Salford City Reds is a professional
rugby leagueRugby league football is a full-contact form of football, played with a prolate spheroid ball by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. Rugby league is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby union...
club based in
SalfordThe City of Salford , is a local government district of Greater Manchester, England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Swinton, Walkden, Eccles, and Irlam which apart from...
in
Greater ManchesterGreater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.56 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and...
,
EnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. They play in the
European Super LeagueSuper League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition of Europe. As a result of sponsorship from Engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the Engage Super League...
.
Their nickname is 'The Red Devils'/'Reds', this name was later copied by nearby
Manchester UnitedManchester United Football Club is an English football club, one of the most popular football clubs in the world, based at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester. The club was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, and has played in the top division of English football since 1938, with the...
soccer club. For this reason they are sometimes known as 'The Original Red Devils'. The name the Red Devils comes from an early tour to France, where the French press labeled them as playing like devils, thus the name
Les Diables Rouges, which translates into English as the Red Devils.
They are currently sponsored by one of Britain's biggest
shopping centresA shopping mall, shopping centre or shopping center is a building or multiple buildings consisting of a complex of shops representing leading merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a convenient parking area – a modern,...
,
The Trafford CentreThe Trafford Centre is a large indoor shopping centre located in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, England. The planning process for the Trafford Centre was one of the longest and most expensive in the history of the United Kingdom...
.
Their home ground, known as
The Willows, is in the
WeasteWeaste is an inner city area of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England. It is an industrial area, with many industrial estates. The A57 road passes through Weaste, which lies close to the M602 motorway...
area of Salford. The club is set to move to a new purpose-built 20,000 capacity stadium in the Barton-upon-Irwell area of
EcclesEccles is a town in the City of Salford, a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in North West England, west of Salford and west of Manchester city centre...
near
ManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. In 2007, the population of the city was estimated to be 458,100...
in 2009. This move has obtained official
planning permissionPlanning permission or planning consent is the permission required in the United Kingdom in order to be allowed to build on land, or change the use of land or buildings. Within the UK the occupier of any land or building will need title to that land or building , but will also need "planning...
. The
new stadiumThe City of Salford Stadium1 is the new home of the Salford City Reds rugby league club. It is due to be built in Barton, near Eccles, Greater Manchester, England....
will include some terracing for fans who prefer to stand (contrasting with many new stadia that are all-seater), and will be funded by an independent company set up by club directors: Red City Developments. The approval for the stadium was granted on 2 November 2006, almost four weeks earlier than had been expected. Construction on the stadium site has now begun, and project is expected to be complete in time for the 2010 season.
On 22 July, 2008, the RFL awarded Salford a Super League licence for the 2009–2011 seasons. There, they will be joined by the 12 existing Super League Clubs and the
Celtic CrusadersThe Celtic Crusaders are a Welsh professional rugby league club temporarily based in Newport, South Wales. They are part of the European Super League after having been awarded a licence by the Rugby Football League on 22 July 2008....
, who were also granted a licence.
Early years
The club was founded as Salford in 1873 by the boys of the Cavendish Street Chapel in
HulmeHulme is an inner city area and electoral ward of Manchester, in North West England. Located immediately south of Manchester City Centre, it is an area with significant industrial heritage....
,
ManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. In 2007, the population of the city was estimated to be 458,100...
. Using a local field, the boys organised matches amongst themselves before moving to nearby
Moss SideMoss Side is an inner city, residential area and electoral ward of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies south of Manchester city centre and has a population of around 11,000...
.
In an attempt to recruit new members, the link with the school was broken in 1875 and the name Cavendish Football Club was adopted. They moved to a new base on the Salford side of the
River IrwellThe River Irwell is a long river which flows through the Irwell Valley in the counties of Lancashire and Greater Manchester in North West England. The river's source is at Irwell Springs on Deerplay Moor, approximately north of Bacup, in the parish of Cliviger, Lancashire...
at Throstle Nest Weir in
OrdsallOrdsall is an inner city area of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England. It is situated chiefly to the south of the A57 road and close to the River Irwell, the main boundary with the city of Manchester...
