Sale Sharks Press Conference - Tuesday 3 January 2012

Co-owner Ian Blackhurst today announced that Steve Diamond has been appointed Chief Executive of Sale Sharks from 1 February 2012.

In a lengthy press conference, the two men outlined their vision for the club's playing strategy for the future.

Both men reiterated during the meeting that they want to see the Sharks become a "Super Club for the north west". With the points raised during the announcement, they outlined their visions.
This involves the increase in the Academy structure at the club, which during Diamond's 11 month tenure at the club has seen the number of junior players at the club rise from 16 to 90 players.

As a mark of intent, Diamond stated that while he is at the club, they will not be making any further marquee signings, something that Blackhurst confirmed.

Blackhurst spoke of the club's past, in relation to their previous success of winning the Premiership title in 2006, having brought in foreign players to boost their chances of success. That title success he said, was "not sustainable as a result of the foreign players".

Currently operating well under the salary cap limits imposed by Premiership Rugby, and to make his point about the club now moving on the road to becoming a more sustainable financial model, Diamond stated that "You will not hear us bleating on about salary caps ever!".

Blackhurst confirmed that Diamond's "prime responsibility now is the success of the business". The coaching team will remain, with Tony Hanks as Head Coach being assisted by the current team already in place.

Manager Ray Unsworth, and assistant Pete Anglesea will continue to manage the Academy.

The new Salford Community Stadium, which hosts
its first fixture on 7 January.

On other matters, Blackhurst admitted that the club are still in negotiation about a move to the Salford Reds new stadium at Barton. Nearing completion, the stadium will be ready for the start of the 2012 Super League season, and there has been much talk of Sale becoming joint tenants with the Super League club.

"We're quite far in negotiations" Blackhurst advised, but it should be confirmed very soon, perhaps only in 6-8 weeks time.

Another move announced today was that the Carrington office block will be doubled in size, in order to accommodate all of the club's admin staff, who are to move from the offices currently in the Edgeley Park ground in Stockport. This move will happen in the next 12-18 months.

I think that this announcment gives a clear indication of where the club's future lies in terms of its Friday night home in the coming years.

The conference was recorded, and is available to listen to on the link below.



The Sale Sharks Director of Sport, Steve Diamond is announcing to the press plans which the club have for the future of the club at 12 noon on Tuesday 3 January.

A brief announcement was made in The Telegraph on 30 December, and comments in that report have already created much discussion within community rugby circles in the north west.

I'll be attending the meeting, and hope to broadcast the announcement live using the ipadio system.

Clicking on the embedded link below, you should be able to hear it live!! If there is a problem in any way, I'll also be recording it separately, and will upload it later in the day.

It would be great to hear some comments and feedback about it!