Sam Tomkin’s the man for ambitious Salford

[josie andrews]

Dr Marwan Koukash in audacious bid for Sam Tomkins as Salford Reds open account.

Salford, under new owner Dr Marwan Koukash, recorded their first win of the season – and it can be revealed today the multi millionaire racecourse owner has made an audacious bid to land the game’s biggest name, superstar Sam Tomkins.

Koukash, who watched the City Reds win a pulsating, bruising encounter at Barton against Hull KR, wants the game’s poster boy to build on the unexpected triumph and help spearhead a bid to revive former glories at the famous old club.

He’s asked Wigan to name their price for Tomkins, an MEN columnist, who has attracted interest from Rugby Union’s marquee clubs as well as the cream of Australia’s top clubs.

Ironically, it wasn’t Tomkins’ best day after he clashed with the referee and officials before being sent to the sin bin during Wigan’s 48-18 win over London Broncos – and then was heavily criticised by Warriors boss Shaun Wane.

But that won’t bother the hugely ambitious Koukash a jot.

The new Salford supremo has told MEN Sport he will bankroll a record transfer fee for Tomkins if Wigan will consider releasing their prize asset.

Koukash was today waiting to hear back from Warriors’ chairman Ian Lenagan after making an official approach to sign Sam.

Wigan selling Tomkins right now is highly unlikely with the Super League Man of Steel on a long-term contract and not allowed to speak to rival clubs until next year.

Nevertheless, this has not stopped Koukash from boldly enquiring about his availability.

Koukash told MEN Sport: ‘’I have contacted Wigan to tell them I am interested in signing Sam and would be prepared to pay a transfer fee for him.

“That’s all I can say at this stage.

“We’ll see what happens.”

Koukash made his move for Tomkins ahead of Reds’ first win of the season last night.

The chairman was on the touchline at the finish, celebrating what coach Phil Veivers termed a ‘massive win.’

Four second-half tries helped Reds recover from being 24-14 down at the break.

Danny Williams struck for what proved the winning try on 73 minutes but prop Lee Jewitt was sent off in the final minute along with Rovers’ Adam Walker following a punch up at a scrum.

Reds trailed by 20 points going into the final quarter but never looked back after the hard working Andrew Dixon seized an opportunist try.

Jack Murphy and Wayne Godwin also scored and Danny Williams gave Salford their first win since July of last year.

Ashley Gibson (2) and the lively Marc Sneyd scored Salford’s first-half tries. Coach Veivers, who knows he must deliver, welcomed the win after three heavy opening defeats.

“It’s been a long time since we last won,’’ said Veivers.

“We never gave up and even though we made it hard for ourselves at times, we took our chances and hung in there.

“We will take a win and take the plaudits but we know we still have a lot of hard work to do on the training field but we can build on this.”

Meanwhile, MEN Sport can reveal that Reds are also close to forging working links with top Australian club Gold Coast Titans.

Chief executive Ed Farish has had links with the Titans in the past. Salford are also linked with Titans star Luke O’Dwyer.

Tomkins meanwhile was sin binned for disputing a call made by referee Robert Hicks and his officials.

And an angry Wane said "Sam is a competitor, but he just cannot do that.”

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... rd-1347811

[markill]

Sounds like the Man City scenario people have suggested is what Koukash is looking to do. I really hope they take a long term view of things as well as you worry that this guy could lose interest or whatever. Hope not...and hope they don't take Sam off us this year at least.

[Wes]

Koukash is ambitious.

[josie andrews]

Koukash is ambitious.

Merged - already a thread covering this topic

[Wes]

Thanks Josie, didn't see this one.

[josie andrews]

Thanks Josie, didn't see this one.

No bother

[cpwigan]

Koukash is ambitious.

Or media cute. Salford in the news bidding for players who are largely unobtainable. Chase now Sam. Successful or unsuccessful it gets Salford in the news and talking about Salford.

[Kittwazzer]

Koukash's new Salford team - Tomkins Frankel Beckham Scholes Rihanna Widdop Cronk Klitschko Smith Klitschko Hatton Daniel Day Lewis Sinfield

[DaveO]

Koukash is ambitious.

Or media cute. Salford in the news bidding for players who are largely unobtainable. Chase now Sam. Successful or unsuccessful it gets Salford in the news and talking about Salford.

People will soon tire of it. All talk and no action. It's a bit like the boy who cried wolf.

Koukash needs to keep an eye on the diplomacy angle as well. He doesn't want to annoy other chairmen too much or he won't have many allies when he might need them.

It's also not helpful for RL in general that there is yet more talk of transfers involving Sam. The media exposure we want about Sam is positive stuff like the Wiggins advert for SL. Not more transfer speculation.

[jobo]

Anything that gets RL in the news, as long as it's not drugs or negativity is good.

If I were a Salford fan I'd be feeling pretty chuffed at the moment.