Salford deny Leigh groundshare reports

Salford have denied reports linking them with a possible move to Leigh’s new stadium.

There had been rumours of a possible merger between the Reds and the struggling Championship club, who yesterday announced Ian Millward would be taking over at the club in 2010.

Salford are struggling to formulate their plans for a new stadium amidst a further setback which means it’s unlikely they will be in a new ground in 2010 as originally planned.

This has led to reports that they might seek a groundshare with Leigh to ensure they meet minimum standards in time for the next round of Super League licences in 2012.

Chairman John Wilkinson: “It is not something we would consider and I can assure you I have not spoken to anyone at Leigh. I don’t think anyone at Leigh has spoken to anyone here either.”

Plans to move to a new 20,000-capacity stadium have been hampered by a number of problems since the project was first revealed four years ago.

The latest setback concerns the Reds’ major partner, Salford City College, who intend to build a campus on the site but have failed to secure funding from the Learning Skills Council (LSC).

Wilkinson knows that the new stadium is vital to the Reds’ future.

“I’m proud of our ground but it is 108 years old,” he continued. “For a 108-year-old ground I don’t think there is anything better in the UK but we need better.

“The new stadium is a legacy I would like to leave behind for Salford for generation after generation.”