Buying Red Devils stadium will 'safeguard future of 150-year-old club', says mayor

The future of the 150-year-old Salford Red Devils Super League club and the city’s rugby league heritage will be safeguarded if the city council takes total control of its stadium.

That's according to Salford city mayor Paul Dennett as he gave an update on the complex negotiations taking place which may ultimately see the local authority buying Peel’s 50 per cent stake in the stadium, its two training pitches and the car park.

The property giant wants to exit the joint venture arrangement, although the company and the city council will still own the land surrounding the facility.

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The city council and Peel entered into a joint venture in 2009/10 to build what is now known as the City of Salford Community Stadium (Coscos), which is also shared by Sale Sharks rugby union club.

Mr Dennett told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Salford Reds have been doing work in our city for many many years and they are inextricably linked with our city.

“For me, when you look at the original decision back in 2009/10 it spoke to all of that.

“What we’re trying to do with regard to the city council considering buying the remaining 50pc of the stadium is to think about how we can secure that future for more than 150 years.

“Do I think it would be secured if we sold the stadium? No, I do not. Because who’s to say whether or not someone bought that stadium and didn’t share our values and beliefs about the importance of this 150-year-old institution in the city of Salford.

"It also safeguards the future of the regeneration of that part of the city as well, because it gives us far more skin in the game."

Mr Dennett continued: “When we