The worst kept secret in rugby in Sale Sharks' history is out. Sale have announced that they are to move in to the Salford City Stadium in the summer in time for the 2012/13 season. They have signed a twenty five year lease and will begin life at their new stadium with a high profile friendly against the current European Champions Leinster in August.
I had a quick tour around the stadium this morning and the facilities are amazing. It is a 12,000 capacity with the option of becoming 20,000 in the future. Steve Diamond said that the club are training at one of the best facilities in the country, now they have a stadium which is up there. He is excited about moving to a stadium which allows them to have a full sized pitch which will allow them to play a fast and expansive game that the team want to play. Ian Blackhurst backed up his earlier statement in the year that he and Brian Kennedy are in it for the long term regarding Sale. He commented saying that moving to the stadium allows them to start making money as currently at Edgeley Park, they are making losses and they want to start making money. There is a real sense of optimism and excitement within the club at the moment. It is a new era for the club and everyone is excited to get on with next season.
There is a mixed reaction from the fans at the moment. There is no doubt that they are happy the club is moving to a world class arena and it will allow them to become this 'super northern club' that is often spoken about. The one factor which concerns fans the most is transport. There is just one road in and out of the stadium at the moment and they are worried that there is little access to the stadium. What the club have to do for the next five months is try and find a solution to the fans concerns. They are already talking to coach companies to get an extensive park and ride schemes from local train stations, tram stations. The club need to listen to the fans concerns otherwise they won't get anyone in there.
Any new move to a stadium brings a bit of uncertainty to a club and there are no doubts those here for Sale. However, for the first time in a long time I have been following Sale; there is a fresh air of optimism and excitement - one that I really haven't seen before. Edgeley Park has been great for them, it was one stepping stone after moving from Heywood Road. Moving to Salford City Stadium allows Sale to really push on and compete to become a Super Northern Club.