AJ Bell Stadium England women's Euro 2013 qualifying match against the Netherlands on 17 June 2012. AJ Bell Stadium Salford City Stadium (referred to as the AJ Bell Stadium for sponsorship purposes) is a rugby stadium in Barton-upon-Irwell, Salford, England, built to replace Salford rugby league club's ground the Willows for the 2012 season. Sale Sharks rugby union club have also played at the stadium since the 2012–13 season. In 2005, Salford City Council approved plans for the Reds to move from the Willows to the brownfield site at Barton. The stadium was originally to be developed by Red City Developments, with construction
Salford Red Devils Ian Stewart lent almost £200,000 to the club to keep them afloat, without consulting others at the Council. Salford City Council also part-own the stadium where the club play. In September 2015, controversy occurred when four star players: £115,000 a year man Rangi Chase, captain Harrison Hansen, Cory Paterson and Théo Fages were all released by the club by new Director of rugby and Australian national team coach Tim Sheens. In 2015 Salford failed to finish in the top 8 of Super League and ended up in The Qualifiers. In 2015, they finished 3rd in the table and secured Super