It was anounced a while ago that it wouldn't be finshed till 2011 !

i really feel Salford might attract more people by Changing their name to Manchester (someone else suggested it too) im sure their fans wouldn't find that too much of an upheaval.

Celtic change to either Bridgend or move down the road to Cardiff

The word Celtic doesn't seem to associate Welshness

and get a cumbrian team in

Quote Tony Catsmith="Tony Catsmith"chief, you're homework for this weekend, go start that thread on the salford board and see what happens.'" Do you know what i might just do that, would be interesting. viewtopic.php?t=408198

Quote Tony Catsmith="Tony Catsmith"chief, you're homework for this weekend, go start that thread on the salford board and see what happens.'" Do you know what i might just do that, would be interesting. viewtopic.php?t=408198

Quote Wire_Yed_79="Wire_Yed_79"Do you know what i might just do that, would be interesting. viewtopic.php?t=408198'" Didn't last long, did it?

Quote Wire_Yed_79="Wire_Yed_79"Do you know what i might just do that, would be interesting. viewtopic.php?t=408198'" Didn't last long, did it?

The population of Widnes is about 53,000 as against Salford's about 216000. That doesn't always directly translate into crowds, Widnes in their last season in SL averaged about 6800 which isn't bad, Salford are averaging about 5000 this season. I think if you put Widnes in SL now they wouldn't look out of place.

The bigger problem is that it's difficult to see Widnes growing as a SL franchise, generating more revenue and attracting sponsorship. Widnes is an industrial town dependent on the chemical industry but there isn't the prospect of investment and potential sponsors coming into the town, which there is for Salford, there's a university there, they have had a lot of investment into the Quays area and are setting up a media city, its visually impressive and a good area for city living, it will attract young professionals and businesses who want to live by the Quays area.

If you had to take a gamble on which one of the two clubs has better prospects for the future it would be Salford - I can't see how Widnes would get to a stronger position than they were last time they were in SL.

I've suggested it a couple of times now.

It may take away the heritage of Salford RL and cause upset to those Salfordonians who don't realise they actually live in Greater Manchester, but Manchester is a much more marketable name than Salford.

Manchester Salford Reds might even work as a name

The Welsh are a Celtic race, so there is the association there, plus the old Union side in Bridgend were called the Celtic Warriors.

As for Salford, leave them as they are. I don't think there is any great rivalry between the two cities, and if people from Manchester want to support an RL team they've got the Reds, just as most Salfordians support a team called Manchester United. Changing over 100 years of history just to put the name Manchester on doesn't seem right to me.

I've lived in Manchester for 7 years. Changing the name to Manchester will have zero effect on the locals. The only way Salford will improve their crowds is:-

- a better team
- a better stadium
- community initiatives

They're doing there best at all 3. The stadium is the key because it drives the other 2. However that is looking less and less likely. Every set back is treated, at least publicly, by the club as 'small set back, we'll be OK, any day now'. I understand why they have to do this but it is starting to looking faintly ridiculous. I know the recession is an issue but its hardly been plain sailing up to this point. From what I can gather they're going to have to resubmit a revised application anyway. It's likely the stadium will be at the same stage when the next licence applications come round as they were when the last ones went. That will not bode well for them.

What about the Salfordians who realise they live in entirely different city to Manchester?

For those people, it could be named Greater Manchester Salford Reds

Seems a bit long that though. May as well just drop the Greater and Salford from it

Another way would be to refuse Salford a licence and set up a franchise in Manchester.