Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen

I come in peace as a Sale Sharks supporter, so please bear with me and hear me out.

Many of you are, presumably, somewhat apprehensive of our arrival at SCS Barton come the Autumn and several of you may even have read some somewhat colourful views about us expressed by a small yet vocal element of Stockport County supporters on both their own Yellow Board and the Glasgow Rangers board, the latter because of Brian Kennedy's interest in that football club.

May I urge you to put aside any prejudices which you might hold based on their respective views? Please take we Sale supporters as you find us, give us the benefit of the doubt and reserve judgement until we have been together for a while. Then, and only then, can you see what we are really like and we can see what you are like!

The vast majority of our supporters are decent people, following our own sport of choice - just as the vast majority of you are decent people following your sport of choice. We have our own small yet more excitable element, as no doubt do you, but they are not representative of the supporter base as a whole. The days of antagonism between Union and League are long gone and the two codes now exist side by side in harmony, as indeed they should.

I would imagine that you had as much say in, and were consulted just as deeply about, your move to Barton as were we - namely, not one single iota. Our respective moves were engineered, for whatever individual reasons, by your Club management and by our Club management. Sometimes, as non-corporate supporters, we seem to be at the bottom of the food chain - but that's life, like it or not.

Nevertheless, i do think that we needed a fresh home from Edgeley Park and I welcome the move (although public transport home on a Friday night is a really serious concern for me), especially after having a look around the stadium yesterday. I had even committed to a three year South Stand Season ticket blind, before I'd even seen the facilities save from the top of the Barton High Level Bridge!

There are several entities involved in the Sale side of things: Sale Sharks supporters, namely me and others like me (but don't let that put you off); Sale Sharks, our team, capable of both entertaining and horrifying rugby on the pitch - often simultaneously; Cheshire Sports, the current owners of the Sharks franchise (I think it is still a franchise); Brian Kennedy and Ian Blackhurst, joint owners of Cheshire Sports; and last but not least, my own Members' owned Sale FC, out of which Sale Sharks developed when professionalism came to Union and who still play at our spiritual club ground of Heywood Road, Brooklands, Sale.

A mistake that some Stockport County supporters make, in my view, is that all those entities are one and the same and totally interchangeable, although Sale FC was mixed up to a lesser extent. This means, in practice, that anything that displeases that minority element, whether or not it might be justified, is therefor the personal and direct fault of any and all Sale Sharks' supporters.

Please do not make that same mistake!

It seems to me that if the respective managements and supporters of Salford Reds and of Sale Sharks work together over the next few months and on into the future, and recognise and respect each others' feelings, heritage and culture, then SCS Barton can become a centre of rugby excellence in both codes and that both Clubs can learn and benefit from each other.

And finally (you'll be delighted to read that word finally) …

I, and a few other Sale supporters if I can generate the enthusiasm, hope to come and watch your next home game against Bradford Bulls at 8:00pm on Friday, 18th May from the South Stand. if you see us, wearing Sale colours, please come and say hello - we don't bite!

I would like to ask that you consider coming to our own game, the final one at Edgeley Park, against Harlequins at 2:00pm on Saturday, 5th May (ticket office 08444 994 994). A group of us are also going for a Greek meal at The Rozafa afterwards so why not come along and join us? it's about 10/15 minutes walk from the ground. [url=http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s101.htm?104,13155018There's a thread on our board[/url (known as The Unoffy) which will include details of final numbers and timings closer to the time. If you want to join us, either post your interest on there, as a reply to this thread on the Turkey or send me a PM and I'll add you to the list.

Let's make this work, one and all!

Regards, and good luck for your season.

iBozz

Speaking for myself I have no issues with the fans from Sale, I actually work with a couple who have been asking questions about the ground and how I have found watching salford there.

Most of us feel that Kennedy is the issue.

Many years ago he was offered the chance to join Red City Developments to build a truly Iconic stadium, he didn't want to put any money in but wanted to reap the rewards.

Personally I see him as a wide boy in the worst sense, a low life, who will try to destroy any other sport or team that stands in his way. This may also apply to Sale if it stands in his way to owing Rangers.

Who are you trying to kid my friend?

Union and League are, and always will be, miles apart. The only thing in common is the shape of the ball.

GET REAL!

Willow: BK might be a concern to you, but I'm pleased to see your agreement that we supporters are not to "blame".

Rooted: Ah, a reasoned and considered response to a genuine hand of friendship, worthy of the extreme elements of SCFC. Rugby and synchronised swimming are miles apart as well, but that doesn't mean they need to be enemies. If I recall, the culprits in the Union/League divide of yore (not the split, but the way it was subsequently managed by the administrators) were Union and not League so why do you feel that that should be carried on? I could, but won't, suggest that you get real yourself.

iBozz,

Thank you for your extended hand of friendship. As you say, as fans of our respective sports we have more in common than we have differences. I think you are being optimistic in saying that the days of antagonism are long gone - after over 100 years of the Union administrators trying to destroy Rugby League by fair means or (mostly) foul it will take a long time before any trust can be built up. The perception amongst league fans of union supporters are as a bunch of upper middle class idiots who look down their noses at the honest working class league followers. It is only by meeting fans that these stereotypes can be broken down (or possibly re-inforced if it all goes wrong). As far as I am concerned you will be welcome at the City of Salford Stadium on 18th May - I hope you and your friends enjoy the game.

