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Sharks are going nowhere - De Vos

Jenny Dixon
8/11/2006

SPECULATION that Sale Sharks could ground-share with Salford City Reds was firmly quashed by both clubs this week.

The rugby league side have been given the go-ahead for a new £35 million stadium, which will hold 20,000 spectators and is due to open in 2009, but Stockport-based Sharks will not be moving in with them.

"It's our stadium," said Salford chairman John Wilkinson of the development situated close to the M60 in Barton.

"We spoke to Sale, but I couldn't get on with Mr [Brian] Kennedy (Sharks owner).

"He wanted too much and I couldn't make sense of him."

Sharks' chief executive Niels de Vos said his club were committed to remaining at Edgeley Park, which they plan to redevelop, adding that talks with Salford had not taken place since the move to Stockport in 2002.

He explained: "Four years ago, when we had to move out of Heywood Road, there was a very brief conversation.

"They came to see if Brian would be interested in going into the project together.

"It was decided then he wasn't going to.

"There has been no conversation in the last four years."

  • THE Premiership champions ensured that their eight-month unbeaten home run remained intact by narrowly defeating London Wasps 18-12 last Friday night.

Sharks are back on the road this Friday when they travel to take on second-placed Bristol.

It will be a tough task for Philippe Saint-Andre's men, who have to contend with the loss of players to international duty including: England players Charlie Hodgson, Mark Cueto, Stuart Turner, Chris Jones, Andrew Sheridan and Magnus Lund; Jason White to Scotland and the Fernandez Lobbe brothers, Juan Martin and Ignacio, for Argentina.

The situation is compounded by doubts about the availability of deputy fly-half Daniel Larrechea who was forced off the pitch with a groin injury on Friday, and Sebastien Chabal (knee).

Sharks director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre said: "We'll watch them closely this week and hope their injuries are not serious.

"We have, when fully fit, a very good squad, but we do have some injuries and players missing.

"We cannot afford any slips if we are to keep pace with the leaders during this crucial month of the season."

Sale have not won at the Memorial Stadium since September 2001.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(3)


Most recent 2 of 3 user comments

   It's in both interests, of both County and Sharks that the present deal remains, I'm glad Sale are staying.
Martin, Macclesfield
9/11/2006 at 19:17
   Its great news that the sharks plan to develop Edgeley Park. This surely would be great for the town and the football club in that they would be playing in a better stadium. Lets face it, although under Ellwood, County had a few good seasons in going up 2 division's, how often and for how many year's were there plans to develop the ground, especially on the Booth Street side, which did not happen?
David Barratt, Stockport
9/11/2006 at 16:24
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