. Two seasons later, they moved again to the west side of Trafford Road to a ground known as the Mile Field where they spent the 1877/78 season. Their next home was a field north of the former
Manchester RacecourseManchester Racecourse was a former racecourse in Greater Manchester, England. Despite its name, Manchester Racecourse was located for all its life within the City of Salford; the racecourse moving several times in the 19th and 20th centuries...
, New Barnes. Their first season there, 1878/79, was the last to be played under the Cavendish name.
Cavendish became Salford Football Club in 1879. The first match as Salford was at
DewsburyDewsbury Rams RLFC are a professional rugby league team based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They will compete in the Co-operative Championship in 2010 after being crowned Championship 1 champions in 2009...
on 4 October, 1879. The following week heralded the first home match at New Barnes against
WidnesWidnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League...
, on 11 October, 1879. The result was a draw with one try each.
Salford struggled to attract support as there were few local players in the team. In 1881, they almost disbanded but instead merged with the Crescent Football Club. This placed Salford firmly on the rugby map, it was an exciting period and, during the remaining 15 years as members of the
Rugby Football UnionThe Rugby Football Union is the rugby union governing body for men's rugby in England - women's rugby is currently administered by the Rugby Football Union for Women . Among the Union's chief activities are conferences, organising international matches, and educating and training players and...
, seventeen Salford players were selected for
LancashireLancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Lancashire County Council is based in Preston. However, Lancaster is still considered to be the county town...
, three by the North of England and two, Harry Eagles and Tom Kent, for England. Since the 1881 merger, only 62 matches were lost from 263 played in the remaining nine years of the decade.
In 1889, Salford moved their headquarters to the nearby London and North Western Hotel on Cross Lane. Salford switched from their traditional amber, black and scarlet hoops to red jerseys. The club became the first side to win the Lancashire League in 1892/93.
In 1895, the leading Lancashire and Yorkshire clubs formed the breakaway
Northern UnionThe Rugby Football League is the governing body for rugby league in the United Kingdom. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, the Rugby League National Leagues and Super League...
(later known as the Rugby Football League), Salford initially remained loyal to the Rugby Football Union.
Salford were admitted to the Northern Union on 2 June, 1896. Their first competitive Northern Union match was on Saturday, 5 September, 1896, with a visit to Widnes. The Reds, competing in the Lancashire Senior Competition, lost 10-0, and only three matches were won in the League that season. Their form improved and they finished third place in 1898/99. In 1900, Salford met old local rivals,
SwintonSwinton Lions is a British professional rugby league club from Swinton and Pendlebury, Greater Manchester, England. The club has an impressive record in rugby league considering the size of the town with six Championships and three Challenge Cup wins....
, in the Challenge Cup final at
FallowfieldFallowfield Stadium was an athletics stadium and velodrome in Fallowfield, Manchester, England. It opened in May 1892 as the home of Manchester Athletics Club after it was forced to move from its home next to Old Trafford Cricket Ground...
,
ManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. In 2007, the population of the city was estimated to be 458,100...
. After a keenly fought contest, the result was a 16-8 win for Swinton.
20th century
In 1900, Salford received notice to vacate New Barnes as the
Manchester Ship CanalThe Manchester Ship Canal is a long river navigation in North West England. Designed to give the city of Manchester direct access to the sea, it was built between 1887 and 1894 at a cost of about £15 million , and in its day was the largest navigation canal in the world.The canal generally...
Company had purchased the land. Salford’s agreed a 14-year lease on of land belonging to the Willows Estate Company, named after the abundance of willow trees in the area. Salford made their début at The Willows on 21 December, 1901, beating Swinton 2-0, the official attendance reaching 16,981.
James LomasJames Lomas was a pioneering English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. Hailing from Maryport, Cumberland, his career lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923. A three-quarter and prominent goal-kicker, Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley to Salford...
became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from
BramleyBramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
to Salford in 1901.
