Good post MM.

In the cold light of day your reasoning makes sense. I'm just very wary about any coming together of RU and RL as there is more to be lost than gained on the part of RL. Coupled with our hit and miss management off the field and it makes fans a little nervous. On the face of it though, maybe the two Clubs would have a lot less to do with each other than we imagine. I don't know. We would need a fan of London/Leeds to comment about how relations benefit/stagger development.

One thing positive has come out of this...

...There's some reasoned debate on the Turkey!

There's a lot of issues here.

1. We don't know exactly what is in the agreement between Salford and the SMC and therefore cannot draw any concrete conclusions about what might be in an agreement between Sale and the SMC. I would have expected that Salford City Council would have embedded some protection for us in any deal even though we were probably too stupid to do so - let's not forget that they wanted Barton as a home for us much as we did (ahem). That said all the indications are that the agreement is more commercially flexible / beneficial for the SMC than we would like.
2. Sharing with Sale overall will not benefit us. They will seek to take any fans, players or other resources they can. Expect some heavy RFU backing as well.
3. Ultimately there is very little we can do about this entire situation. We can get angry and sit here and argue all day but the time to complain about the stadium situation we have got ourselves in has been and gone. I said when the current version of Barton was first mooted that it was the wrong solution for us and unfortunately I am being proved correct.

Agree fully.

Would there not be grounds if Sale did move in and receive financial backing from the RFU for the RL to do so with to counteract this?, surely with its location and quality of corporate investment in the area the RFL wouldn't want RU usurping them in their heartland?

Interesting to see the parallels between die hard fans of both Sale & Salford on their respective boards.

Seems that many Sale folk will not come to Barton because of logistical moves to get there and others wont be coming because they look to be changing the name to 'The Sharks.'

Maybe Steve Diamond feels that the opposition fans from Sarries, Wasps & Quins will be flying in to Barton International Airport to bolster the numbers. Misguided. He seems to have upset his own fans never mind ours with his arrogance.

If you read the MEN article again today all rhetoric about taking RL's best youngsters has gone, making me think it was said with some poetic license in the first place.

They have also become World Club Champions while under the one owner rlStoryrl

rlKennedy May Have His Attention Divertedrl

Just had to wash my hands after visiting the Sale fans forum. It looks like the only factor that might dissuade Sale from moving to Barton is the traffic congestion. Pity they have to make their decision before we play Wigan - I'm anticipating the biggest ever traffic jam at the A57/M60 roundabout. I might just walk from Eccles tram stop and along Barton Lane.

As we were really, in desperate need of investment. I think our bank balance is a far greater threat to our wellbeing than Sale RU.

I have been led to believe that the club aren't exactly happy with the way in which the ground has been built, nor the final deal we've been cut. We've got no other option but to deal with it, though.

As for those suggesting that Wilky would only sell to Kennedy if he had Salford's best interests at heart... Well, firstly, didn't Wilky have talks with Kennedy a while back and end up not selling? What's changed between now and then? Secondly, talking to a Sale season ticket holder I know, there's plenty of speculation that Kennedy's trying to flog them to some Russians. I don't see where we'd fit into that, unless the Russians really are trying to crack the RL market now.

Their link-up with Stockport was meant to be for the greater good of both teams. Stockport are now at a much lower level than they were previously, no longer own their own ground and have looked at building a new one in order to survive in the future.

I'm not arguing with those that are suggesting our biggest threat is our own management - I think we're all aware that they have played a big part in us being in this position. But that's also a good reason to worry about Sale's intentions. Without a strong, well-run management behind the scenes then Sale will be able to do a lot more damage if they so wish.

Whilst there is nothing we can do to stop Sale (or anyone else) moving in, surely now is the time for fans to seek a few answers from the club/stadium company about the deal we have been lumbered with. The way the fans have pretty much been fobbed off by both parties over the stadium move is quite remarkable. Nothing from the club in the build up to the move, and the stadium company still don't seem to have located the reply button on whichever e mail service they use. The club could even use a strong fans body in it's favour in negotiatons with the stadium company, although I don't think they seem to realise this.

Have they not read on here and on facebook about the state of the car park,the attendants and the delays on leaving ? rlThey'll not be able to cope with thisrl

Not only do the club not realise but neither do the majority of supporters. Apathy results in the vast majority of supporters taking each and every kick in the balls in blind faith that something will magically happen to take all of their woes away. Not going to happen and seen just about enough of it in my footballing interests.

Lack of an independent/critical voice has got this club in this position as no relevant questions and/or actions were taken at key times. Regardless of your stance in what mistakes have been made and who is in effect been proven right or wrong, the past cannot be changed and the only way to ensure certain individuals think twice about riding roughshod over Salford RLFC is by giving them a 'bloody nose' in the process and making them think twice about doing so in the future. This same approach should go for Sale, the SMC and even our own board of directors.

There would be obvious marketing potential in the Reds name if Russians did in any way get involved with Salford.

On Friday night, as I leave my desk in Stockport, I will pass large numbers of Sale fans arriving (many by train) for their game v Saracens. Many arrive early to populate the local ale houses: I may call into one for research. The fans who go to the Old Vic seeem a decent lot. Purely research, of course.

It is interesting that the ones I have talked to in the past refer to travelling by tram and are unaware of the mile (or so) walk they need to make in winter to and from the ground. Or are unaware until I tell them.

I like most fans I have met. I do not trust the club.