Salford surpass six-figure sum in new share offer campaign
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Salford have raised more than £100,000 within the first week of their new share offer campaign, which will see them become the first community owned Super League club.
It was revealed last week that the Red Devils were giving individuals the chance to purchase a share in the club’s holding company, now a so-called Community Benefit Society.
A share enables fans to vote at the AGM and stand for election to join the holding company’s board.
Red Devils managing director Paul King said: “It is a positive sign to be starting week two of the campaign with £100,000 already raised.
“We are seeing support from all over. We have seen investment from our supporters, those that have not engaged with us in a while, members of our immediate community in and around Salford, as well as from the wider world.
“What is so important here is that we regain the momentum that we saw earlier on in week one and we push on towards our initial target sooner than later.
“The amount of positive work we can do within the club and community do if we reach towards our upper targets is exciting to say the least.
“To those who have got involved already – thank you for supporting our club and for helping make history. To those who haven’t yet, we hope you join us. Let’s write another chapter here together.”
Salford have set their initial target of raising £250,000, so the first week has sent them well on their way to achieving their desired figure.
Salford to become Super League’s first wholly community-owned club
A range of options are available for fans, ranging from £100 to more than £10,000, though regardless of investment, any individual is only eligible for one share of the vote.
Salford have defied the odds in recent years, reaching a Grand Final and Challenge Cup final as massive underdogs.
Two of the last four Super League Man of Steel winners have done so at Salford, with current incumbent Brodie Croft penning a momentous seven-year deal to stay at the AJ Bell Stadium in the off-season.
It is hoped that by turning to community ownership, Salford can start to compete further on an even playing field.
On announcing the historic share offer, the club said: “When you buy your share, you will be making Salford Red Devils the first elite Rugby League club in the world to become a community owned through a community benefit society.
“We want to be a progressive, sustainable Elite Super League club, which consistently achieves success on the field, engages our community and inspires the next generation through inclusive role models and opportunities for all. With your help, we can achieve this, and be the only genuinely community owned club in the Super League, where instead of being bankrolled by millionaires, we’re backed by multitudes from Salford, from Greater Manchester and by those much further afield.”
The only other fan-owned club currently competing in the professional rugby league pyramid is Hunslet. Their supporters took over the club in 2012 and voted against returning to a hybrid supporter/investor ownership model back in 2020.
Rochdale had been fan-owned between 2010 and 2020, before the current owners agreed a deal to take over the club.
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