245 replies to this topic

[flyingking]

RFL news story today

Salford’s millionaire owner Marwan Koukash insists his move for Sam Tomkins was no publicity stunt as he turned his attention to luring the club’s former stars back to the City Reds.

Australian duo Vic Mauro and Liam Foran trained with the club for the first time this morning, ready to make their debuts in tomorrow’s Super League clash with London Broncos, and they will be only the first of a host of new arrivals at the Salford City Stadium over the next 18 months.

Koukash, a wealthy racehorse owner, intends to spend his way to bringing success and wants to make a start by bringing back the big names the club lost in the wake of their financial crisis.

Joel Moon (Leeds Rhinos), Daniel Holdsworth (Hull FC) and Matty Smith (Wigan Warriors) were all prised away at the height of the club’s strife last year while Stefan Ratchford and Richie Myler were previous high-profile buys by Warrington Wolves.

“I want our boys back,” Koukash said. “I’m not going to mention names but last year the so-called big clubs used our financial difficulties to entice our players away.

“Now, if it means me using our financial strength to entice them back, I will.”

Koukash made the headlines earlier this week with his audacious move for Tomkins, which followed previous attempts to sign Warrington’s Salford-born captain Adrian Morley and Castleford Tigers’ 2011 Man of Steel Rangi Chase.

Today Koukash insisted the bid for Tomkins was genuine and that he is serious about transforming the fortunes of Salford.

“I expected those headlines because he is the best player,” he said. “And it was a big cash offer.

“I don’t know why people call it a publicity stunt. We don’t lack ambition, we don’t lack the finances, we don’t lack anything. We have everything to make us a top side.”

Koukash, who had never been to a rugby league match before last year, says his enthusiasm for the game went up another level after watching the City Reds come from 34-14 down to beat Hull KR last Sunday and claim their first points of the season.

“It was better than winning any horse race,” he said. “And I’ve won quite a lot of races. I ended up standing on the touchline for the last six minutes and it was an absolutely amazing feeling.

“I got a bit emotional actually and I did things I maybe shouldn’t have done as a chairman.”

After putting Mauro and Foran, freshly arrived from Manly Sea Eagles, through their paces today, coach Phil Veivers says he hopes to make two more additions to his squad for this season.

One of the targets is Gold Coast Titans centre or second rower Luke O’Dwyer, 30, who is considering the offer of a three-year contract.

“We’ve been talking to Luke for the last week and hopefully we’re in the final stages of negotiations,” said Salford’s new chief executive Ed Farish.

Edited by flyingking, 28 February 2013 - 02:57 PM.

[Franksy]

Why should Morley be released by Wire on a free just so Koukash can have the "local boy comes home" scenario? Leeds paid over the odds for Hanley,if you want your man,you pay? Especially if your a multi millionaire? Koukash would have made a big statemment by signing a player he obviously rates highly. Tony Smith and Warrington obviously still rate him highly too,as Koukash was rebuffed immediatley. Those on here who are saying Morley isn't worth a transfer fee and only worth a free transfer and pay as you play deal are insulting the legend which is Adrian Morley.

It was highly unlikely that Cas would have let Chase go,and Tomkins would never been sold by Wigan in a million years. Wane actually burst out laughing when he heard of the move for Tomkins! Is Koukash developing an 'oh well Salford fans, i'm sorry we didn't get our man but I did try' situation here? Maybe he needs to lower his sights a little and actually make a decent signing or two before he loses credibility and his approaches are deemed no more than PR stunts to get Salford in the news every week? There are some very good ex super league players now playing in the lower leagues who could still do a good job for salford at SL level. Maybe he should get a few of those players on board first?

Insulting Morley The Legend? I would never do that.

However, the guy is 35 years old, and paying £250K for him would be absolute madness. Morley will still be a legend when he is 55 years old, will you think someone should pay £250K for him then?

[Viking Warrior]

But that's the point. Instead of the BBC sports being in London and treating the game with indifference, Salford are within a stones throw. They can hob nob with the BBC sports people, give them free tickets to the ground, peak their interest every time they go across Barton Bridge and see the stadium and link it with Dr Koukash's latest publicity initiative re Salford and by default, Rugby league. Further on there is a WC game at Salford this autumn and others in nearby Lancashire towns. There is only the semi final in London. The proximity to the BBC at Salford shopuld be an advantage the game and Salford need to exploit..

i am talking about bbc news north west now, not before the move to media city.

[TwoBlues]

More media coverage - http://www.itv.com/n...other_multiline

[hindle xiii]

superleague.co.uk says he's after those that got away; Moon, Holdsworth, Smith, Ratchford and Myler. He says where in the past the big clubs had clout to sign these players, they also now have clout and want them back.

[Egg Chasing]

Does he realise there's a salary cap?

[hindle xiii]

Does he realise there's a salary cap?

Indeed, and looking at the current squad I can't imagine they're anywhere near, and wouldn't be surprised if it came about they've been well off the cap for a good few years. Especially when compared to the squads who are spending the full cap.

[The Parksider]

Instead of the BBC sports being in London and treating the game with indifference, Salford are within a stones throw. They can hob nob with the BBC sports people, give them free tickets to the ground, peak their interest every time they go across Barton Bridge and see the stadium and link it with Dr Koukash's latest publicity initiative re Salford and by default, Rugby league. Further on there is a WC game at Salford this autumn and others in nearby Lancashire towns. The proximity to the BBC at Salford shopuld be an advantage the game and Salford need to exploit..

