You're not in your prime until 60+ (at least I bl**dy well hope so!).

Me too.

[keighley]

I have no problems with having a tough season if we are building for the future.

There are a few players that simply won't last the season at Salford (excluding the kids) A couple of forwards look like their bodies are either broken or not up to the SL season.


Being a Salford has always been a rollercoaster ride at the best of times but this last year as been the biggest of the lot. I didn't expect to escape the Winding Up Order before Dr Koukash became involved and still expected it to go wrong at the last minute.

Just hope we can get everything ready for next season, issue squad numbers, sell season tickets and have the Red shirts ready for the opening day!

Were the RFL instrumental in attracting Dr Khoulash to invest in the Reds. If so, they deserve our praise in saving this club who could go on to big things if this investor does what he says he is going to do.