I had heard these rumours for a while but now it seems the press have as well since in todays Sun (which has just been shown to me) Koucash wants to take over Swinton Lions, now there's a turn up for the books.

Always said the good Dr was a top chap.

You must have been on the road to Damascus,looking for a new stadium,to have such a conversion from your earlier opinion.


His interest in another club,other than Oldham,was rumoured but seemed to await confirmation from the RFL.
It would mean an interest in 3 clubs in 3 separate leagues depending on the restructuring and on promotion/relegation.
[url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/rugby_league/5235959/Top-of-the-league.htmlSun Headline[/url

The Sun comic has been known to be wrong before.

Great news for swinton i think and for the developement of rl in the salford borough

I may well get down to watch our A team on a few occasions......up the Doctor.

There are other developments which I have heard but I don't think it's the right time to post them just yet.

WIth him being linked to Oldham as well i dont think theres much doubt he wants to box manchester in

At a time like this, our thoughts must really go out to Spelly. To think that his beloved Swinton could become part of Marwan's Salford RL empire will have his head spinning round, like that girl in The Exorcist. I hope that other Swinton fans will stick around to help him through this difficult period.

Rochadale watch out then.

that would make total sense if he wants a manchester dynasty wouldnt it?.
Manchester suburbs playing out of Salford?.
Bring it on i say,it would be brilliant for the sport

Thinking about this news and some of the statements on here I truly hope that in taking on Salford, Swinton and Oldham and then if he was to look at Rochdale it then wouldn't lead to the formation of a Manchester RL Team as that would be devastating to all four clubs.

Would Swinton, Salford and Oldham fans come to watch the rugby if he does merge us in to a team though.I doubt alot of people will

I know its all speculation and doesn't really concern me, but, as a genuine RL fan, I don't think that this is a good idea.

At one level there doesn't seem to be a bar on an owner operating clubs at different levels different CEO's different focus? Fine but in this scenario, does that then limit where the Lions and Roughyeds compete, at a time when the powers that be are exploring a one game concept again with P&R?

At another level, perhaps the two weaker teams become feeder clubs and at another ulimately it's hello Greater Manchester Devils and you are all expected to traipse up to 'No Boundary Park' especially if he can't get his hands on the A J Bell?

Sounds like he's heading towards a Manchester Super Club.

I have lost count the amount of times Marwan has confirmed he has no plans what so ever to change the name of Salford and create a Manchester club. He is proud of our history and heritage, hence the name change back to Red Devils.

Keep the faith

Fishing expeditions can't be very satisfying when they're queuing up to swim into your keep net.

As I understand it Koukashes interest in Swinton is instead of Oldham as it seems talks have stalled with the Roughyeds!

Seems more worry from Wire fans coming on here panicking they'll lose their feeder club ..
I think the owner can answer the rest

Re Name
"Not to worry about the new name of the Stadium. We will always be called SALFORD RED DEVILS" -

"the name Salford will never be dropped as long as I am in charge. That is a promise."

Re Development
"we need feeder clubs mate"

"Success of the first team, will generate interest in more youngsters wanting to join us and they will be the future of the club"

ok....

To be honest, from a business and marketing point of view, changing your name from a Salford one to a Manchester one is an absolute necessity.

Salford, and I think you will probably already be familiar with it, doesn't have the best reputation outside its own diocese.... Marketing the Manchester name nationally (and globally) would be a darn sight easier than trying to sell Salford, especially to highly paid Aussie stars.

I think Koukash knows that and seeing he is all about wanting to make the most of any business potential, I think a marrying of two or three Greater Manchester clubs into a powerful 'Manchester' club, based in Salford, makes total sense.

I'm not a native Salfordian, so it's best for me to advise you of what will happen next in reply to this post...

...Be prepared. They have a big chip on their shoulder with regards to this. I'm not agreeing with you btw. The likes of Wigan and Huddersfield and even Warrington don't figure highly in the International mindset per se. Those names have and still are being built on in a RL sense and it has done them no harm. Let Salford do it the proper way and build their profile like all the others.

I agree with you with regard to other places like Wigan and Warrington, however, you get the impression that Koukash isn't really just aiming for something trivial like Super League domination.... I think he wants to build some sort of sporting superbrand, incorporating his horse racing, RL, football and possibly even more.

As for the chip on the native's shoulders - Surely even they are aware that recently Salford is more known for its criminal fraternity than any of its sporting acheivements?..... I'm simply being a devil's advocate in pointing this out and suggesting that becoming a Manchester brand would make them a lot more marketable.

Poor taste post man. My Family are from Salford and are not crooks and neither are most who live there. I don''t care how unmarketable Salford is - they are our team and a successful side might just help lift up the city. I hope Dr K can help Swinton too as it would make the whole Rugby League scene grow in the area.

It actually makes no sense to be honest, it would merely dilute rugby league further. Swinton, Salford, Oldham and Rochdale all have proud histories which merging wipes out there is no evidence that respective fans would embrace the brand Manchester.
The failure of all four clubs in recent years has been down to progressive mismanagement resulting in all four clubs loosing their spiritual homes but still fans watch them, fortunately for Salford they are now in a strong financial position and they should be allowed to develop any potential and hopefully they will.
Marketing of Salford will be what it will be but to suggest it's difficult due to the name and incidents of crime is a slur on the good people is Salford of whom there are thousands. I will always class myself as a Swintonian and am proud to do so just as all the Salford fans on here are.

To be fair Sir John Hall the former Newcastle owner tried all this years ago and he failed aswell and Newcastle was then an infinitely bigger brand than Salford Swinton oldham.

I remember at the time he was owner of Newcastle united, Newcastle falcons RU, Newcastle Eagles (basketball) and this...

plus he renamed the Durham wasps ice hockey team to the Newcastle cobra's and moved them from Durham to Newcastle....similarities between Salford and Manchester dont need explaining... it killed the club stone dead.....

but I remember seeing a picture of Kevin keegan And John hall next to that car above and it all looked a very grand idea......

it killed one club, the other clubs and the car were and are still crap.