I don't think the Salford Academy thing is relevant. SL clubs need to promote the game to youngsters and they all do this via their "Foundations" Inc. Salford......

As we can see with academy re-organisation the RFL want less academies with a higher level of skilled youngsters to up the standards on the pitch.

As we saw with Salford's academy days, local talent used to go from Salford to top clubs academies like Wigan and Leeds. Players like Evalds didn't but if there had been no Salford academy he'd have gone to Wigan.

Not a stick to beat Koucash with, notwithstanding all rich owners should be welcomed, and should be allowed to spend there money as they like when they like.

I believe they are in debt to the tune of 50 million, with 60% to the bank and 40% to the owner. I suspect if you wanted to build a stadium of that magnitude again, you'd be spending a similar amount, so they're not panicking just yet. As for not being a success at all.....they have 17k average gates where they used to have 6k......fiscally they're owned by a very wealthy man so the debt isn't yet a problem, but they're far better off than they were at wycombe....compare their story with say Bradford and tell me which is the bigger basket case?

& some want to run an Academy & have proven funds to run one at the highest level *Leigh* but are not allowed to !

Probably true, yet the stadium at LSV makes revenue from Manchester United Reserves, Manchester United Ladies, Leigh Centurions, Rugby League Internationals, Lionel Ritchie & Elton John concerts.

Meanwhile over at Odsal .......

Happy memories.... 5.6083984375:5