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Stadium petition handed to Merry

6/ 6/2005

THE CAMPAIGN for a new Salford Reds stadium was taken to the corridors of power at Swinton Civic Centre when city leader John Merry was handed a 2,000-strong petition.

The document was handed over by supporters group Forever Reds vice-chairman Iain Peacock, backed up by Reds supporter and former Coronation Street star Nigel Pivaro, and comes weeks before plans for the proposed £35 million, 20,000 capacity City of Salford stadium is due to be discussed by the city's planning committee.

Reds chairman John Wilkinson was not on hand at the meeting because, as he explained, he wanted the fans voices to be at the forefront.

"Throughout this entire campaign, the people of Salford have given us their backing and the fans have been fantastic," he said.

"It seemed entirely appropriate, therefore, that Iain, backed up by Nigel, should be the ones to present the petition to Salford Council - who have themselves been consistent in their support.

"I am very hopeful that we will get the go-ahead when the plans come before the city's planning committee on Thursday, June 16. Unfortunately, I will be out of the country then, but we will have our supporters there."

Forever Reds vice-chairman Iain Peacock added: "The fans are well behind the new stadium because it means better facilities and hopefully larger crowds.

"This should put the Salford City Reds in a much stronger position to compete against the larger clubs and win more matches."

Council leader John Merry said: "We are keen to support the principle of a new stadium for Salford City Reds.

"All the information I've seen about it makes it clear that this would be a tremendous development for the club and the whole city."

As well as construction jobs, the project will also include a hotel and retail park and bring more than 2,000 permanent jobs to local people.

Published 2 June 2005