Salford RL reflect the city in that respect. I mean, what is Salford, really? As much as I respect and will defend to the hills the identity of a place against its "administrative oppressor" such as Leigh re: Wigan, Castleford re: Wakefield, even St Helens re: Liverpool.

It seems Salford (the place) has lost the battle, and I can't tell where Salford starts and Manchester ends both geographically and spirituality. Therefore any love for RL is going to decline.

Any Salfordians care to put the record straight?

I agree that part of the problem that Salford faces beyond other RL 'towns' (yes I know that it's a city) is the definition of Salford itself and its identity.

Although a Warringtonian, I have lived in various parts of the city for many years and would suggest that its relationship with Manchester isn't exactly like Leigh and Wigan. From an administrative POV they are separate authorities after all, although I do concede that there is an economic pull that Manchester exerts over Salford and of course more than a passing interest in both United and United reserves for many Salfordians.

I think that the biggest hurdle in establishing Salford as a community club lies in the make up of the city itself, it's a big place and for mine, the trick will be to engage with and attract people in geographically diverse places such as Cadishead, Worsley and Broughton in addition to re engaging with people from areas that were probably the mainstay of support at the Willows, the folk that could walk to the old ground from Weaste, Seedley and the Height.

You only have to follow the forum chatter on the state and location of the Stadium to realise that this is no small task as far as support is concerned. However, you do wonder if Koukash's interest was sparked initially by that very thing and other potential development opportunities? Perhaps the reticence of other wheeler dealers to play ball with him, might be colouring his view on his longer term commitment?

Anyone who crafts a team mascot in his own image is unlikely to be the level headed type of owner needed to grow a club from the bottom up.

He's in it for quick wins, hype and media profile together with a bit of a messiah complex as the saviour of Salford. He's now upset his master plan appears to be not quite as masterful as he thought.

I'm all for people with money coming into the game. But that doesn't mean you can't point out flaws, nor does it mean that all money men are automatically a good thing. The right thing for Salford may have been to rebuild in the championship and hope to come back stronger, in a way that Bradford hopefully will. I still think they'll end up there fairly soon after koukash decides he's bored and fancies the more glamorous nrl.

Salford may well end up in a worse place for his stewardship - who knows. I hope not.

Salford are already in a worse place, but that had nothing to do with Koukash and everything to do with whoever chose the site for the new stadium. Koukash's money at the Willows would have been a far easier sell.

The Willows was a dump. It had no use for developing a club. The problem with the new stadium A. J. Bell is its location combined with lack of easy access.

The only solution is for Dr Marwan Koukash to build a large commercial retail with ample parking beside the stadium, and to get permission for a private Dubai-based company to create a light rail system that accesses the stadium from central Manchester and Salford Quays. Then you will find the attendances at A. J. Bell rising precipitously.

It's going to require patience but the site of the AJ Bell will get better if all the planned developments between Trafford Centre and Irlam go ahead. Peel Holdings have submitted planning for "Trafford Water" which will bring a lot more housing and amenities to the area while the road networks are also being vastly improved with new bridges over the canal. Unfortunately I don't think Marwan will stick around for long enough to see it, which is a shame as I do think with a bit of luck Salford have potential to be a top 4 team

Yet again way off the mark! "Build a large commerical retail centre" with one of the largest in the Europe less than a mile away? "Dubai based company to build a light rail link too it". The bridge to connect the stadium to said retail development is in construction and funding has been approved ( and initial ground work started) for said light rail link (ie tram). I assume Toulouse and Catalan have same infrastructure (as you demand) underway?

JC I'll not bite as you have no idea of land ownership nor planning nor economic constraints on location.

Please google PEEL HOLDINGS
and check on their hold on most land from Eccles to Liverpool.
Then check their history of selling and their attitude to opposition setting up next to their land.

Toulouse already has one of the best metro rail systems in the world, which goes direct from city centre to a station right across the street from the Toulouse Stade des Minimes. Do you think that the French are as stupid as the English in that they would build a major sports stadium without public transport connections right to the gate?

