[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/09/salford-city-reds-dr-koukashNew owner wants salary cap raised[/url



Andy Wilson report above from the Observer

Be nice if it could happen but cant see it as the support we get through gates at moment at every super league club are struggleing finacially and and would create a competion where big clubs get larger and small clubs struggle. It would become a two tear league again

When MK started making noises to this effect I was quite worried but at least the jump isn't a large one. It's a reasonable ask I think.

To "their" cap? as in only Salfords? thats how that quote reads to me.

Not a chance. Think about it? How would you have felt pre Dr Cash turning up and other clubs could spend more and you didn't have the cash to splash? You could also have been the victim as in the past of BIG clubs taking your players

. That would have left you further behind. Don't get me wrong if the cap goes up Mr Moran will arrange a Take That concert and we will buy the world.

I can see opinions being split on this. Some people will welcome big new investment in the sport and like to see a more competitive Salford enhancing Superleague. (Sooner rather that later) Others will look at it purely from an angle of how it may negatively affect their club.

Genuine question - does anyone know what the bloke is a doctor of?

Electrical Engineering I think I read somewhere.

Elecrical engineering or something like that

Elecrical engineering or something like that

Electrical engineering or something like that

Provided the Dr does not seek repayment beyond what he paid for the club for the seasons in which he does this, I for one would be glad to see him given this opportunity for say 3 years. Let's see if Salford can function and be revitalised on an enhanced salary cap and use the outcome to decide if the SL for every club in SL should be raised.

Are Salford genuinely being hindered by the cap at this moment in time?

Ridiculous request to see the least basically asking if they can cheat. Lost time? Ok had issues but you have been in SL for the past 4 years.

The doctor has gone from making some really positive noises early on to some quite concerning ones lately IMHO. For example this move doesn't really balance the 'we won't over pay for players' lines he was coming out with. This year may have its ups and downs on the field but first he needs a coach and then to really start building for 2014.

If the problem is attracting quality players to make the jump to Salford (Without paying players over the going rate) and you have the money why not come at it from another angle and provide the best facilities and perks in the game for the players. For instance, the best and biggest coaching/backroom setup, the best training facilities, best dressing rooms, sponsored luxury cars, warm weather training breaks, best travel coach etc, etc. Offer potential targets the same as they are getting at other clubs but make the working environment far superior.

I think we'll in the off season be able to provide all the best training. I can see with the close links now to the NRL that we'll do what Warrington did a couple of years ago and head down under for a pre season in the heat rather than over here (I always firmly believed until Alker ruined it that we were better prepared and started the season better when we went to Florida).

As for the actual training facilities over here if the Doc gets his wish to buy into the stadium and some of the surrounding land we'll see dedicated training facilities second to none in SL.

On the coaching think that if we do bring in Noble one things for sure that he'll identify the need for a dedicated defensive coach, pretty obvious to me that having Long as the attacking coach works very well so why not replicate that for the defense. I would also expect soon that the fitness side of things will come under scrutiny to make sure we have got the best possible choices.

..... fairly certain he was my lecturer in Electrical/Electronic engineering back when it was still Liverpool Poly (Byrom Street) in the late 80's.

He's done better (financially) than me since then ..... but I've got more hair on my head!

Back on topic ..... does he really not know how to get 'round the salary cap? The RFL leaves holes in the rules you could drive a Lambo through .... even an orange one !!!

Salford WILL have to pay over the odds to draw in top grade signings over the next two seasons. We would have to pay more to attract a player to Barton than other teams would to attract them to a Headingley , the DW or the HJ .
He can pay what he wants for a Tim Sheens or a similar ' name ' coach but they will want a war chest to buy a spine of quality to go with the better squad players & youth we already have .
In order to get that quality , He's tried the we won't be forced to pay over the odds tactic , but he knows in truth he will have to.
They've tried the' don't just join a club used to winning -thats easy - become a Salford Legend , kickstart a dynasty ' Churchillian speach ' .
Salford have never spent to the salary cap in their history in SL , the RL wants a successful competing Salford , the Owner wants a competetive team in double quick time and he's pushing the envelope to see what give there is?

In the end if Salford get a raise, then everyone gets a raise and so the players will stay where they are.

Salford may prise some players away from clubs that can't afford the cap now, but that's not really the player they are aiming for.

The other thing to keep in mind, the money for these players, is it a gift from the Good Doctor or a debt held against the club. If it's the first all well and good, if it's a loan from the Dr. then whose to say whether it will just leave Salford in the same position, with Debts that the crowds can't pay????

Sorry, but I just don't follow your reasoning.

Dr K has created a new company and injected cash, by what means, until the first accounts are published none of us know. Presumably as share capital and/or loan capital, I would rather doubt whether any money is in there as a "gift", how many businesses do you know funded by gifts?

His stated aim is to make the club self-sufficient by establishing other income streams, hence he wishes to have the club/company own the stadium and the land around it so that other developments by and for the club can happen - IMHO a very sound business strategy.

Now, should the strategy fail, should the crowds not materials and should the other developments not happen, then clearly, yes the Doc will be owed money (either shares or loans) that the company will not be able to pay and yes we would be back in the position we were in at Christmas - but that is just stating the bleeding obvious (and is no different for any other club or business that can't generate the required income) - or is your comment more subtle and I've missed the point completely?

I think the Doctor realises that the club isn't going to improve on the pitch or see an increase in attendances or income streams without substantial investment in the playing squad. Let's face it a struggling team and being 400K under the salary cap isn't going to get fans queing at the turnstiles.

The owner mentioned part of his plan was to buy the stadium and some surrounding land, he then wants to build something on it to provide the club with an outside income stream to supplement his long term plans.
I think buying the stadium from Peel/Council will be complex and protracted so I think his initial focus is to invest in the team and support this with his own finances. The stadium purchase and development is something I see happening further down the line. My view is any money the doctor invests will be loans with an intention of recouping his money at some point in the future.

I think I`m right in saying that in the NRL there is a Carry forward of unspent salary cap from previous year(s). In which case surely the Doctor has a very good point.

My guesstimate is Salford have spent approximately £6-7 million less on player wages over the 15 seasons we have competed in Superleague.

He said he won't be a sugar daddy so it'll be the Club racking up any debt which is as it should be.
If the whole project fails,and I don't think it will, then we are no worse off than we were before he stopped us going tits up,and he will have given it his best shot.
As to the salary cap,and as a lifelong supporter,I can't see any good reason why we should be made a special case.
If it increases for all clubs,then that's obviously a different matter

For the cap to be increased how many clubs would need to vote it through?

From what I garnered from Wilky's meeting at the church, we (they/he/the overdraft) spent £450,000 over the usual budget on player salaries for the 2011 season, probably taking us to the cap. Bloody frightening I know.



Even if it's a 'gift' in all but name it still has to be accounted for as BF says. Otherwise you're knocking on the gates of bung city.



If it's like other voting decisions, a small majority is required. 8 would do it. But I also imagine the RFL could veto it.