Salford owner Marwan Koukash has announced his decision to leave the Super League club with immediate effect.

Koukash rescued the club from financial ruin in 2013 but has now decided to hand it over to a community trust.

Koukash says his decision is not connected to the running battle he has fought with the game’s governing body the Rugby Football League during his four-year tenure. Instead, he says it is in his own interests and insists it will not impact on the future of the Red Devils.

The high-profile owner was thought to be close to quitting the club at the end of last season, only to be re-invigorated by their miraculous escape from relegation in the Million-Pound Game.

But he has become increasingly frustrated by dwindling crowds at the AJ Bell Stadium this year, despite a marked improvement in results, and the last straw came when just 1,405 watched the Red Devils’ home game against Huddersfield earlier this month.

In a statement, Koukash said: “I have now instructed my legal team, subject to RFL approval, to establish a trust to take ownership of the club for the benefit of the fans and the local community of Salford.

“I will appoint a board of trustees to include local Salford businessmen and a representative of the fans to be elected by the season ticket holders which will ensure the fans have a prominent voice in the running of the club.

“I am confident that the new structure at the club under the guidance of the trustees will see the club continue to make progress on and off the pitch.”

The outspoken Koukash divided opinion, both among Salford supporters and the wider game, but clearly grew to love the sport after being introduced to it during a chance meeting with RFL chief executive Nigel Wood on a flight to Dubai.

He saved Salford from going under when he took charge in 2013 and, after changing the name from City Reds to Red Devils, was never far from the headlines.

He brought in a raft of big-money signings, including Rangi Chase and Gareth Hock, and even made a bid for Sam Tomkins.

Although he will no longer be involved with Salford, it would be no surprise to see Koukash return to the sport in 2018. In the past he expressed an interest in buying a stake in an NRL club and has twice, through his wife Mandy, failed in bids to take over Bradford.