SOS Again
Cool picture
By Sarah Braide
July 2 2002
The SOS (Save Our Sale) campaigners met with key Sale rugby and Trafford council figures on Friday in their second Sharks Forum. The aim of Keith Jones, the SOS organiser, was to encourage those in attendance to consider options for keeping the Sharks in Sale.
Keith has as usual produced a report of the proceedings.
Sharks can stay in Sale - until 2004 and beyond?
The second SOS Sharks Forum was held last Friday. This session determined how Trafford MBC, Sharks and Sale RFC can work together to create a local solution that keeps Sharks in Sale for more than the ''foreseeable future''. In fact if all the parties commit, Sharks can stay at Heywood Road until the end of until season 2003/4. This will give time to develop a location that creates a viable, long term home - and that could be Heywood Road, Sale!
SOS Campaign leader Keith Jones explains: "We want Sharks to stay in Sale. We understand the pressures on Sharks to get to 10,000 capacity - we knew from our last session that a move from Heywood looked the only option. But when we first met it was clear that all the parties involved had not sat down together. We wanted to get the three parties involved - Sharks, Sale RFC and Trafford MBC - talking and trying to get a local solution. This last meeting was to push harder for a local solution - and the great news for Sale rugby fans is that there is one, if the desire and committment is shown by all parties.
"Sue Gardiner, President of Sale RFC, agreed to attend this second session and impressed us all on her willingness to present the options to the Sale Members. So now, with all three parties involved we discovered that there is a real and viable opportuntiy to develop a solution right on our doorstep at Heywood Road."
The solution is simple, Keith listed an eight-point plan to keep Sharks in Sale:
1. Upgrade the flood lights at Heywood Road - Sale RFC and Sharks could invest in new lights.
Keith left the meeting with a clear message to Sharks, Sale RFC and Trafford MBC: "Top professional Rugby in Trafford is important to the local economy and compliments our top class teams in Football, Cricket and Athletics - Trafford really is one of this country's major sporting areas. We want this to continue with Professional Rugby staying in Trafford".
Carole Haasan, Chief Executtive of Trafford MBC said: ''A local solution looks achievable but needs working through on Planning, Health and Safety issues and with local residents. The Council, Sharks and now Sale RFC are to test whether Heywood Rd. can be developed to take 8,000 - enough to comply with RFU requirements for the 2003/4 season. The Sale Area Board will involve local people in helping to manage next season and making sure we keep Sale Sharks in the Borough.''
In addition Keith added: "We think that with a bit more creative thinking and investment along the West side of the ground it might be possible to reach 10,000 for 2004/5 as required by the RFU. Brian Kennedy's business risk in taking Sharks from Sale is dramatically reduced if they stay in Sale and build on the existing fan base. As a businessman, I hope Brian Kennedy recognises the real chance to reduce his personal risk and build success through business continuity by keeping Sharks in Sale."
"We have achieved our objectives - we got Sharks talking to the fans through the Fans Forums to be held each month next season, we now understand the business and rugby issues behind the RFU changes and most important we have discovered a way to secure the immediate future of professional rugby in Sale giving Brain Kennedy and his management team the chance to develop a long-term, profitable professional team."
Keith further stressed: "We will continue to press all parties to make this work. But it is now up to Brian Kennedy, Sue Gardiner and Carole Hassan to make this happen - it can be done, it is a viable option all that is needed is the will and belief that it can succeed. Let's make sure we give them our full support - in HEYWOOD ROAD!"
2. Increase the capacity to 8,000 for season 2003/4 by re-building the East Stand and developing The Jim Birtle's stand to accomodate standing as well as seating and with planning, Sports Safety Board and local resident's permission.
3. Work with Trafford to develop traffic and crowd management to avoid congestion around the ground.
4. Consider Park & Ride schemes (as planned at the Commonwealth Games) to reduce congestion and attract fans from further afield.
5. Look at the ticket prices - a season ticket at Sale is under-valued for the quality of Rugby now played and consider Twickenham styled Debenture tickets to raise additional funds for ground facalities development (especially toilets).
6. Develop corporate sponsorship and hospitality - it was confirmed that both of these are running ahead of plan for next season.
7. Build on the fan base already in place in Sale - season ticket sales are now ahead of last year and each fan only needs to bring ONE more along to each game to get to 8,000!
8. Create a viable business plan that secures the financial security of Sharks and Sale RFC - each being rewarded from the additional ticket, sponsorship and corporate hospitality income.