Swinton turn to Leigh Sports Village

Swinton are hoping to base themselves at Leigh Sports Village next season when they take their place in the Co-operative Championship.

The Lions have already secured promotion to the second tier of rugby league, but without a home of their own, have been forced to play the season at The Willows, the home of Salford City Reds.

The Willows is set to close at the end of the season with the City Reds moving into a new community stadium at Batorm for the 2012 Super League Season.

This has meant that Swinton are left with two choices, a return to Sedgley Park Rugby Union or to the Leigh Sports Village, the latter currently looking the most likely.

Lions Chairman John Kidd stated “We have two options which have been accepted by the RFL, both outside the City boundaries.

“The first is going back to Sedgley Park, a ground that requires a capital input to make the venue compliant and a rent plus costs for the games played there.

“The second is the Leigh Sports Village which is already compliant and will attract an all inclusive rental for each game.

“We are continuing to explore the possibility of playing in the City of Salford and a decision will be taken as and when the finite costs are known.”

Swinton are still hoping to build their own ground at Agecroft and Kidd added: “The project has two or three issues to resolve before an application for planning permission can be presented. 

“It is estimated that a further two to three weeks may be needed to wholly resolve these issues. In the meantime we are preparing the details for that application.”

Swinton are hoping for a big crowd tomorrow when they will be presented the Co-operative Championship One trophy after their game against Rochdale Hornets