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 against Leeds in a match postponed from October. Leeds won 22–17. A proposal in 1960 to create a Manchester rugby league club at the former White City Stadium on Chester Road received strong opposition from Salford and Swinton. Their protests were renewed when a match was staged there between a Manchester XIII, drawn from both Salford and Swinton and the New Zealand tourists in September 1961 and the idea was subsequently dropped. Gus Risman return to Salford as team manager in February 1962. Between March and September 1962, Salford hit an all-time low with 19 consecutive defeats. Covering two seasons,