So the sports hacks at the Salford studios receive a freebie VIP invitation to go watch one of RL's biggest SL losers before sparse crowds, and they will somehow jump at it, get down to Barton, and go back to the studio and big the club up.

Dream on.

For the sake of twenty minutes why shouldn't they go hob knob with Mr. Lenegan, Mr. McManus or Mr. Moran. After all there's top class players, top crowds and top RL on show. If I was a BBC sports hack I'd look at my various free VIP passes from the local clubs and put Salford's straight in the bin.

Then It'd be hard to choose from the others but I think I'd take Mr. Moran's as I may get me and the wife a couple of big concert tickets for free as well.

I may be wrong and Salford may actually be the most important rugby league club in the Cosmos. I will leave Professor Brian Cox to ajudicate on that.

Edited by The Parksider, 01 March 2013 - 10:15 AM.

[keighley]

So the sports hacks at the Salford studios receive a freebie VIP invitation to go watch one of RL's biggest SL losers before sparse crowds, and they will somehow jump at it, get down to Barton, and go back to the studio and big the club up.

Dream on.

For the sake of twenty minutes why shouldn't they go hob knob with Mr. Lenegan, Mr. McManus or Mr. Moran. After all there's top class players, top crowds and top RL on show. If I was a BBC sports hack I'd look at my various free VIP passes from the local clubs and put Salford's straight in the bin.

Then It'd be hard to choose from the others but I think I'd take Mr. Moran's as I may get me and the wife a couple of big concert tickets for free as well.

I may be wrong and Salford may actually be the most important rugby league club in the Cosmos. I will leave Professor Brian Cox to ajudicate on that.

You are one negative person. Previous to the BBC sport moving to Salford, the alternative was to get them to the Stoop and jump board with RL from watching Bronos lose to Widnes.

How important Salford become will depend on the new management but it looks to be more ambitious than the Bradford re incarnation so far.

[Red Willow]

Of all those old boys I would only take Ratchford back.

Moon did the worst thing by claiming to be homesick then signing for Leeds, this was also before the financial problems.

Holdsworth isn't good or consistent enough to take back.

on other issues
The tram takes 30/40 mins depending on time of day. The 67 bus goes to the stadium.

[tonyXIII]

Of all those old boys I would only take Ratchford back.

Moon did the worst thing by claiming to be homesick then signing for Leeds, this was also before the financial problems.

Holdsworth isn't good or consistent enough to take back.

on other issues
The tram takes 30/40 mins depending on time of day. The 67 bus goes to the stadium.

I assume you wouldn't want Myler because Sneyd and Fages look promising in the halfs. Agree regards Ratchford. Absolutely agree re Holdsworth and as for Moon, if he thinks he got some stick at Leeds the other week, he ain't heard nothing yet!

[Red Willow]

Myler is a talented lad but think Theo will be better if he carries on progressing. Think he has an all round better game.

Love the Doctor getting us attention and ruffling feathers. Should be interesting how the new guys go tonight.

[flyingking]

Love the Doctor getting us attention and ruffling feathers. Should be interesting how the new guys go tonight.

Though it led to several months of uncertainty and worry, the decision by Salford council not to fund the club now looks to be the best thing that has happened to the Reds in years. It has led to an enthusiastic and successful businessman becoming involved and it is great to see stories about who might come to the club rather than being who is the next player to leave.

[roughyedspud]

judging by the scoreline tonight salford need to start making some realistic signings....not pie in the sky ones...

like lee gaskell....and daryl clark from cas

Edited by roughyedspud, 01 March 2013 - 09:24 PM.

[barrowraiderskid]

If I was Mr Koukash I'd be going for players like:

Daryl Clark, Danny Kirmond, Lee Gaskell, Kyle Amor, Mcarthy Scarsbrook, Simon Grix, Ben Harrison, Tony Club.

Players you are guaranteed to get a performance out of every week. They are what Salford need at the moment.

I'd maybe go for a marquee signing. Someone like Michael Dobson or maybe look to the NRL for someone along the lines of Matt Bowen or Jamie Soward.

[EastLondonMike]

Soward is a good shout. been touted for a SL switch for a couple of years.. maybe Matt Cooper from St.George also..

Was also thinking of Daryl Clark and LMS as the type of players Salford should be looking at.

[roughyedspud]

exactly...

but not jamie soward hes bobbns...im thinking anthony minnichello,braith anasta etc....experienced and can still play...and would compliment the british talent.

[hindle xiii]

Dr K,

All the Bulls players are poop.

Honest...

Try those superman at Huddersfield, and go tomorrow while the roads are quiet.

[Cake Tiger]

Koukash has just "promised" Salford supporters that performances like tonight (London at home) won't happen again. I'm not sure I can believe anything he says if he feels can promise something like that.

[Steve May]

So the sports hacks at the Salford studios receive a freebie VIP invitation to go watch one of RL's biggest SL losers before sparse crowds, and they will somehow jump at it, get down to Barton, and go back to the studio and big the club up.

Dream on.

I was more thinking that they might drive past the stadium on the way to work every day (and hopefully think of Salford rather than Sale), that their kids might meet some players at a training session at school and want to see a match, that they might meet someone in the office who watches Salford and talks about RL as if it's just a regular sport rather than a wierd Northern tradition on a par with cheese rolling and bog snorkelling.

That kind of stuff.

But please, do keep dreaming.

Seriously Parky, you're normally much sharper than this.