Just seen what sale are doing for home games, bit like the fans zone that used to be at OT. https://twitter.com/salesharksrugby/sta ... 7910056961

Just seen what sale are doing for home games, bit like the fans zone that used to be at OT. https://twitter.com/salesharksrugby/sta ... 7910056961

Not that different to stuff we've done in the past is it?

Suppose so, looks like a bit more hearts gone into it, proper bar inside rather than a couple garden benches.

They'll probably embrace it more than we did though.

I noticed the crowd was a meagre 4,300 for Sale Sharks first home game at the AJ Bellend last weekend..some fan on their board said it was more like 3.5k ..and the opening game crowds are declining year on year ..they seem to be in a similar position to us in attracting fans in what is a predominant football area and possibly the poor showing of the National RU side had some bearing?? instead of building momentum and enthusiasm for the sport ..some folk feel a bit flat?

Sorry to unearth an old set of discussions but the main issue is the location: I work with several Sale fans who rarely (and many, never) attend as the stadium is a pain to get to and from. Having built up a heartland in the south of the conurbation with attendant good rail and bus links, the move to Barton has alienated many. The Old Vic in Stockport was full befoe and after matches as the trains ran after 12:00 to points Cheshire. Now a mad dash on the motorway with no chance of drinks and friendly meet-ups OR having to rush into Manchester and not have a rugby atmosphere.

Unfortunately there is no answer for us and this is all we've got.

Whereas Sale could potentially move back to Stockport if they desired to do so.

Is their a match day experience? I think the club have tried, putting stalls in, marquees up and having live music. I think the bigger question is, "What will it take to make the AJ Bell feel like home"

For all its modern facilities, I can't take to the ground, looking at crows figures neither can the Salford public. I know we need to move on from the Willows, but I'd take ing against a wall over standing freezing in a soulless stadium.

Also a quick note, people moan about the facilities at the Willows but it didn't stop players loving playing on the turf. Proof of this, Jodie Broughtons Twitter, drove through Salford and went out of his way to pull up on Willows road. Possibly a moment of reflection from the highs and the lows, I'd hazard a guess he didn't venture over to Barton and bring back memories. Without guessing which ground he prefered playing at, Willows would win hands down.

Think the new pub might help improve things on match day, there's now a reason to get down there earlier. Both from the point of view that it's another option and I honestly can't see the SMC not reacting to it opening if match taking drop significantly.

Amazed the club haven't done anything similar to be honest, they must lose out on a fair whack of income from food and drink sales on match-days. Something like this could see a rental paid, with the club keeping most of the takings. Sale wont be doing it if it doesn't earn them money.

When did something similar it was was flawed.

We mainly did it in the winter meaning it was bitterly cold (I remember it was open for the first game at the stadium again Cas), we did it on the unpaved bit of the parking area and it was uneven and then the last time we did it the band that were playing I'm sure had borrowed the PA system from Spinal Tap it was that loud.

Proper bars, a bit of chow on sale and music loud enough that people can have a chat rather than shout at each other would be a good yard stick.

Sale sold Edgely Park to Stockport Council earlier this year so a return to Stockport would seem unlikely

Interesting thread:

1. The marquee, with proper bar and ale, tv's, heated (shark tank) is a stadium thing not Sale, which will be there for their whole season ( which surely leads to why they don't do similar for the Reds)
2. Why compare crowds? Sale opening crowd of 4500, in middle of RWC where people have paid £000's probably looks good compared to our crowd.
3. As someone else mentioned Sale owner has sold EP so they won't return there. The reason they moved was because they were being fined 6 figure numbers a year as it didn't meet min standards.(RL supposedly had those years ago, hence our move while Cas, Wakey just ignored them and they have now been dropped)
4. Rather than running Sale down, why do we not look at what they do well and copy it?
Eg. They charge extra for stadium car park and use the money to run FREE shuttle buses to the Trafford Centre.

Their average crowd last year was nearly 7k so rather than hating maybe we should look at what they do and copy the good bits?

Just a thought

Ok wasn't aware that Edley park had been sold, just leaves them with a big training complex at Carrington then.

From speaking to Sale fans i still think they've embraced the move alot more than we have, obviously the main gripe has been access to / from but this is to be eased pretty soon.

Apart from that they seem to enjoy their stadium experience, what's the difference?

They've been nomads for years, so a modern, settled venue seems more appealing to them. We've just had the loss of a spiritual home, and Salford fans have had trouble adjusting. They make the most out of what's available, we mope around about what we've not got.

Think you've possibly hit the nail there Butcher