Koukash shocks fans by handing over Salford reins
MARWAN Koukash is handing over control of Salford Red Devils to a board of trustees.
The businessman will retain ownership of the club, but says he will no longer be involved in its management.
In a shock statement, Koukash also revealed he has ‘rejected lucrative offers to relocate or rebrand the club.’
He said he would be handing over ownership of the club to a trust ‘for the benefit of fans and the local community of Salford.’ The trust will be made up of local businessmen and a fan representative.
Koukash said the club was in a ‘perilous position’ when he first came to Salford in 2013. But this year has been the club’s most successful season in Super League, while they also reached the semi-final of the Challenge Cup.
Koukash said: “I have now instructed my legal team, subject to Rugby Football League approval, to establish a trust to take ownership of the club for the benefit of the fans and the local community of Salford. I will appoint a board of trustees to include local Salford businessmen and a representative of the fans to be elected by the season ticket holders, which will ensure the fans have a prominent voice in the running of the club.
“I am confident the new structure will see the club continue to make progress on and off the pitch.”
Koukash added that the club has reduced its operating losses to 20 per cent of those in 2014. Fans, however, still have concerns over the location of the AJ Bell Stadium and low attendances.
Salford last week confirmed they would not change their name to incorporate ‘Manchester’ after fears of a rebrand emerged earlier this year when the Red Devils announced a huge consultation process with fans and stakeholders.
Koukash said: “I further believe commercial decisions I have recently taken, combined with the business partnerships and arrangements I have already secured, with the strong support of the local community who buy season tickets and regularly attend games, means the club can become self-sufficient.
“I am merely a custodian of the club, which will always be bigger than any individual who owns it, and will continue longer than any one person can run it.
“The club, quite rightly, must always belong to the fans and the local community of Salford. I will continue to hold very high regard for our fans and the wider community supporting us and because of this have rejected lucrative offers to relocate or rebrand the club because I have seen that there is an overwhelming passion from the fans to retain the Salford name.
“My decision is nothing to do with the operation of the game or the RFL, with whom during my time I have challenged but also enjoyed a fantastic working relationship, especially during 2017 and they have my ongoing respect. I look forward to joining our loyal supporters and all my friends when I visit in the grandstands at the stadium next season.”