SALES SHARKS CEO CALLS FOR TALKS TO CREATE A VIABLE HOME FOR ALL LOCAL CLUBS AFTER SPECULATION THEY ARE LOOKING AT PURCHASING THE AJ BELL

After much speculation on social media regarding the potential sake of the former Salford City Stadium to a third party, Sale Sharks - who have been linked to the deal, have issued a statement calling for talks between Salford City Council and its Co Owners Peel Holdings alongside Salford FC and Salford Red Devils in order to discuss options for creating a 'viable home' for all local clubs.

The Sharks CEO Sid Sutton has also said that at this stage they have tendered no formal offer for the stadium which is currently shared by themselves and Salford's Red Devils.

There have been unconfirmed rumours circulating for some time in the press and on social media that both Salford FC and Sale Sharks were looking at the possibility of jointly purchasing the stadium, news which has left some within Salford Red Devils fearing that their club could be left homeless at some point in the future.

Sale have previously expressed an interest in purchasing the stadium with plans to expand but an earlier offer was declined by CosCos, the joint venture between Salford City Council and Peel Land & Property.

Salford Council have said that they have been approached but as yet no offer has been received and talks are in the early stages at present.

Sale Sharks CEO Sid Sutton, said:

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“It is an incredibly exciting time for the club and our fans at the moment with a talented group of players and staff taking us to a Champions Cup quarter final and a strong position in the Premiership.

“Our club is going from strength to strength and in order to continue this growth it has always been our ambition to own our own stadium. It’s no secret that in recent years we have been exploring options and carrying out due diligence on a number of ways to achieve this. However, at this stage no formal offer has been tendered in relation to the purchase of the AJ Bell Stadium by Sale Sharks.

“I would encourage the facilitation of a public meeting, including Salford City Council, Peel Holdings, Salford Red Devils, Sale Sharks and Salford City FC, to discuss the options for creating a viable home for all local clubs. It is imperative this meeting is based on honesty and openness surrounding the situation, with the aim of providing clarity on the future homing of all concerned clubs.”

 

It may be an exciting time for Sale but for Salford Red Devils fans the news of a potential purchase and the prospects of the club losing its home at the stadium are troubling.