Salford reject Super League re-location

Salford owner Marwan Koukash has rejected an offer to re-locate the Super League club.

Owner Marwan Koukash has dismissed an offer to re-locate Salford Super League club.

Koukash, who sought a wide-ranging review to combat dwindling attendances at the AJ Bell Stadium, said he considered radical proposals to re-brand the club as Manchester or move out of the city.

He opted, however, to maintain its tradition and heritage, saying a new crest would have Salford at the top.

"I was presented with a number of alternatives, including financial incentives to move to other cities," Koukash told Press Association Sport.

"But I bought the club as Salford and I have no authority to change it.

"I am only the custodian of the club and the club will always belong to the fans and the community."

Koukash saved the Super League strugglers from financial ruin in 2013 and shortly afterwards added the name Red Devils.

He revealed the club lost STG1.8million ($A3.1 million) in 2014 but said the losses for this year dropped to just STG300,000 ($A509,000). He confidently expected the club to break even in 2018.

"The losses are 15 per cent of what they were in 2014 so we have come a long way from those dark days," said the self-made millionaire.

"The new access road to the stadium will be open soon and there are sponsorship deals in the pipeline which will mean the club will not lose money next year as long as we can average crowds of around 4500.

"If that happens, (coach) Ian Watson will be able to spend the full salary cap and we will be able to build on this season's progress."

After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2016, the Red Devils secured a top-eight finish this year and reached the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Second on the table to Castleford in June, Salford were unable to last the pace and attracted a Super League season-low attendance of 1405 for their last match against Huddersfield.

Koukash is hoping Wednesday's announcement will bring back disillusioned fans, many of whom had reacted angrily to suggestions of a name change.

"I hope keeping the name Salford will bring back the people who have deserted us."


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Source: AAP



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