What is the situation at at Salford? Are they being forced out and what does this mean for them and Super League? Are they being given any say or options? Why can’t they continue to share the stadium. Multiple teams play at the LSV?

Not sure they are being forced out, It’s a logical plan based on finances. Multiple teams or sports playing at LSV don’t support finances for the Centurions.

I see that moving out may be financially viable but seems bad from a PR and profile point of view. If it means they own their own ground could make sense. Looks quite a small capacity potential new home.

The ground they're moving to is in a much better location. It's far closer to Manchester city centre, Salford precinct and the Willows than the AJ Bell is, so it's likely to be closer to where the majority of their fans live. It's obviously not as handy for away fans travelling by car or coach, but it's better for those travelling by train.

I've always thought the AJ Bell was perfectly located for Sale (if you ignore the fact that it isn't in Sale obviously), because they have a more widespread support as "The North West's team" in RU. A far higher percentage of their crowd is likely to be driving to games from 20+ miles away, so a ground with motorway links suits them.

Salford are a community club and their fans are mostly going to be people who live in the area and are more likely to want to walk or get the bus to games, drink in local pubs etc. The football ground is in a better place for that. The 5,000 capacity does seem worrying though. It's all well and good saying packing it out will create a better atmosphere than the AJ Bell, which it will, but it's not right for Super League is it? Unless they have genuine plans in place to expand it quickly, which I highly doubt, they're inevitably going to drop to the Championship eventually, and not be seen again in Super League for a long time once they do.

Far from it, they have played there a long time now without being able to fully pay their rent.

Salford FC say they can pay the rent and want to play at the AJ Bell so Salford have agreed to step down and use the Soccer stadium.

So the hope is this reduces rental costs for Salford and possibly brings back lapsed fans, or even new fans both of whom don't fancy the trek to the wastelands of Barton

Your interesting analysis looks to give both clubs better homes. But how do you view the plight of Swinton?????

Swinton's current home is actually in a nice location if you ignore the fact it's miles away from Swinton. Sale is a decent place to eat and drink, and you can get there easily by tram. I wouldn't recommend Salford move there though!

Hopefully it can make for financial security and the can developer the ground as it doesn’t look like a SL level stadium at the moment. All depends on marketing move in positive way to grow fan base. AJ Bell not worked from that point of view.

It could be a precursor that they'll be outside the top 10 teams if the split goes ahead, so 5k could be fine for tier 2 (esp. if they forecast a drop in TV revenue too)

It doesn't look to me like they're going to own the ground, unless I'm reading it wrong? It looks like it will be owned by the council, and the club will rent it.

Following Swinton into a nomadic existence in the lower divisions does seem the likely long term future for them. The move from the Willows has been disastrous.

Nothing says Salford and some extent RL is small time than this sutuation. Nothing really wrong with the AJ Bell or its location, the fact Salford despite having a recent rich backer and made both major finals recently, its 12k capacity and 8-10k average should be achievable then the rent is no problem. Salford have failed catastrophically to break 4k average if not 3k, Salford are not right for Suoer League. If they are having to down size then they should down grade a division in favour of Leigh or Fev. With less TV money going around, its harsh but fair that that money should go go clubs who can generate a bigger support.

really the drop in attendance proves the location wasn't right for their fans and a nice shiny stadium wasn't the answer but if they was replaced with Fev you'd have everyone ranting pit village

I don't know how feasible it is, because obviously I appreciate that they don't want to clash fixtures with the football clubs on their doorstep, but I'd like Salford to play as many of their non televised games as possible on weekend afternoons.

With this ground being much easier to get to from central Manchester, it will encourage more away fans from places like Leeds and Hull to see it as a potential day out on the train if it is at 3pm on a weekend. Friday night isn't so ideal for this.

They where hardly ripping it up attendance wise at The Willows, could understand if they where like say Huddersfield or Wigan downsizing from 25k to 12-15k

Fev was just an example if a progressive team who have do every right over the last 5 years or more. Leigh or Widnes would be better addition, but already expressed my view that Franchising would be the way forward.

It was kind of 2K at worst, 6K at best and an average of 4K at the Willows, with the Barton stadium dragging that down towards 3K average. Leigh and Widnes a good shout but reality dictates the best shout isn't based on attendances but rich guys.

So Beaumont and Koukash fit that bill and obviously were the SL chairmens choice......... Leigh averaged 6K in SL as well......