seems sale are wanting out already as the stadium has not "met their expectations"



would this have a positive or negative impact on salford if they jumped ship?

Is this an empty threat to get more favourable terms?

Hopefully Koucash is good on his word and buys the stadium for Salford and cslls Sale's bluff.

Positive, you get rid of sale.

It amazes me that after all these years and all these new stadiums they NEVER seem to get the transport infrastructure right.
All these well qualified traffic planners etc who come up with plans never seem to look at the obvious. Try talking to the locals is a very good place to start.
Anyway the obvious reason why people will not watch Sale is that their game is not exciting nor their team very good. If it was they would go. This applies across all sports.

The issues being voiced there are ones that have been voiced by te very first set of supporters that visited the SCS. The place is an absolute pig to visit.

Getting away from the place, to the unsuspecting visitor, is a nightmare. The stewarding in and around the ground is poor and I agree with Sale - it is not "supporter friendly".

I mean, how difficult is it to have cash turnstyles?

Sale's comments reflect the comments of many visiting fans and tbf, they do need to improve access for supporters (of both codes) or they wont attract sufficient paying customers.

Sale are right in their concerns, but didn't they look into these things when they first moved there? They knew what the stadium was like when they moved from their old home.

Stop playing a e boring sport and you may get people coming to watch you!

Firstly, before anyone starts exaggerating a particular issue can I just say that getting away from the stadium after games is not as big a problem as some people appear to exaggerate. If you choose to park on the on-site car park, then you will be made to wait 15 minutes after full time to allow pedestrians to exit the stadium. It will then probably take you another 15-20 minutes to leave the stadium car park as by this point the majority of car drivers (home and away fans) are waiting to leave at the same time. I have done this many times in the last 3 years and the most I have had to wait is 30 minutes. My advice would be to park on either Barton Airport or Eccles RL if you want to be on your way home within 15 minutes following full time.

The major issue for Sale supporters is access getting into the stadium before their games. As the majority of their support is South Manchester based, they have no choice but to travel along the M60 in rush hour traffic to make Friday evening kick off’s. Without compensating for the already busy traffic in this part of the motorway and any accidents further along the motorway network, 5/6k supporters exiting one motorway junction within the same time period is a recipe for disaster.

Peel Holdings are currently undertaking major access improvement works as part of the Port Salford development which will include a new dual carriageway linking the A57 near the stadium to Trafford Boulevard, providing an alternative route of entry and exit. There are also improvements being made to the existing infrastructure and particularly the roundabout as you exit the M60 with road widening and traffic lights installed.

With regards to whether Sale’s departure will impact on Salford, I would imagine it can only benefit us as it should give us more leverage and power when negotiating with the stadium management company.

First point, there are at least twice as many spectators at a sale game than a Salford game, so therefore there would be twice as much congestion, secondly as SCR play their games on a Sunday afternoon rather than a Friday evening there is far less commuter traffic, finally, as for the M60 being the only choice on a Friday night, that's not strictly true, however at some point they will need to cross the m60 at the single exit that is available for the stadium, that is clearly where the problem lies, if improvements are being made, then all very well, but it's a bit late in the day.
The only thing putting me off going to the Wakey/salford game in 2 weeks is the thought of how bad the traffic will be as the good doctor is promoting the game well and expecting a good crowd, which will have a negative effect on the travelling fans for both sides

No there isnt. Sale are only averaging crowds of 4,800 this season.



No they dont. Since moving to the new stadium, Salford have always (televised games permitted) played their home games on Friday evenings. Only for the forthcoming season will Salford play a number of games against Yorkshire opponents on Sunday afternoons.



Yes it is if you're a Sale fan and are travelling from South Manchester.



They are doing and I disagree it's late in the day. Do you suggest they do nothing and continue with the major access issues we currently have?



What a terrible excuse. It's your teams first game of the season, on a Sunday afternoon when traffic will be at a low. As I mentioned previously there are other options to parking on-site, use Barton Airport or Eccles RLFC as examples.

Oh dear, oh dear - everything you have said in that post is factually incorrect. Maybe you should double check your facts before you come on here posting them.

FWIW - The stadium is awful, but people exaggerate the whole getting out of the stadium situation. The traffic around the stadium can be a nightmare at times, but hopefully the new road layout etc will see to this.

