Sharks confirm move to Barton
AVIVA Premiership club Sale Sharks have confirmed that they will move to Barton at the end of the current season to ground share with rugby league club Salford City Reds.
The Sharks have signed a 25-year lease at the 12,000-seat City of Salford Community stadium, with an option to review the arrangement after a five-year period.
Blue Square Premier League club Stockport County will remain at the Edgeley Park stadium, which is currently owned by Sharks’ Brian Kennedy through his Cheshire Sports Village company.
The Salford stadium is a joint venture between Salford City Council and developer Peel Group, and opened in February this year at the start of the new Super League season.
Sale Sharks’ co-owner Ian Blackhurst said: “This is a tremendous move for Sale Sharks, and the first class facilities at the Salford City Stadium will provide a great platform as we aim to become one of the top club rugby union sides in Europe.
“We believe that more supporters, sponsors and corporate guests will be attracted by the modern and comfortable surroundings that the new stadium offers.
“The position of the Salford City Stadium at the intersection of a number of major motorways makes us accessible to more people across the North West of England. It is also closer to our historical roots in Sale.
“Edgeley Park has been a real home from home for us since 2003. However, despite it being a really iconic ground, it continues to fail the Professional Game Board’s Minimum Standards Criteria, resulting in considerable additional expense via fines and upgrade work.
He added that Edgeley Park would continue to be “a safe and welcoming home ground for Stockport County”.
“They will still be playing their home games there and they now have the opportunity to control all revenue and costs at the ground as it reverts once again to being a venue solely for football.”
Cllr John Merry, Leader of Salford City Council, said: “We built this stadium because we wanted to have top-class sporting facilities in Salford, and that’s just what we’ve got. Sale Sharks will be a welcome addition to the stadium and will make sure the facilities are used all year round.”
David Tarry, chief executive of Salford City Reds, added: “It is a real boost for the city of Salford to have an elite club from both codes within its boundaries, and playing in what will now be widely recognised as a landmark rugby venue will help to drastically increase the profile of both clubs.
“We would like to welcome Sale to the Salford City Stadium and wish them every success here – if we both thrive as expected it will be a real boost for all concerned.”
