Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash has called on the club’s fans for more commitment in 2015 – admitting season ticket sales are slower than they were this time last year.
The Red Devils finished 2014 on a high, winning six out of their last nine games – but failed to make the play-offs despite heavy recruitment in the off-season. Hopes are high for 2015 though, with the likes of Ben Jones-Bishop and Michael Dobson signed up, as well as the mid-season arrival of Kevin Locke this year.
And Koukash has reiterated that although he has no interested in walking away from the club, the fans must try harder if they want the club to be successful – saying that he needs bigger numbers through the gates in 2015.
“Once you’re a devil, you will always be a devil,” Koukash told the BBC’s North West Tonight programme. “I have no intention of leaving Salford as long as I am allowed to do what I want to do – which is grow the club. I can’t force the game on the people of Salford; I know it;s difficult to come to the stadium, but they need to try harder in order to support the club.
“I know we’ve not had the best of seasons, but we won six out of our last nine games. It’s the best season Salford have had in the last six or seven years, and I need to see more commitment from the fans themselves. I need bigger numbers; season ticket sales have been very slow compared to last year.
“Are they sending a message to me that maybe they’re not interested in Rugby League? I hope not. A Super League club is definitely worth more than 3,000 fans at the gate.”
