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.....

I don't mind the Dr he really needs a pr person of some description to calm him down sometimes, and I always wonder why would bag happended if he had bought Bradford during their decline ofr if his wife had been given the charge of the club when we went into admin last year.

I have an oft repeated theory about the failings of clubs on a commercial footing, stemming from a failure to attract fans. Obviously, London and no Salford face massive competition for the interest and cash of the local public, but there does seem to be a one-eyed attitude that was displayed by David Hughes at London and is to a certain extent, being copied by the Doctor. It's not a fault that you can blame either man for having, but it is the root cause of their respective issues.

It's quite simple really. They LOVE RL. They want RL to grow because they LOVE it and they are prepared to sink cash into their clubs to make them grow, but neither understand the principle that:

"JUST BECAUSE THEY LOVE IT, IT DOESN'T MEAN EVERYONE ELSE WILL"

I have also referred to this as "field of dreams" marketing scenarios......as in, if we build it they will come......well, Like Hughes discovered spending 15+ million over 6 seasons, if you don't spend a fair chunk of that on engaging your audience and repeating the message, instead splashing out on coaches and players, then you'll reap what you sew.

Simply put, a club with 4k fans playing in a stadium that looks empty will not attract either corporates or sponsors, but a team playing to 10,000 fans, screaming their lungs out in support of their team will attract sponsors and corporates and media interest and then more fans.

If you doubt my theory, Dr K has splashed cash on players and coaches and yet has less fans than before and nothing to show for it other than not being relegated and a trip to Sheffield in the middle 8 this year.....

Tbh with the whole "competing with football" thing. Whilst true obviously as it is the number 1 sport in the country, right now you can hear the discontent of football fans. Their is a lot of fans seemingly falling out of love with the game because of the feeling of clubs becoming businesses and ticket prices going higher and higher and a general feeling off not caring about the fans along with a growing dislike of the 'modern' premiership footballer.

Those reasons are things RL clubs should look at and try take advantage of to perhaps attract fans from football to RL. I'm not saying it would be easy but at the same time I don't clubs should just accept that they couldn't steal some fans from football at this point in time.

I agree to a degree. I think we've often thought that Union is a natural place to entice fans from whereas I think football clubs and fans are a better fit.

However the problem the likes of Salford face isn't really in enticing football fans per se its in competing with football for media in Manchester and getting noticed by the people of Manchester when, understandably, it's dominated by football.

Becoming a FAN is not something that happens overnight. You attend your first game......you maybe return the following week or week after but true FANDOM comes from regular attendance.
the Largest advertiser (by spend) on the planet says you are a simple consumer for your first 6 purchases of their products, but a CUSTOMER once you've bought for the 7th time......and thereafter, they will spend more to keep you than they will a 4th time buyer.

It's like drug dealing without the drugs.....

Koukash has three main problems -
he thinks the answer to everything is throw money at it- I suspect because that's how he lives his life.
he talks too much.
he makes promises he can't or doesn't keep. It will never happen again, I will break the salary cap, we will be a top 4 side, there will be no free tickets, etc etc.
Personally I find him to be undignified.
There are a number of players who have or are requesting to leave the club which suggests that they are not satisfied with the way things are being done.

For Rugby League to get noticed in Manchester we must follow footballs example and go into all areas of Manchester with junior development. Once parents who perhaps are not Rugby League fans start to see their children play Rugby League they will show an interest in the game.
Yes it will cost money and yes it will take a long time, but this is want it needs to be done. Perhaps Dr Koukash and some of his business friends could be tempted to fund it or even part fund it.

Koucash has allegedly offered free entry to the next game. I've heard marketing experts repeated say that cheap (or free) tickets is not a way for long term growth.

There never seems to be much thought or planning in Marwan's way forward. The likelihood is, he'll give away free entry to the Catalan game, 90% of the crowd wil be the same old species, just not paying. Once the cost goes back on, then

However, what if he introduced some sort of system where locals applied for a free season ticket for next year, or perhaps some sort of family ticket where kids go free (Designate one stand to it, it not like their struggling for space).
Split the season into sections of X number of games. Your free weekly ticket lasts for say the first 6 home games (half the regular weekly rounds), then you have to reapply. If you have attended 4 out of the 6 games, then you get an free renewal to last for the second half of weekly rounds - if you attend 4 out of the last 5 fixtures, you get a free pass to the play off/super 8 home games.

Do the ticket for free for next year, 20% RPP the year later, 40% in 2018, 60%, 80% and then in 5 years you've hopefully completed gathering a half decent, loyal and partisan home crowd.

AN expert may think the above is a terrible plan, but any long term plan is better than leaving the gates open, then complaining on twitter if no one walks through them.

Giving free ticket to schools is noble, but an afternoon of rugby camp for the local school kids followed by free entry to the game is better, if you want to build a lifetime relationship with these people.

Not sure I agree with this. Rugby League is well covered in the MEN and also very well covered on Radio Manchester. It does get its' fair share of space. Marwan even has a column in the MEN.

The media aren't the problem. It's a football city - the people just aren't interested in RL. I'd guess that cricket is way ahead of RL too.