Fact: The club were told by Super League that in order to retain a place at the top table they would have to move from The Willows to a new ground. And as we all know those goalposts have now moved as Cas & Wakey blatantly don't meet that criteria.

IIRC, a number of potential locations within the city were identified but the only viable option was the location of the AJ Bell. I assume (unlike yourself or Donny I don't have the "facts"icon_wink.gif the land around the AJ Bell was a lot cheaper than locations like just off Oldfield Road which is prime real estate being located just outside Manchester City Centre (which is now filled by hundreds of over overpriced apartments)..

Oh and I don't think 8,000 was ever the break-even figure quoted. I'm pretty sure 6000 was quoted as break-even and that 8000 was aspirational in order to kick on to the next level.

Edit: I've just read the Twitter feed from Thursday's meeting and I see Paul King quoted 8000 but going back 10+ years I'm pretty sure I recall 6000 being mentioned as break even so I'll have to try and dig up some original quotes.

"Smaller 'dig'"? There have been far more belittling 'digs' in your previous posts which I just ignored so really not sure what I've said in my last post that could be considered a 'dig'. But hey ho.

Basically we were told that remaining at The Willows would mean no top-flight rugby as to be considered as fit for super duper league you needed a shiny new stadium. So I think it's fair to say our hands were tied. Again, I'm pretty sure the club would have loved to redevelop The Willows as a first option but there just wasn't the land there to make it feasible with requirements for parking etc. I mean we didn't even have space for proper bogs at the ground so absolutely no chance of meeting all the other requirements.

As for future ground options, I think most Salford fans would happily ground share with Swinton. A circa 8k community ground in a good location with shared facilities makes perfect sense. The issue is where? Agecroft is pretty central but not sure if there's the land available. Moor Lane (Salford City's ground) is definitely not a long term option as there's not the infrastructure there for a long-term tenancy (no parking, no training facilities etc).

I'd love a groundshare at the AJ Bell with Salford City but doubt Gary Nev & co would entertain it and they'd obviously be paying the vast majority of the costs as Sale do now. So in reality I'd expect a short-term move to Moor Lane with Salford City moving in at the AJ Bell.

Well if Salford were told The Willows didn't meet the ground criteria for licensing then I think it's fair to say that Cas & Wakey certainly didn't/still don't!

I'm sure there's someone on here who can dig out all the original requirements as I've had a quick look and can't see them anywhere online.

Personally as an away fan if you stuck all three side by side, i'd have still had the willows here, i liked the away end at salford, big steps, decent cover, the willows was pretty good if you got there early enough.

Perhaps a case of selective reading Slim, I've not tried to belittle anyone apologies if you felt that I have.

To recap, I always thought that the primary problem was location, location, location, not that you can't afford it, or you're choosey who pays the lion's share, or shortfall in rent. Maybe it's a combination of everything conspiring against you, but ultimately I do think that your club (previous regimes) had some part to play in the outcome.

The millstone isn't simply just someone else's burden passed on to you IMO (a guess not a fact)

Agree although that "away end" is mixed (I've watched non Wire games when it's been fairly well populated by Home fans) and there was seating behind IIRC, but I know what you mean.

I don't mind Cas as an equal first/close second at least the open end gives you a view and for torrential conditions you can always get under cover in the corner ...as an away ground Wakefield is definitely a hard watch open and low.

Proof that Salford, St Helens, Castleford, Wakefield, Crusaders and St Helens were warned about their stadia ahead of licensing in 2009.


In July 2009, the RFL was reported to have warned Salford City Reds, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, of which none had started construction on a new stadium, that progress must be made in order to avoid jeopardising their chances of obtaining a second Super League licence. St Helens RLFC and Celtic Crusaders (later Crusaders Rugby League) were also warned, but were reported to have a likely chance of having a new stadium by 2012."

I was at a meeting in 1999 that tasker said that to warrington when he was at the rfl/sl

So according to the first link Salford did have a choice to up grade the willows,

"We felt it was appropriate to remind all the clubs of their commitment to upgrade their current facility or move to a new stadium," the RFL said.

I'm pretty sure redeveloping The Willows was never an option for Salford because the area surrounding the ground was so built up with housing etc.

Reds89 kindly helped out with the licensing stuff so maybe he can dig out something else that will back me up on this.