Sale Sharks: Edgeley Park return considered amid money concerns

Sale Sharks are considering returning to Edgeley Park amid concerns about the financial viability of playing their home games at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Sale only moved to the 12,000-capacity stadium for the 2012 season.

But low attendances, caused by poor transport links and travel issues mean they are now considering other venues.

"The stadium, without attaching blame, has fallen short of expectation," chairman Gordon McKie told the Manchester Evening News.

"Sale moved there in anticipation of preserving crowds, revenues and even growing them and that has just not happened.

"It's a complex area, M60 traffic queues, access, leaving the stadium, car parks, catering, hospitality, matchday management, event management...how long have you got?"

The Premiership side moved to Edgeley Park in the summer of 2003 from their original home at Heywood Road.

The move saw a merger with Stockport County as Brian Kennedy took over both clubs.

Sale signed a 25-year lease at the new home in 2012, but are already exploring several possible venues, including Bolton's Reebok Stadium, Leigh Sports Village and Bury's Gigg Lane - as well as Edgeley Park.