Dr Marwan Koukash closes in on Salford City Reds takeover (From St Helens Star)

Rainford-based racehorse owner Dr Marwan Koukash closes in on Salford City Reds takeover

9:52am Friday 18th January 2013 in News

RAINFORD-BASED racehorse magnate Dr Marwan Koukash is hoping to complete his takeover of Salford City Reds rugby league club by Monday, according to reports.

Dr Koukash told of his ambitions after watching a Salford side go down 34-16 to a near full-strength Wigan team in a pre-season friendly.

He reportedly booked a hospitality box for family and friends at last night’s match, and addressed the Salford players.

Talks with long-serving Salford chairman John Wilkinson and Salford City Stadium owners Peel Holdings and Salford Council are at an advanced stage.

Dr Koukash, 56, who settled in St Helens from the Middle East as a teenager and studied at the town’s college, has brought in former Wigan and New Zealand coach Graham Lowe, who is set to oversee player recruitment, and ex-New Zealand RL chairman Andrew Chalmers.

According to the Press Assocation, he told reporters: "I hope it can be done in a few hours, certainly no longer than a few days “Hopefully by Monday we can announce the deal.”

Last week Salford avoided a winding-up petition brought by HM Revenue and Customs.

Koukash has given a vote of confidence in head coach Phil Veivers and has pledged to make funds available immediately for new recruits.

The racehorse owner told PA he has been “speaking to a number of players, players that will bring the crowds in and players who could win matches."

While talks over a move in to rugby league are going well, Dr Koukash's racehorses have also been delivering the goods.

Gabrial The Boss won at Lingfield on Wednesday and Great Ormond at Wolverhampton last night.