As for Sale moving out, it can only be a good thing. We will have more say on what goes on in the stadium and we will get our club shop back for starters!!!

I went to Leeds' first game there. Had to wait well over an hour in the car par after the game, the crowd was only around 7k IIRC.
I'm not saying I'd never go back again but it does make me think twice.

i have a history of complaining about getting to Barton on public transport
but do not feel Salford's woes are alone in Rugby league. Two I also complain about (if in a car) are:
Leeds on a Friday night during term-time: parking a nightmare.
Hull KR: two narrow roads to queue on whilst trying to get away.

Neither Hull stadii are great if travelling by public transport.


I can only hope Wakefield's new stadium is as easy to get to as Belle Vue.

fair point from sale, well aware of the issues on our visits to the ground

the non cash on the turnstile being the worst! hope its sorted for this coming season?

I don’t think there are any plans to opening a cash turnstile. I’ll never understand why people can’t pick tickets up from their own clubs ticket office in the week(s) prior to the game, buy online from Salford and print the ticket off or buy online/over the phone and pick it up on arrival from reception. It’s quite simple really.

Whilst it's true that since Koukash has arrived Salford have done more to ease pre-purchase by scrapping booking fees and allowing print at home, it really wouldn't be rocket science to have cash turnstiles and the refusal of the stadium company to allow it cannot be defended. As much as Salford RL plead for it, the stadium co seem to trot out an excuse about not having the insurance to take cash on turnstile. The solution therefore is to get the insurance - everyone else has managed to do it - it's blatant penny pinching on premiums.

Funny that, the news article says that crowds have dropped from 8000 to 6000 since moving, now who to believe




Funny that, as over 25% of their home games weren't played on a Friday night, Feb24th sun Apr 27th Sat Apr 13th Sat Jun 10th Mon




So all sale fans live on the same street and come exactly the same way then




No! I'm saying "they've left it a bit late" but you make of it if you want, but may I suggest you try starting with Janet & John before you read any more of my posts




So you know exactly how thing happen in the future, have you got a DeLorean or a TARDIS, can you get me next weeks lottery numbers and the winner of the 3.20 at Southwell?

There is no shortage of parking options if you're willing to park a 15 minute walk from the stadium. I've done it every time I've been to the ground and it's never been a problem.

to be fair, re: the parking, i have been 3 times, once on a coach for the semi final and twice i have driven myself and parked at the airfield, by the time we had walked back to the airfield most of the traffic had dispersed so had little hold ups getting back to the M60.baring in mind that on those 2 occasions there were only 1500-2000 there it might be different with a larger crowd

however i have had issues with the ticketing arrangements which were farcical both times i went for league games,despite arriving at the stadium a good hour before kick off, it took me and a few hundred other giants fans 45mins to get into the ground as most people were unaware you had to buy a ticket before the game, which meant a walk to the other side of the stadium and back,which incidentally, was £2 more than pre bought but yet salford failed to relay this information to supporters.
not only that but the tickets were issued for the north stand and yet the north stand was closed so even more confusion for supporters arriving who didnt know they were in the east stand but had tickets for the north, no one at the stadium or officials of salford relayed this information,it was the stewards who had to tell people to go to the east stand.

i know emails and complaints were sent to salford and they said they were looking into improving this aspect of match day experience.

The time spent on the car park will depend how lucky you get with your parking space. Get stuck behind the away end and you are in for a long wait.

The communication over ticketing and matchday arrangements has been poor as mentioned above. It has been quite unwelcoming all round for many although with the drab concourse areas supposedly getting a sprucing up hopefully things are on the up.

get into perspective you only go once a year . fair play to the fans that will be on there 3rd or 4th visit this yr but you will definately see an improvement , send all complaints to the stadium company , you`ll be doing fans who have to suffer the group 4 idiots for a full season a favour

Went to Wigan's preseason game at Salford 2 years ago and it took about 45 minutes to get off the official car park (there were about 2,000 there IIRC). I've parked on Eccles RL car park for the SL games since with no problems. Though it is a bit of a joke the same problems are an issue when they're about to enter their 3rd season in there. I think this holding cars back to let pedestrians leave is an unnecessary policy, Hudds do it as well and that can be a pig to get away from.

