Salford Red Devils coach Paul Rowley admits the uncertainty surrounding the club’s proposed takeover is hampering his attempts to recruit players for next season. Local businessman Sebastian Gerrard wants to purchase the AJ Bell Stadium and secure the Red Devils’ future at the venue beyond 2023, when their current deal to play there expires.
Salford looked set to leave when rugby union club Sale Sharks, co-tenants at the ground, and football club Salford City proposed last year to purchase the AJ Bell from the local council. However, that move is yet to come to fruition and Gerrard could move in, though his proposal is said to still be at an early stage.
The Red Devils say that Gerrard has also “expressed his interest in potentially investing in the club”, which has one of the smallest budgets in Super League and operates without a benefactor. As Rowley looks to bolster his squad for the 2023 campaign, he admitted: “We're having recruitment meetings every week, but it's really difficult when the future of the club is quite uncertain at this moment in time.
Read more: St Helens youngster set for exit as Super League clubs circle
“Uncertain in a good way because there are potentially some exciting scenarios ahead for the club with the proposed takeover. We're a little bit governed by that – and a little bit hamstrung by that in many respects as well – plus it's Salford so in many respects it's never smooth sailing but recruitment never is.
“We're working towards being in a position like Warrington where, if we're short of middles, we can go out and spend half a million quid! But we're not there yet, so we will do it the hard way."
