SALFORD are determined to bolster the club's fan base ahead of the move to a new £30m home at Barton.

The task of boosting support levels is high on the list of priorities and they are aiming at crowds of around 6,000 compared with this season's average attendance of 4,301, slightly ahead of London Broncos on 4,106 but behind neighbours Leigh on 4,775.

These figures are in stark contrast to the Warrington average of 10,785 and the 13,630 reported by Wigan Warriors, while Super League attendance figures also show Widnes Vikings averaging 6,869 while the average at St Helens is 11,040.

Salford, however, intend to be up there with the leading clubs.

Football director Steve Simms said: "The new stadium is definitely going to happen but we realise we must increase our fan base right now ahead of this.

"Too many people are saying they will wait for the new stadium to be up and running before they go and watch Salford again.

"We know there are a lot of fans out there within the local community who could be coming to offer their support right now.

"There are many people within the club involved and working on a variety of schemes and projects aimed at increasing levels of support.

Fantastic

"What I will say is that we certainly aren't disappointed with those people who do come regularly to games.

"They're among the best in the game, if not the best, their loyalty is incredible and they offer fantastic support.

"This support is greatly appreciated but it must be increased. We have wonderful support away from home and the fans really make themselves heard."

But lifelong fan Danny Gray believes playing home games on Friday nights is not feasible and could prove the biggest barrier to hopes of a high attendance.

He said: "For many Salford fans, Friday just isn't the best night of the week to watch rugby League.

"I fully understand the benefits for the team in that it allows extra recovery time, which they need, but it's not a popular night with supporters.

"Maybe games that are classed as winnable are targeted too much and the team continues to be inconsistent. Salford must start beating the big clubs on a regular basis to attract the crowds.

"A neutral may well decide not to go if the match is against, say Saints, sensing Salford don't stand a chance.

"The following week we play a lesser club and the floating supporter doesn't fancy that one either, leaving the club and the team in a no-win situation.

"Personally speaking, I'd like to see a return to Sunday rugby."

Electric

Simms added: "An extra thousand fans at home games would make so much difference and generate an electric atmosphere.

"The atmosphere is already good but just imagine what it could be like and, hopefully, this can be achieved.

"We want to be among the premier clubs by the time we are about to move but for this to happen we need the whole package and this includes increased attendances.

"I don't exactly know what needs to be done but we continue to improve the team and this is ongoing.

"We are a club heading in the right direction but we do need more people coming to games and they are out there."

David Watkins was a key figure in the all-conquering Salford side of the 1970's when bumper gates were the norm at The Willows on winter Friday nights.

"In the 70's we had a lot of personalities," he said.

"It's difficult for me to comment with me being away from Salford but people possibly expected too much of the side after those great days.

"I would dearly love the see them back at the top again and John Wilkinson has been a wonderful supporter of the club in recent times.

"He deserves an increased level of support when you consider the money and the work that he has put in."

Simms is convinced once Barton is operational, both home and away fans will turn out in force and lead to the creation of a new generation of suppoerters.

But for now he and many inside The Willows would like people to return and pledge their support and take the club on to what could turn out to be an exciting new era.