Superfan Seb ready for Devil of a fight
THE businessman trying to take over Salford Red Devils says the club can become a Super League force.
Sebastian Gerrard, a boyhood Salford fan, is in talks with Salford Council despite a rival bid made up of Sale Sharks and Class of 92-owned Salford City FC.
Cash-strapped Salford were considering a move to Moor Lane, the current home of the city’s football club, which is co-owned by Gary Neville.
But Gerrard now hopes to secure the Super League club’s future at their current AJ Bell Stadium home as part of wider plans to make the Devils a rugby league powerhouse.
He said: “Our objective is to keep the stadium in use for the community.
“We want Salford to keep playing here, we’d like to bring Swinton Lions and a host of other community events and concerts to the facility.
“‘‘We are in discussions but I’ve got a view of either taking over or getting quite heavily involved in the club in different ways.
“The management structure is great, but they’re struggling on the financial side and that’s where I can help.”
Talks are ongoing regarding the purchase of the ground but Gerrard insists moving to Moor Lane is not a viable option for Salford.
“A move to Moor Lane could be the death of the club,” he said.
“It’s OK saying improvements are subject to planning but we know how difficult that process is after the football club attempted to do it.
‘‘If it didn’t happen the ground wouldn’t meet Super League standards, they’d be forced out and that would be the end of the club.
“The atmosphere at the games at the AJ Bell is electric.
“This is a proud club with 150 years of history that just needs a bit of help to secure its future.
“At the moment the stadium just needs capital and some improvements and the stadium can survive if it hosts events and the supporters keep showing up.”
■ TOULOUSE’S Corey Norman has been handed an eight-match ban for sticking his fingers up Oliver Homes’ backside during Warrington’s 32-18 win last week.