AS SALE Sharks announce plans to relocate this week, former owner Brian Kennedy admits that the club's move to the AJ Bell Stadium was a mistake.
The Sharks hope to get a community venture approved for a new sports hub at Crossford Bridge Playing Fields in their spiritual home of Sale.
Crossford Futures, with Sale Sharks as an active partner, are consulting with a range of local stakeholders including the community clubs that currently utilise the playing fields, Trafford Council, Cheshire FA and Manchester FA.The 2006 Premiership champions have played at the unloved AJ Bell Stadium, as cotenants alongside Salford Red Devils RL, since 2012 on a 25-year lease.
However, transport problems and a lack of atmosphere have conspired against the move being a success.
In the last of their nine seasons at Edgeley Park, the Sharks' average home gate in the Premiership was 7,900 – 23 per cent more than for the six home league games that took place at the AJ Bell before the current season was suspended.
“With the benefit of hindsight, it was a mistake, but I can still understand the reasons why we made the move,” said Scotsman Kennedy, the money man behind the Sharks' title triumph.
“Edgeley Park had its own challenges – the stadium needed a lot of investment – and to be able to go to a brand spanking new stadium was too much of a draw.
“However, we didn't anticipate the transport problems wouldn't be resolved for the period it has taken.” Steve Diamond, Sale Sharks DoR, is hopeful the move will happen.
He said: “Sale Sharks have always had a vision to return to our hometown, bringing the club closer to the original fanbase and the communities in Sale.
“As part of the plans for Crossford Bridge, we not only have a chance to establish a long-term home for the club, but there's also a real opportunity for our men's and women's teams to inspire the next generation of sporting talent.
“Everyone at Sale Sharks is extremely excited about what this could mean for the club's future. We will be bringing our fans along this journey with us and inviting them to tell us what they would like to see from our potential new home.”
