It may seem bleak to us currently,and we have felt this way for a while. but I do things will become clearer soon & hopefully be good news. It does not seem just 12 months since Sallford loyal fans suffered the same way. Interesting how The Manchester Evening News see's it today.
"What a difference a year has made for Salford Red Devils
By Neil Barker:
6 Dec 2013 11:18
A year ago Salford Reds were facing an uncertain future, now they are the Super League's richest and most ambitious team. Salford Reds fans were packing a church in Pendleton and praying for a Christmas miracle this time last year.
Many believed the writing was well and truly on the wall for a club in crisis and starved of cash.Former chairman John Wilkinson addressed the fans’ meeting and appealed for a wise man with major new investment plans to come forward.
One very wise and wealthy man did eventually answer Salford’s SOS.Wilkinson’s 30-year reign had unfortunately come to a very sad end. He fought back the tears as he explained the club’s precarious position. He left the meeting a broken man.Wilkinson and vice chairman Howard Clague had invested a small fortune into building their own stadium and developing the team but were victims of the economic recession.Their dream never materialised but they bravely soldiered on until things came a head last Christmas when something had to give.
The church meeting was the last time many fans would see Wilkinson – the man affectionately known as Mr Salford.As a proud Salfordian, Wilkinson often talked of his desire to leave a lasting legacy of his time in charge. For those who prayed in Pendleton, this was now a pipe dream. They resigned themselves to thinking the game was up for Salford. Wilkinson never really felt at home after the club’s move to Barton from their traditional 110-year old Willows base. Fans rightly admired Wilkinson for the way he had bankrolled and worked wonders to keep Salford afloat, but everyone knew last Christmas that time was up. Change was called for.
Players and investors put both the boot and the knife in by demanding money they claimed they were owed. Wilkinson and his associates were in a hole, and there was no way out. He had been a fine ambassador not only for Salford but for rugby league, yet Reds’ troubles and problems were plentiful at the end. It all proved too much.
Wilkinson suffered a crushing body blow when a cash bail-out plan by the local council never materialised. In stepped the Rugby Football League.
Even they had their reservations about Salford being strong enough to start the 2013 Super League season. RFL chief executive Nigel Wood had already saved Bradford and knew he needed to bring someone of substance to the table to rescue the Reds. Wood’s wise man was, of course, North West racehorse owner Marwan Koukash. ‘Marwan who?’ asked many success-starved fans. Koukash’s flamboyant style was in stark contrast to the guarded, parochial and somewhat pedantic manner of his ageing predecessor.
Nevertheless, Wilkinson wished Koukash well. The new owner quickly won over the fans and this time last week, Aussie superstars Billy Slater and Greg Inglis made it their business to meet in person the man who has already had a huge impact on rugby league. Koukash made his intentions for Salford clear to the Aussie public when he was Down Under for the Melbourne Cup. Koukash has overseen a remarkable transformation of the Reds in the twelve months since coming on board and boldly vowing to make Salford one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Wigan, Leeds and Warrington all sense he means business on and off the field and are looking over their shoulders. Koukash has certainly put his money where his mouth is. Christmas came early for many Salford fans this year. Fans who remember Salford’s heady days of the 1970s have quickly likened Koukash to Brian Snape a fellow visionary who also went out and signed the very best.
Twelve months on, fantasy is now reality as owner Koukash embarks on a mission to make Salford great. Those close to Koukash say he is a man who always gets what he wants. His early impact on Salford and Super League has certainly been huge. Up to now, Marwan Koukash appears to have ticked all the right boxes. He knows Salford need to deliver on the field. With a strong squad assembled, most of Koukash’s time is currently taken up touring Salford inviting more people to feel part of the club.
Right now, Koukash is the one hoping his own prayers are answered with the building of Salford’s fan base paramount to his long-term plans"Quite a few parts of the story, seem similar to ours, wonder if our story will end the same?
