The Virtual Terrace • Salford Reds Being forced out of their home?
wrencat1873 wrote:
Totally agree.
Salford "could" have made a success of the AJ Bell, apart from the very hefty rent and the parking debacle, which will have turned away many new and returning fans.
There were 7000+ in the early days at the new ground but, with a 2 hour wait to escape after the game, why on earth would anyone want to do thet, especially when, at the time, they weren't exactly setting the world alight on the pitch.
They've been unlucky yo make 2 major finals with fans not being able to attend and with that lost all of the potential gain, in terms of both revenue and increasing their fan base, which will have been like the proverbial kick in the gonads.
As a visiting fan, The AJ Bell is pretty easy to get to and the facilities are plenty good enough but, the costs of playing there seem prohibitive.
I wish them well but fear the worst and let's face it, RL cant afford to lose ANY clubs
TBH I think we only ever had one 7000+ crowd (Wigan maybe?) but I'm honestly not sure. It's been hard to keep fans and, as you say, the relative success of appearing in 2 major finals and potential new fans has been completely pi$$ed on by COVID. Throw in the fact that we have to pretty much rebuild half our squad every year and it's only the hardcore fanbase that has survived.
The 2 hour wait (I'm not sure it was ever that bad tbh) has long gone (has anyone tried to get away from Headingley recently?!) but a lot of away fans have stayed away. I appreciate we shouldn't be relying on away fans but it's a fact that some of the supposed big clubs have brought pi$$ poor followings. Sale and Salford City will have control over all food & beverages (a revenue stream that we never had) and will no doubt also use the stadium for concerts & other events that the Council & Peel never bothered with. The stadium has been poorly managed full stop.
Anyway.... IF Moor Lane passes SL criteria I think it might be a blessing in disguise. The club will be able to rebuild with reduced overheads. We've actually got some great people in charge at the club in Salfordians Paul King & Ian Blease and the new Commercial Director has started to open a few more doors. The Foundation is starting to develop potential players of the future and we've got partnerships in place with Wales RL & Coleg y Cymoedd and have recently partnered with the Ipswich Jets over in Aus. We can't be losing our best local talent (6 from Eccles recently signed for the mighty Wire) and the club are trying to stop that player drain. There is also a lot of work going on in the local schools to attract young fans and I believe the Junior Devils is being relaunched (the scheme that suckered mugs like me into watching the club 32 years ago
).It's not all doom and gloom despite what the naysayers might say.
Statistics: Posted by SaleSlim — Mon Oct 18, 2021 10:01 pm — Replies 36 — Views 1588