RL in general maybe shouldn't worry. But Salford should. Sale are never going to overtake RL in the NW with the likes of Wigan/Wire/Saints around. But they would easily become top dogs at Barton especially with the lure of european rugby if they are in the Heineken Cup. Steve Diamond was on Granada tonight saying Barton gives them a great opportunity to up their capacity to 20000, and they haven't even moved in yet. Add to that RFU funding for marketing etc and they would easily average 10000+. They went from a 3000 capacity stadium to averaging 9000 at Stockport and see this as the next step. Will be interesting to see if they drop the 'Sale' tag and try and market themselves as more of a regional club.

Good post Karlos.

I wish Salford had the same outlook and there's no reason why we can't. It really does put our hierachy to shame.

Sale will have the advantage of RFU backing though as they are desperate to have a major club in the north. Will be interesting to see if the RFL will give any similar backing to Salford in what is seen as an iconic stadium location. I don't think Salford realise how important the first few months are at the new stadium for us though. Good chance for us to build a solid base before Sale move in, yet the season starts in 4 weeks and tickets for the first game are still not on sale.

Yeah i suppose they do have the backing of the RFU, a bit like "London whatever their name is" in our code.

Going back to your point regarding Sale name change. If Sale did and was successful, would Salford go down the same route. This is nailed on i reckon, if we don't improve our attendance's.

Could see it maybe becoming an option when the new franchises are handed out if any of the following happen:

Little or no improvement in performances/crowds.
Wilky steps down.
The RFL want a successful 'Manchester' club in response to the growth of Sale/RU in the north west.

Hard to say really. Hopefully we will make a success of it as Salford and non of it will become relevant.

Quote: advanced negotiations "PREMIERSHIP rugby club Sale Sharks yesterday appointed Steve Diamond as its new chief executive and said it is in "advanced negotiations" over a potential move to the new Salford Stadium at Barton. The club held a press conference yesterday at which co-owner Ian Blackhurst said that negotiations about a move were ongoing, adding that an announcement could be made "within four to six weeks". "There's been a lot of speculation and coverage about the stadium near Barton Bridge - a fabulous facility - and we are in negotiations, but it has to be commercially right," said Blackhurst.'" www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... -move.html I like the way Blackhurst can't bring himself to actually say the word "Salford". "Welcome to the Near Barton Bridge Stadium".

Quote: advanced negotiations "PREMIERSHIP rugby club Sale Sharks yesterday appointed Steve Diamond as its new chief executive and said it is in "advanced negotiations" over a potential move to the new Salford Stadium at Barton. The club held a press conference yesterday at which co-owner Ian Blackhurst said that negotiations about a move were ongoing, adding that an announcement could be made "within four to six weeks". "There's been a lot of speculation and coverage about the stadium near Barton Bridge - a fabulous facility - and we are in negotiations, but it has to be commercially right," said Blackhurst.'" www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwes ... -move.html I like the way Blackhurst can't bring himself to actually say the word "Salford". "Welcome to the Near Barton Bridge Stadium".

rlMEN version of article.rl

There's a back handed compliment for you - that fabulous stadium that Salford Rugby League team play at deserves someone better than them playing there.

He need only to visit this forum to find support for that opinion.

I doubt Brisbane Broncos would be too keen to relocate so far

thats what i like about these Yawnian clubs they are so far up their own backsides they can't see the light, I opened a can of Crown paint and painted a wall today, I stood and watched it dry, 1000 times more excitement and enjoyment than watching kick and clap and a lot more skills.

The fact remains thet Salford City Reds need to market themselves a lot better than they do now.
Yes sale have a bigger marketing budget than Salford City Reds have and yes the RFU have a much bigger marketing budget than the RFL have, but Salford need to do a lot more than they do now, which wouldn't be hard.
There are certain things that Salford can do which cost very little which would make more people of Salford and South Manchester aware of the clubs existence. At the moment it appears that Salford are doing very little if anything at all to let the people of Salford and the surrounding areas know that they are moving into a new stadium in Barton. I have my doubts if a majority of people in Salford and the surrounding areas are even aware that a Super League club exists in the area due to the fact that the club is so poorly marketed.

Let's be honest what has the club had to market before now? A struggling team in a tired stadium in an area people don't want to visit. The new stadium is a start and hopefully with some effort and good marketing ideas it could be the springboard Salford need.

Huddersfield 1895 i agree. TBH nothing has changed only a new stadium. Our marketing department was non-existant at the willows, and it remains the same at Barton, we are in the bottom echelon's of super league for one simple reason, our administration department, and yet the blinkered die hard lot still don't think it's JW's fault because he's above criticism.The hierachy assume we'll have an 8000 average attendance this year without lifting a finger which show's how out of touch they really are.

How difficult would it be to get people either voluntarily or for a small fee to just go around every house within a 10 mile radius and do a bit of canvassing like the Jehovah's witnesses do, that would cost peanuts and the beauty of that is if people are interested you could pick up a few details, maybe an email address or actually talk to them about any questions they may have, possibly get reasons why the disgruntled ones don't come and get some future targeted marketing plan going. It would be cheaper than billboards, and adverts and leaflet drops, just a few enthusiastic people selling the club to everyone within 10 miles. Maybe a few of you guys could put your time in and really raise the profile of the club.
Get some of those chugger types in all the shopping areas just putting the word out.