The club continued making progress in the Challenge Cup, reaching the semi-final stages in 1902, 1903, 1906, 1907 and 1910. On three occasions, they succeeded in reaching the final, but lost 0-25 to
Broughton RangersBroughton Rangers was a British rugby league club. They were based in Broughton, Salford. The club's colours were blue and black. A new club was recently formed with the assistance of Salford RLFC. They have the name of "New Broughton Rangers".-History:...
in 1902, 0-7 to
HalifaxHalifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, hence the former nickname: The Blue Sox. They share The Shay stadium with football club...
in 1903 and 0-5 to
Bradford NorthernBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
in 1906. The Championship also proved elusive, the Reds finishing runners-up for three consecutive seasons from 1901/02. In the last of those, Salford and Bradford Northern finished level on points with Salford having the superior scoring record. Despite that, the Reds had to take part in a deciding match at Halifax, which they lost 5-0.
The Kiwis, then known as the All Golds, visited in 1907, and Salford played them on 28 December, losing 9-2 in front of a reported 9,000 spectators.
Lance ToddLancelot B. Todd was a New Zealand-born rugby league footballer and manager of the early 20th century. As a player he represented his country in 1907 and 1908 and played in England for the Wigan and Dewsbury clubs...
, who was to have such an influence at The Willows 20 years later, was in the New Zealanders' side. A year later, the Australians stopped off at The Willows on 17 October. The result was a 9-9 draw.
Salford won the
Rugby League ChampionshipThe Rugby Football League Championship was the major professional competition organised by the Rugby Football League in Great Britain. Since 1996 it has been superseded by the Super League and the Rugby League National Leagues...
in 1913/14. The club had financial problems and was in the hands of the official receiver but somehow in the Championship final, beat
Huddersfield Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
’s "Team of All Talents" 5-3.
In August 1914, the Salford Football Club Company was finally wound up and a new company, Salford Football Club (1914) Limited was formed. During the First World War, Salford continued to function, but it was a struggle. Thirty-two Salford players volunteered for the war, of which seven were killed.
The 1920s was an era of survival, on and off the field, the team opening the decade with their worst ever league placing, finishing last in 1920/21. There was a dramatic change of fortune during the summer of 1928 when
Lance ToddLancelot B. Todd was a New Zealand-born rugby league footballer and manager of the early 20th century. As a player he represented his country in 1907 and 1908 and played in England for the Wigan and Dewsbury clubs...
became team manager. In his first season in charge (1928/29), "Toddy’s Toddlers" went from 26th to fourth place in the table with virtually the same set of players.
Gus RismanAugustus "Gus" John F. Risman was a Welsh rugby league footballer of the 1930s.A devastating three-quarter who also played at fullback, Risman was born in Cardiff and played rugby union in South Wales as a schoolboy before being offered a trial by Salford.He made his debut for Salford on 31 August...
was talent-spotted by Lance Todd, when he was 17 years old. He made his début for Salford on 31 August, 1929. Other legendary names included
Alan EdwardsAlan Edwards AM MBE was an accomplished actor and founding Artistic Director of the Queensland Theatre Company in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia....
,
John "Jack" FeethamJohn "Jack" Feetham is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers, and Salford, playing at Prop forward, or Loose forward/Lock, i.e...
,
Barney HudsonBarney Hudson is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Salford, and Dewsbury, playing at Wing, i.e number 2 or 5.-International Honours:...
,
Emlyn JenkinsEmlyn Jenkins is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s and '40s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Treorchy RFC , Salford, and St Helens RLFC, playing at Stand-off/Five-Eighth, i.e number 6.-International...
,
Billy WatkinsBilly Watkins was a head coach of the Auburn college football program from 1900-1901.-Head Coaching Record:...
and
Billy WilliamsBilly Williams may refer to:* Billy Williams * Billy Williams , baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's* Billy Williams Billy Williams may refer to:* Billy Williams (cricketer)* Billy Williams (baseball), baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's* Billy Williams...
