Salford reveal five-figure response to bold new model

Salford have revealed that they have raised more than £50,000 in the first day of their new share offer campaign, which will see them become the first community owned Super League club.

It was revealed earlier this week that the Red Devils were giving individuals the chance to purchase a share in the club’s holding company, now a so-called Community Benefit Society.

A share enables fans to vote at the AGM and stand for election to join the holding company’s board.

Red Devils Managing Director, Paul King, said: “Reaching this milestone within the first day of the campaign is a tremendous show of support from our community.

“We are already 20% of the way there to our initial target of raising £250,000 – but we cannot rest on our laurels. If we can reach towards our upper targets, we can do so much for our club and community. I implore every one of our supporters to get involved. Give what you can, spread the message, and let’s add another proud chapter in the story of our club’s long history.”

MORE: Salford turn to fan-ownership model to raise funds to avoid ‘running out of road’

A range of options are available for fans, ranging from £100 to more than £10,000, though regardless of investment, any individual is only eligible for one share of the vote.

Salford have defied the odds in recent years, battling with the financial strife left to them by former owner Marwan Koukash and still reaching a Grand Final and Challenge Cup final as massive underdogs.

Two of the last four Super League Man of Steel winners have done so at Salford, with current incumbent Brodie Croft penning a momentous seven-year deal to stay at the AJ Bell Stadium in the off-season.

It is hoped that by turning to community ownership, Salford can start to compete further on an even playing field.

On announcing the historic share offer, the club said: “When you buy your share, you will be making Salford Red Devils the first elite Rugby League club in the world to become a community owned through a community benefit society.

“We want to be a progressive, sustainable Elite Super League club, which consistently achieves success on the field, engages our community and inspires the next generation through inclusive role models and opportunities for all. With your help, we can achieve this, and be the only genuinely community owned club in the Super League, where instead of being bankrolled by millionaires, we’re backed by multitudes from Salford, from Greater Manchester and by those much further afield.”

The only other fan-owned club currently competing in the professional rugby league pyramid is Hunslet. Their supporters took over the club in 2012 and voted against returning to a hybrid supporter/investor ownership model back in 2020.

Rochdale had been fan-owned between 2010 and 2020, before the current owners agreed a deal to take over the club.

READ NEXT: Salford ‘have no right’ to be in Super League top six, says proud Paul Rowley