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Swinton Lions home in

27/ 6/2002

SWINTON Lions have finally ended their 10-year exile in Bury - and will return to the city in August.

The Lions agreed a deal this week with Salford City FC to play their final three home ties of the season at Moor Lane - which will be their first games within the Salford borders since their ill-fated switch to Gigg Lane during the early 90s.

Although the deal is yet to be officially signed and sanctioned by the RFL, Swinton have been granted temporary permission to play their home ties against Doncaster (August 4), Chorley (August 18) and Whitehaven (September 8) in Kersal.

Delighted Lions chief executive Tony Barrow said that although the move was great news for the club, the fans must return to ensure Swinton's future.

He said: "It's fantastic, but this is our last chance at Swinton. We've looked around the other grounds in the area and this is the only place we have. The public of Swinton have said they will come back and watch us if we get back into the town - so now is the time to put their money where their mouths are."

The Lions announced the news before Friday's games against Hunslet - but sadly only 300 people were present at Hilton Park to hear it. One of those diehard fans, Supporters Trust chairman Steve Wild, said crowds like this have to improve if the club is to have a future - even in Salford.

He told us: "It's the best news we have had in 10 years. I think now the fans are going to have to come back. The Swinton public have now got to decide whether they want a club or not."

Salford City secretary Frank McCauley said the trial period at the end of the season will give both clubs a chance to see how the link-up will work. He added: "We are one of the most ambitious clubs in the North West Counties League but that means having funding in place. The bottom line is that a successful link with Swinton will be beneficial to Salford City and will enable us to maintain the degree of funding necessary to mount a successful North West Counties title challenge."

Although Moor Lane falls short of RFL standards, Swinton should still be able to play there because of a precedent set by Oldham - who used Ashton United's Hurst Cross as their base earlier this season.