Just to clarify, the stadium isn't owned (yet) by Salford - it is the stadium operating company, under the control of Peel Holdings and Salford City Council, where complaints should be addressed. I'm sure that if Dr. Koukash manages to buy a stake in the stadium he will shake them up a bit, starting with the ticketing issues. Meanwhile keep the complaints coming.

Quote ="Chester J Lampwick"Whilst it's true that since Koukash has arrived Salford have done more to ease pre-purchase by scrapping booking fees and allowing print at home, it really wouldn't be rocket science to have cash turnstiles and the refusal of the stadium company to allow it cannot be defended. As much as Salford RL plead for it, the stadium co seem to trot out an excuse about not having the insurance to take cash on turnstile. The solution therefore is to get the insurance - everyone else has managed to do it - it's blatant penny pinching on premiums.'" I agree it does seem odd, but I don’t think a cash turnstile is necessary to be honest. Obviously it would a little more convenient rather than purchasing a ticket first, but from my experience cash turnstiles aren’t the quickest due to the handling of money. At least with tickets only, it’s just a case of swiping the ticket and you’re through (they’re even slow as this so imagine them having to work out/hand out change etc – nightmare scenario). Quote ="financialtimes"Funny that, the news article says that crowds have dropped from 8000 to 6000 since moving, now who to believe '" The official Sale website should back up my 4,800 average attendance statement www.salesharks.com/rugby/matchce ... xtures.php Quote ="financialtimes"Funny that, as over 25% of their home games weren't played on a Friday night, Feb24th sun Apr 27th Sat Apr 13th Sat Jun 10th Mon '" As I said, televised games permitting the vast majority of our home games are played on Friday nights. Quote ="financialtimes"So all sale fans live on the same street and come exactly the same way then '" No but the majority appear (judging by the complaints on their messageboard) to live in South Manchester/Cheshire, therefore travelling from Didsbury, Sale, Cheadle, Altrincham, Wilmslow etc meaning there is on route of entry and one exit. Quote ="financialtimes" So you know exactly how thing happen in the future, have you got a DeLorean or a TARDIS, can you get me next weeks lottery numbers and the winner of the 3.20 at Southwell? '" Unfortunately not but as I frequent the area quite a bit on Sunday’s I know traffic is generally at a minimum.

Quote ="Chester J Lampwick"Whilst it's true that since Koukash has arrived Salford have done more to ease pre-purchase by scrapping booking fees and allowing print at home, it really wouldn't be rocket science to have cash turnstiles and the refusal of the stadium company to allow it cannot be defended. As much as Salford RL plead for it, the stadium co seem to trot out an excuse about not having the insurance to take cash on turnstile. The solution therefore is to get the insurance - everyone else has managed to do it - it's blatant penny pinching on premiums.'" I agree it does seem odd, but I don’t think a cash turnstile is necessary to be honest. Obviously it would a little more convenient rather than purchasing a ticket first, but from my experience cash turnstiles aren’t the quickest due to the handling of money. At least with tickets only, it’s just a case of swiping the ticket and you’re through (they’re even slow as this so imagine them having to work out/hand out change etc – nightmare scenario). Quote ="financialtimes"Funny that, the news article says that crowds have dropped from 8000 to 6000 since moving, now who to believe '" The official Sale website should back up my 4,800 average attendance statement www.salesharks.com/rugby/matchce ... xtures.php Quote ="financialtimes"Funny that, as over 25% of their home games weren't played on a Friday night, Feb24th sun Apr 27th Sat Apr 13th Sat Jun 10th Mon '" As I said, televised games permitting the vast majority of our home games are played on Friday nights. Quote ="financialtimes"So all sale fans live on the same street and come exactly the same way then '" No but the majority appear (judging by the complaints on their messageboard) to live in South Manchester/Cheshire, therefore travelling from Didsbury, Sale, Cheadle, Altrincham, Wilmslow etc meaning there is on route of entry and one exit. Quote ="financialtimes" So you know exactly how thing happen in the future, have you got a DeLorean or a TARDIS, can you get me next weeks lottery numbers and the winner of the 3.20 at Southwell? '" Unfortunately not but as I frequent the area quite a bit on Sunday’s I know traffic is generally at a minimum.