That's possibly true Notus. What beggars belief is that such a renowned shrewd business man would take over a club with very little potential money wise when there were other clubs who would have suited him better. I do hope he sticks it out now and stands by his words because it would be a disaster for the loyal Salford fans if he didn't.

Koukash is a self-publicist, and there is nothing inherently wrong with that. He's certainly not unique in either sport of business in that regard and in many respects, he is the sort of character the sport has sometimes missed. Unfortunately, some of his actions and comments are extremely misguided.

What HIM says is pretty much on the money. Salford was never going to be anything but a long-term project and I think misunderstood the scale of Salford's issues and the nature of the sport.

I like Koukash. I think he says a lot of positive things about the sport and I'd much rather listen to someone like him talk passionately about the game than some moaning windbag like Neil Hudgell. But there is no doubting that he has made some catastrophically poor decisions and treated some people extremely badly in an attempt to get his way - Tony Puletua for one.

I hope Salford can work and I hope that Koukash can be a positive influence on the sport, but I suspect that he may run out of patience before that can happen.

Quote Super cas="Super cas"That's possibly true Notus. What beggars belief is that such a renowned shrewd business man would take over a club with very little potential money wise when there were other clubs who would have suited him better. I do hope he sticks it out now and stands by his words because it would be a disaster for the loyal Salford fans if he didn't.'" Just because he is rich doesn't automatically mean he is a shrewd or even competent businessman. His public track record on running businesses in the UK certainly isn't great. Anyway, having let people in for £5 he has now dropped his price even more and is going to let people in for free against Catalans. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... rd-9416755

Quote Super cas="Super cas"That's possibly true Notus. What beggars belief is that such a renowned shrewd business man would take over a club with very little potential money wise when there were other clubs who would have suited him better. I do hope he sticks it out now and stands by his words because it would be a disaster for the loyal Salford fans if he didn't.'" Just because he is rich doesn't automatically mean he is a shrewd or even competent businessman. His public track record on running businesses in the UK certainly isn't great. Anyway, having let people in for £5 he has now dropped his price even more and is going to let people in for free against Catalans. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... rd-9416755

The guy is a complete tool. His rants are embarassing (albeit entertaining). IMO he came in with the expectation of throwing a few quid at the club and making them instantly successful. Like others have said, he is now realising that he needs to build the club up from the bottom and his treatment of players seems to be atrocious

I really dont think he will last until the end of next year and its the Salford fans I feel sorry for

The history of Rugby League in Liverpool I think backs up your point. Eventually Liverpool City/Highfield/Huyton/Runcorn died through a pitiful lack of support. I spent a few miserable Sunday afternoons at Alt Park in the 70s, where you parked your car at your peril. It just wasn't sustainable to have semi pro RL there.

I know the Doc lives in Haydock and has business interests in Liverpool and has ties to JM University where he lectured and got his doctorate from. I think he saw Salford as having the potential to attract massive crowds but he misunderstood the real roots of Rugby League - they are not in the big cities (Leeds apart).

Liverpool and Manchester are soccer mad cities. The Wigan and Saints lads go to Liverpool on the end of season 'Mad Monday' jaunts and never get recognised.

I like the Doc. I hope he succeeds. He may have to get away from that dreadful venue first though.

Yes the stadium is awful, the access is ridiculous for a professional sports stadium. There was a bad crash last Thursday just outside the ground if we were the game that night it would of had to of been postponed.

In this day and age that is ridiculous, add to the fact most of our support are from suburbs of Salford that have poor public transport links to Barton it really is god awful. I and many others will never warm to the place, no chance we will move anywhere else though.

I always like the Willows. I liked the fact that you could park your car for free a few minutes from the ground. The atmosphere was good and the facilities just fine.

I think you are looking back with rose-tinted glasses there - I loved the Willows too, but the reality was that the reputation of the area (justified or not) was seriously discouraging many away fans from attending. Stories of vandalism to cars, harrassment etc abounded - don't know how far back the RLFans archives go but there were plenty of such stories after every game.

The RFL made it clear that franchise renewal was dependent upon moving to a new stadium so for better or for worse we did. The financial woes of the old club are well known, the development company initially set up to do the move went bust and the club was left with virtually no option but to accept the Peel Holdings/Council take over of the whole project and now we are where we are. All in all a sorry tale.

Not like a Castleford follower to start yet another anti-Koukash thread.Must make a change from the Twatter drivel.If you are not happy with your owner;unlucky.As for the other clubs,in Jan 2013 they all had owners in place and are geographically some distance from St Helens.



Does your opinion also extend to his interest in his other love;horse racing? Did he expect to throw a few quid at horse racing and become instantly successful? Do you also expect him to last until the end of next year with his horse racing?

You're probably right. Though I never had any problems, doesn't mean others didn't. I've been to the new ground a number of times now including pre season, internationals , the world cup and the Super League games and I can honestly say it's my least favourite away ground. The parking hasn't stopped me going but I'm always amazed that there seems to be twice as many cars as punters! When you get in - the ground is empty!!!

Such a shame. Anyway back to the Doc. I like the guy. He thinks outside the box and does things differently. He has been a success as a racehorse owner, so it seems a bit odd that he should throw his money into RL. But he seems genuinely smitten with the game. I think people need to cut him some slack. I would hate it if the game lost him. But really, why does he need the hassle?

hmmmmm, i may be wrong here but horse racing isnt rugby league so is completely irrelevant to my opinion on him and his ownership of Salford.....