Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash is considering scaling back his investment in the club following a disappointing Super League season.
The Israel-born multi-millionaire fears that a lack of numbers through the turnstiles could make him reconsider his willingness to back Salford financially.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, he said: “I need the people of Salford to get behind me, get behind the club. The club will always be theirs.
“If they don’t want a rugby league team then I’ll have to reconsider my investment.”
Koukash oversaw the signing of 14 new players, but they will finish the season far off the 4th place he targeted at the beginning of the campaign.
There’s been growing concern at the AJ Bell Stadium, after it emerged last week that Koukash cancelled the club’s end of season party due to his dismay at performances.
There was some cheer for Salfordians though as they picked up a tenth win of the season against bottom side London Broncos.
79 mins: Josh Griffin converts another try for Salford taking the score 58-26.
— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) September 7, 2014
The Broncos victory means they now sit tenth in Super League, and Koukash was clearly hoping for better after his heavy cash injection.
He added: “We should have done much, much better than what we have achieved so far.
“We have to look back at the mistakes we’ve made and move on.
“I’m not going to tolerate what we’ve had this year.”
As well as the poor results, racehorse owner Koukash has also experienced disappointment off the pitch.
Last week he announced that former England second row Gareth Hock had handed in a transfer request.
Gareth Hock has asked to leave the club and we have agreed to his request provided it is at the right terms
— Marwan Koukash (@drmarwanK) September 3, 2014
In addition, an ability to progress on the commercial front has irked the Salford owner, especially with regard to the club shop.
@7bugsy7 Mate, the simple fact is that the shop belongs to Sale sharks. There is no where for us to have our shop. Not happy either mate
— Marwan Koukash (@drmarwanK) September 8, 2014
Such concerns have led to the suggestion that Salford could play home games away from the AJ Bell Stadium in 2015, taking the team on the road to increase gate receipts.
Koukash is a divisive character in Salford and beyond, with fans reacting to his latest outburst on Twitter.
More salford fans love koukash than not and I’m one of them, he saved us from the brink and il always love the guy for that #legend
— Briggsy90 (@briggsySRD90) September 7, 2014
Does koukash ever rest his vocal chords or twitter finger? Man must be exhausted constantly seeing things from him online lately
— emma rowley (@roguem) September 8, 2014
Friday night will see Salford host Widnes in their final game of the season, with the home side looking to finish the season on a positive note and rebuild for the 2015 season.
Image courtesy of Sky Sports, via YouTube, with thanks