This^^^^^^^

Surely he can either make an unignorable offer for the AJ Bell or simply just buy some wasteland and build their own 12,000 seater stadium?
Langtree park cost £25 million to build, surely old money bags could afford to spend that, stick his hotel/conference on the end?
Nope...he'd rather tell everyone how HE knows best and how the GAME is to blame for his club underperforming on and off the pitch......

SHUT UP KERMIT - U ANNOYING T1T

Yawn, if only it was that simple. Whilst I am sure Marwan could afford to do both of your suggestions, do you really think Salford City Council (who own 50% of the AJ Bell Stadium) would grant planning permission for another 12,000 seater stadium in the City? The answer is short is no, because then the AJ Bell would a white elephant and their entire investment would be for nothing. They also wouldn't sell it to him either, because it is only now the land is being developed upon around the stadium that Salford City Council are receiving some of the income they initially expected to make the whole thing viable.

Marwan will never have a stake in the NRL as word has already spread about the Tony Puletua fiasco, Frank his brother has a good reputation within the NRL decision makers.

News will be out sooner or later as a host of his other starts are also not being paid and the RFL are already investigating, unfortunately what it brings to light are some of the ways his early comments about salary cap rules being bent have actually caused major unrest.

I wouldn't expect many contract extensions being announced soon a the Devils.

Yet they can't build a decent league of their own and need to piggy-back the "stupid" English, who despite their stupidity have a full time proffesional league despite the same up hill struggle against the might of Union and Media apathy/bias as the French.

The stadium's location is certainly not ideal. But this issue is relegated to minuscule importance next to NOT OWNING SO MUCH AS A TOILET SEAT OF IT.

If I were a new Salford fan I'd want an official investigation held into the club's finances in the eighteen months leading up to the move. How did the club go from leaving The Willows holding the title to a substantial chunk of real estate and yet somehow end up at the new ground empty handed?

"holding the title to a substantial chunk of real estate"

They did not.
We went to Barton with considerable debts which the new stadium made worse so almost went under. The Willows had been sold to (from memory) Austin Wilkinson (I could be wrong) and the Willows club went bust.
The club had been going downhill (from an accountants' point of view) for many years. It was reflected on the field.

From rumours I get from money men, other fans need to be careful as so are some other clubs.

Oh ... I'm QUITE SURE you did. And I'd like to see the size and nature of those debts (in detail) because something hasn't added up at that club for a long, long time.

well they did think a little concrete wall would stop Hitler

It did. The trouble was that it wasn't long enough so the Germans went round it.

Without knowing any details I'd imagine Salford were in a somewhat similar position to Wakefield. I'd imagine they'd borrowed against the stadium (The Willows), or maybe even sold it, in order to fund the ongoing costs of the club for several years prior to selling it and moving.

I may be wrong but that's the impression I get from it all, as it seemed like Salford had been struggling financially for a while.

I just hope other clubs haven't done the same thing. There's nothing wrong with borrowing against assets, but it should be to invest, not fund the club for a few years.

It's a matter of public record that The Willows was sold quite some time before the club left it and the club then continued at the ground by renting it back.

I'm not at all sure what Mugwump is alleging - you can easily go to Companies House and retrieve the audited accounts for the club (£1 a shot!) and the Land Registry will show you details of ownership.

But hey - let's not do that, let's just fling aspersions about - it's far easier. Mr Mugwump I suggest you might like to put up or shut up?

Oh ... pardon me for believing Salford's recent history raises far more questions than answers (and that's BEFORE we include the entire Koukash fiasco).

Financial mismanagement - or worse is nothing new in RL. So don't expect people to believe such at Salford is completely beyond the realms of all possibility.

Was that crack I heard your nose breaking out of joint? I guess so.

I'm not sure what the ramifications are for the RL club but their parent company MKAC Investment Partners Ltd (directors Marwan Koukash and Andrew Chalmers), who are the 100% shareholders in the RL club, were struck off by Companies House earlier this week for not filing accounts or doing their annual return.

Is Rugby League about to experience its own Allen Stamford fiasco?