LIONS SECURE TRAINING FACILITIES AT AJ BELL STADIUM

06 January 2018

Swinton Lions are to train at the AJ Bell Stadium during 2018, the home of city rivals Salford Red Devils.

This arrangement will ensure that the Lions’ have access to the best facilities in the area as our preparations continue for what promises to be a tough but exciting season in the Championship.

Swinton players and coaching staff will have access to excellent outdoor training pitch facilities, as well as a well-equipped gym and meeting room.

Operations Director Steve Wild said, “Last season we centred our main training operations over at Fallowfield with Manchester University. Whilst those facilities were excellent they incurred a significant cost, plus it wasn’t the most convenient location for our players, the majority of whom are based on this side of the city.

“We wanted somewhere more local, but which offered the highest standards in training facilities. We are therefore delighted that we have been able to agree excellent terms with the AJ Bell Stadium. To that end we’d very much like to thank Salford City Council, Stadium Event Operations Manager Marcelle Locke, and gym manager Liam Connolly, for all their help in making this arrangement possible.”

Lions’ Head Coach Stuart Littler was also happy with the development. He added, “To have secured such a great training facility for our 2018 training campaign is a massive step forward for our club. The facilities at the AJ Bell will allow us to competently review our performances, as well as greatly enabling the development of our physical and technical activities either in their great gym or on the specialised playing surfaces.

We must also pay thanks to Wigan RLFC for the use of their Central Park facility prior to Christmas. The staff there have been exceptional with us and we greatly appreciate their support. We will also continue our relationship with our friends at Leigh Miners Rangers into 2018, so it’s great to have all our training and analysis requirements nailed down and fully catered for. The pre-season games are coming around fast, so to have the use of exceptional facilities can only assist in our preparations as we strive to develop as a team and as club.”