Plans for Salford City FC to move to the AJ Bell Stadium have collapsed. The League Two side had hoped to do a switch with Salford Red Devils rugby league side moving to the football club's Penisula Stadium on Moor Lane, Kersal.
The football club, in a joint bid with Sale Sharks, who already play at AJ Bell, had made an offer for the Barton stadium. But now it has emerged Salford City Council is attempting to buy the stadium outright.
The development is a major blow to Salford City FC, who currently lie ninth in the table. They have progressed well from non-league football since being taken over by members of Manchester United's "Class of 92". but the switch to Barton was seen as essential in order to progress and to expand their small fan base.
Sharks will be able to continue playing at the AJ Bell as they have a 25-year-lease, regardless of who the owners are. Meanwhile, Salford Red Devils have their own ambitions to buy the stadium, via the backing of a local businessman, Sebastian Gerrard.
The MEN understands Sallford City and Sale Sharks made an offer for the AJ Bell Stadium that met the asking price, and was accepted, but in the last fortnight the council informed them the deal was off.
In a statement, Salford City FC said: "We would like to provide an update on our proposed move to the AJ Bell Stadium. As supporters are all aware we have been in talks with Salford City Council for 18 months to purchase the AJ Bell Stadium.
"However, we were informed in the last two weeks by Salford City Council that they will now purchase the stadium outright and that we wouldn’t be considered. Whilst this news came as a surprise to us, we will continue to monitor closely the progression of the purchase, but at this moment our immediate future is to remain at The Peninsula Stadium. There will be no further comment from the club."
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In response to the council's bid to acquire the stadium themselves, Sale Sharks CEO Sid Sutton said: “We will continue to have a long-term home at our stadium, however we can confirm that following 18 months of discussions, our proposed bid to buy the stadium as part of a joint venture has been declined.
“We are now working very closely with Salford City Council to ensure we reach a robust agreement that allows Sale Sharks to both enhance and control the matchday experience for the benefit of our supporters, and benefit commercially from matchday activity.
“We have always maintained that taking control of the stadium is integral to the long-term future of Sale Sharks and that remains the case. But equally, we were clear that we wouldn’t proceed with any course of action until Salford Red Devils have secured a place to play. Salford City Council’s proposed agreement will enable this to happen while ensuring that the stadium remains the home of Sale Sharks.”
Salford Red Devils said in a statement: “Salford Red Devils are aware of the council’s intention to purchase the stadium outright. We are currently in dialogue to secure a long-term tenure that will present the club with the opportunity to increase match day controls and the associated incomes streams to ensure the long-term sustainability of the club.”
A council spokesperson said: “The council and Coscos (stadium company) have been in extensive negotiations with partners about the sale of the stadium - but unfortunately we have not received a proposal which satisfies our aspirations for this great community asset. We are now looking at other future options.
"It is important to note that we have been liaising closely with executives at Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks who are fully briefed. We will provide further updates in the new year.”
In a second documentary on Salford City FC, one of the main challenges highlighted is the Ammies' dwindling attendances. Even before the cost of living crisis, Salford had lost approximately 1,000 fans from their gates.
Despite this, in the new series Gary Neville is seen in the opening minutes looking around the AJ Bell Stadium, the current home of Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils. Capable of holding 12,000 fans, 6,000 more than their Peninsula Stadium, the Class of '92 overwhelmingly feel that the stadium, which is overlooked by the M60, should be the new home of Salford City,
Speaking to the MEN only last month when talks were still ongoing about a move to the AJ Bell, co-owner, Nicky Butt revealed that he remained confident Salford would seal the switch. "We think that we are nearly not too far off," he explained.
"But it is ongoing discussions at the minute. We have to be realistic that fans do have a spare cash shortage to watch football. We are the lowest ticket in the league but we have to understand that it is a tough time for a lot of people right now. A challenge for the staff is how we do get back up to 4 or 5,000 and if we go off to the AJ Bell, how we can kick on again?
"We are still in discussions with the council and appeal [over a move to the AJ Bell]. We are very confident that we will get it sorted out eventually but the time it has taken to get towards the answers we need has been difficult."
Should Salford City get promotion to the Championship their current ground would not be acceptable to the Football League due to its small capacity. But they would have two years to find a new home.
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