Steve Diamond confident Sale Sharks will reach attendance target

Steve Diamond is confident Sale can attract the attendances necessary for the club to break even next year when they move to their new home in Barton.

The Sharks will groundshare with Super League outfit Salford City Reds from the start of next season.

"We need crowds of 7,500 to break even next year," chief executive Diamond told BBC Radio Manchester.

"Season ticket sales are breaking records and we anticipate that will carry on in the next few weeks."

A total of 10,149 people attended the Sharks final game at Edgeley Park last weekend after nine years at Stockport.

Meanwhile, Diamond has spoken of his pride after watching Sale meet all of their pre-season targets.

A sixth-place finish in the Premiership guaranteed a spot in next season's Heineken Cup, despite losing their final Premiership match to Harlequins.

"We wanted to be in the top six and to have the leading try scorer, which we've achieved with Rob Miller," he continued.

"We're proud of the way we want to play and proud of what we've achieved."

Diamond, who has recruited several high-profile new players in recent months, is still searching for a new head coach following the departure of Tony Hanks in March.