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Sharks on the move?

by Jenny Dixon and Miles Skinner
27/ 2/2008

SALE Sharks could move from their Stockport home to a state-of-the-art East Manchester stadium if the Government follows through on promises made yesterday.

The famous rugby team, based at Edgeley Park for almost five years, may ship out to a new centre considered as part of a compensation package for the city losing its supercasino bid.

The proposed site in Beswick will now be turned into a ‘world-class’ leisure facility with £10million promised by communities secretary Hazel Blears.

Sharks’ chief executive James Jennings played down the possibility of a move, saying the idea was ‘in the realms of hypothesis at this stage’.

But he admitted: "It is something we would have to look at," adding: "There is a far gap between speculation and reality, but if eventually someone built a brand new stadium I dare say they’d come knocking at our door.

"We have a home at Edgeley Park at the moment and are not involved in any submissions, proposals or negotiations, but at the end of the day we have a duty to our shareholders, fans and team."

As well as the rugby union complex plans include an olympic-standard BMX centre, and an extreme sports centre.

Stockport County FC have first refusal on buying Edgeley Park back from multi-millionaire Brian Kennedy if Sharks were to move.

County MD Mark McGuire said recently: "We currently have an option to buy back the club. As a County supporter I would love to get the keys back to the club in time for our 125th anniversary next autumn."