This is the key point here and something the two clubs should be pushing.

SCFC? What have Salford City Football Club got to do with anything?

Maybe they should groundshare too



Is Rhodri Giggs still playing for them?

Ibozz ,,,, you make some fair and valid distinctions between the SS fans and the clubs management / owners. You also say "A mistake that some Stockport County supporters make, in my view, is that all those entities are one and the same and totally interchangeable, although Sale FC was mixed up to a lesser extent. This means, in practice, that anything that displeases that minority element, whether or not it might be justified, is therefor the personal and direct fault of any and all Sale Sharks' supporters.

Please do not make that same mistake!"

Fair enough but that has lessened to a great degree, remember that many County fans were aware that we were (and still are) getting shafted so there was always going to be an element of dislike of anything to do with Sharks. Remember that Uncle Dave promised shared fans groups, more consideration of County's history (the skip incident was a disgrace) but all that was spin and PR

and I can't help but laugh when I saw the same tripe being trotted out on the SS message board



You guys are just fans (or customers to SS) and that's fair enough but Salford fans deserve to know whats allegedly gone on at SCFC ... just for info and only time will tell.

County fans have a lot to be angry about (and its not a minority as I suspect you know) but I support you general point in your post that the Reds fans have no need for any issues with SS Fans ...... keep an eye on the club though

John, thanks.

Last spring, a few Sale supporters met up with a few County supporters for a pre-match drink and a chat.

I, alas, had been working that afternoon and didn't have time to get home to change before the match so arrived at The Royal oak, Edgeley, replete in my working clothes: dinner jacket, waistcoat, black bow tie and highly polished shoes. That reinforced all the stereotypes! In explanation, I volunteer at a theatre and had been on "Front of House" dutes that afternoon, usually I'm backstage and am all in black - scruffy, but black!

I'm not sure that Union tried to destroy league, I guess it depends upon from where you see the standoff, but there was certainly a "them and us" mentality when I first joined Sale FC way back in the mid 1960s. I don't see any of that nowadays, though, save in jest.

Wayward: we can't just sit back and wait for the Clubs to do it, we need to seize the initiative ourselves.

meister: I meant County, but shall be more careful in future! I didn't know salford had a football team but, as it is a sport I cannot stand (each to their own), I tend to be blissfully unaware of any and all football clubs!

Union didn't try to destroy League? Did you honestly just say that?

Ibozz

Well done - a good post but you will find a few dinosaurs on here who not only know how to run SC at a profit but also with a full Salary Cap and without a Chairman who has dipped into his pockets for Millions of Pounds over a 30 year period.

However There are many - like me - who have accepted the situation and agree that the clubs have to work together to make it work.

So don't be alarmed when the dinosaurs post on here with their vitriol - its surely now all about how we can make it work for both clubs.

Ibozz Thanks but no thanks i've nothing against you Ra Ra boys but to be honest, i couldn't generate enough enthusiasm to subject myself through the torture of 80 minutes of pure kick and clap boredom, observing the expertise on rucks and mauls which is reminiscent of 18 stone pot bellied pigs rolling around in the mud.

I accept the Sale fans come in peace, but to invite SCR supporters to your fixtures are we then lining the pockets of an impending cloak and dagger? My fear is the supposed co - tennancy debacle. I fear Sale will install phase 2 of the stadium giving them prime tenancy rights, most fans think this too hence the grievance, i sincerley hope Mr Kennedy has intentions of buying Salford i'd much prefer the partnership of Kennedy & Diamond, their input at Sale makes Wilky and Tarry look ijit's. This move definately hasn't worked for Salford yet, and it won't until it's disease is treated, not the symptoms.

I'm only interested in how it works for Salford and at present the pro-Sale mob are still sounding pretty short of answers on that front.

Made me shiver reading that post, ''come over and say hello we don't bite''

No thanks. I remember going on a Sale forum not long back and some of the comments about league were great, just great. I won't be fooled by this let's all work together in harmony bullshit.

You're still good at ignoring constructive posts and points that don't fit into your world view I see.

On a personal note, I probably have more issues with some of our fans who keep telling us how great this move is going to be for Salford without backing it up, rather than any Sale fans. The main target for Salford fans should be attempting to ensure that Salford continue to get a fair deal from the stadium management company once Sale inevitably start attracting bigger crowds and putting more money into the SMC coffers, rather than having cheap digs at the Sale fans.

it is only two years ago when an ex england Yawnian player now teaching at a public was coaching and was being filmed for some BBC ra ra celebration, and one of his charges asked if they could play Rugby League, his reply, "no way that is a game for the working classes."

