Very valid opinion, but IF Sale were to buy it, I don't see what kicking you (Salford, not you personally!) out would achieve, surely you could just continue to share it?

Agree: it is logical and makes sense.

My concern is from the history of Sale in Stockport (where I work). The opinion of County fans to the Sharks was, at best, robust, and often, vitriolic in the criticism levelled at their new owners. They felt that Sale tried to remove the identity and heritage of County and the phrase "bully" was frequently made.

It also comes from the stance of Rugby Union to Rugby League: I am not suggesting times have not hugely improved but I still get the whiff of objection to our existence from some quarters. Hopefully it is the decay of the horrible stance that I remember.

There is a long (and meandering) thread on VT of why RL has not taken off in Manchester. I do not want to revisit all of it here nor the definition of Manchester that took so many paragraphs. However it is obvious that Association Football has such a presence in the area that other sports struggle to intrude. Struggle is the phrase I chose as they have to work at keeping a occupancy in the media and in the mindset of the public. Today's Manchester Evening News has 7 pages for United and City (City played last night so would get 2/3 pages for the match) but only 7 paragraphs for Sale and a quarter of a page for the change to the RL Salary cap and Dr Koukash's reactions to that news. Lancashire cricket get half a page.

Any impediment to that presence which could come from a landlord (see Sale and Stockport above) will reduce the attraction of that club: Salford would suffer and it could start a terminal decline. Agreed with tact and a positive approach by Salford, it may not happen. But...

I think you have laid bear the issues & reason we are unable to grow the fan base. I would also add to your excellent comments, we no longer play rugby league in the schools, with football being played from a very early age at all levels, our game is really up against it.
If papers were to give our game wall to wall coverage & we had a fair crack in the schools, I am sure the game would grow, although I believe traditional rugby league areas are also facing the same issues.

mmm ... just saw this: Sale have made a bid for the L|SV stadium: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=604121 11th April post by the way, not 1st April

mmm ... just saw this: Sale have made a bid for the L|SV stadium: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=604121 11th April post by the way, not 1st April