Thanks for the posting: if you ever have had pre-match drinks in the Old Vic: I am that Rugby League fan.
So why am I worried? Sadly you and we cannot alter the business model of the directors one iota: yours have their mission statement and ours (hopefully) ours.
Sadly we get linked to that mission. So although you may disagree with Kennedy et al in their actions, you are associated with it. As we are with our (no comment on what that is).
I have no axe to grind with County fans (my team leader is home and away fanatic), Sale fans ( I know several and enjoy chatting to them), nor Union (ex De La Salle for God's sake).
I have an axe as Salford Reds is ripe for take-over. So paranoia is setting in.

Oh the rugby balls are different: the official league ball is rounder.

RL was born out of a Nations politics and Class system, and over a century later it still resonates in the modern era. While there is no doubt that modern RU has been softening in its attitude to RL it has been mainly born out of the need to adapt to professionalism and the converting of sport into business. The old divides are still there. The same bias is still evident. You just have to look to see it. A couple of cross-code players and coaches do not make us closer in any way.

Whilst I commend the OP's enthusiasm and optimism, a few cross-code get togethers are unlikely to amount to a revolution of shared fans/resources/finances etc etc. I feel that most Sale and Salford fans are very similar and want the same things, the problem lies where the 'powers that be' in charge of both Clubs see the coming together. Like all people in positions of power, plotting the downfall of rivals is second nature. This is why Salford fans are suspicious.

The fans are not really going to be the problem. They come, they support their team and they go home. If it was about watching both codes and all will be sweetness and light there wouldn't be a problem for some fans of either club. However, having been to Sale on a couple of occasions there is one major issue for Reds fans. The cost is significantly higher to watch Sale, which reflects the amount they can spend on players.

The biggest problem is Brian Kennedy and his rabid pitbull Steve Diamond. Someone posted on here about Salford dinosaurs spouting vitriol. Well the jingoistic claptrap the Diamond has come out with in recent months is what is worrying many Reds fans. When you put that next to what County fans say you can understand the concerns.

The divide will always exist and Union continues to try to destroy League. Steve Diamond said the Sale were aiming to become a Northern super club. "We want to seize Manchester and the North West of England". If he does not mean that to sound like he wants to come in to Salford, take over and dump us in the mire I don't know what does. He also said " It is a great stadium and deserves to have a World class rugby team playing in it". Once again he has a sideways swipe at the Reds! What he fails to admit is that Sale are hardly World Class right now are they? No Heineken cup this year and struggling to get in to the euor shake up for next year.

I took my father-in-law to Edgely Park a few years ago as he is a former Union player with Fylde. We sat there for 80 minutes in silence. It was like going to church. The only time there was any excitement and people actually got off their seats in anticipation of something happening was when a certain Jason Robinson got the ball. That was the last time Sale looked world class and it was down to player who has his origins in Rugby League.

The comments attributed to Diamond in the MEN were very quickly withdrawn overnight and have never resurfaced so did he actually make them of was it just a typical MEN piece with a great deal of poetic license?

lets just say he was extremely quiet during the official press conference at the announcement of the ground share! The MEN has always been a lot more positive about Sale than it is about us. I doubt they would risk damaging the reputation of the club without proper thought.

Quote ="Michigan red"The comments attributed to Diamond in the MEN were very quickly withdrawn overnight and have never resurfaced so did he actually make them of was it just a typical MEN piece with a great deal of poetic license?'" www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... -West.html It was his quote about being able to cherry pick all the best young rugby league talent that disappeared.

Quote ="Michigan red"The comments attributed to Diamond in the MEN were very quickly withdrawn overnight and have never resurfaced so did he actually make them of was it just a typical MEN piece with a great deal of poetic license?'" www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... -West.html It was his quote about being able to cherry pick all the best young rugby league talent that disappeared.

Not bothered reading through the whole thread yet as I'm in work so apologise if things have already been said, but my take on it is....

Rugby Union has been trying to belittle and crush the sport of rugby league for years and I am very wary of Sale because I know what Kennedy, Sale, the RFU and the poor management of our own club could possibly mean for Salford. Sale have already come out and said they want to 'take Manchester and the surrounding areas' and they won't stop at anything to make that happen and if that means trampling over Salford in the process then that's what they will do, because they can with help from the RFU no doubt because they need a successful team up north.

We've worked for 15 years to get a stadium built for Salford RLFC and even though it's not ours anymore the fact Sale can just jump in without doing anything knocks me sick. I've heard at the open day they had on Sunday their fans were already talking about making it 'home', they were even discussing decoration in the concourse, they will be having a fans bar as well and even a statute for outside the ground was talked about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can bet your bottom dollar when Sale start to bring the crowds in and put more money into the SMC coffers then no matter what anyone say's they WILL be given priority over Salford. It'll be us who has to move fixtures around and play into their hands I've no doubt about that what so ever.