.
Salford were considered the leading club in the game during the 1930s, winning three
League ChampionshipsThe Rugby Football League Championship was the major professional competition organised by the Rugby Football League in Great Britain. Since 1996 it has been superseded by the Super League and the Rugby League National Leagues...
, five
Lancashire LeagueThe Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League formed two sections of the Rugby League Championship for much of its history. Initially, the 22 clubs that broke away in 1895 played in one combined league, however the following season saw the addition of many clubs, and the League was split into two...
Championships, four
Lancashire CupsHistorically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
and the Rugby League Challenge Cup.
Salford were invited to tour
FranceFrance , officially the French Republic , is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean...
in 1934 to promote
rugby leagueRugby league football is a full-contact form of football, played with a prolate spheroid ball by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. Rugby league is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby union...
in the country. Before going to France, Salford were regarded as a top side by the French and - after their 6-0 whitewash of the tour sides - were given their unofficial nickname;
Les Diables Rouges - The Red Devils by French journalists.
Salford's highest attendance was set on 13 February, 1937 when 26,470 turned up to watch Salford versus
WarringtonThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
in the first round of the Challenge Cup.
Salford beat
BarrowBarrow Raiders are a British professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness.Barrow's colours are blue and white.-Early years:Barrow F.C. were formed in 1875. It is thought that Tom H. Baynes, a shipping clerk, was the driving force behind the club's foundation. As well as being a player, he...
7-4 in the final of the 1938 Challenge Cup at Wembley. A famous photograph was taken of Gus Risman and the cup being carried shoulder high round the stadium by his team-mates, and he the only one without a cigarette in his hand.
On 3 September, 1939, the Second World War began and the 1939/40 season was abandoned. A wartime Emergency League was organised but, at the beginning of January 1941, Salford decided to cease play, due to poor gates. In November 1942,
Lance ToddLancelot B. Todd was a New Zealand-born rugby league footballer and manager of the early 20th century. As a player he represented his country in 1907 and 1908 and played in England for the Wigan and Dewsbury clubs...
was killed in a car crash.
Post war
In 1946, Salford appeared to be on their way to a third consecutive peacetime final, but Salford lost, unexpectedly, at home to
HunsletHunslet Hawks is a British professional rugby league club. They are based in Hunslet, to the south of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club are sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium.-History:-Early years:...
(15-8) at the quarter final stage. In the second post-war season, 1946/47, Salford slid to twenty-second, a dramatic climb followed and the team finished seventh in 1948/49, and fifth in 1949/50. But it was a false dawn and the team fell into mid-table obscurity during the 1950s.
When Gus Risman quit as a player in 1954, he coached Salford for four years, before moving on to
OldhamOldham Roughyeds are a English professional rugby league club, currently playing in the Co-operative Championship 1. They are based in Oldham in Greater Manchester....
.
Saturday 26 November, 1955 saw television cameras at The Willows for the first time when the second half of the match against
New ZealandThe New Zealand national rugby league side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are administered by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Kiwis are the current Rugby League world champions.The Kiwis won the...
was broadcast live on BBC Grandstand. Salford hosted their first floodlit game, using Manchester United’s ground on Wednesday 5 November, 1958 against
LeedsLeeds Rhinos, or informally Leeds or The Rhinos, are an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They are the current European Super League champions. Leeds introduced the Rhinos nickname and logo in 1997...
. Leeds won 22-17.
On Saturday 1 September, 1962, Salford suffered what was then their largest margin of defeat, when they lost 59-0 at St Helens.
Brian Snape succeeded Jim Hammond as chairman in September 1963. Snape appointed Griff Jenkins as secretary-coach in 1964, and the Reds immediately started to climb the league ladder. In June 1967 The Willows switched on its floodlights for the first time in the match with Widnes on Friday 11 March, 1966. From that evening, Friday night was rugby league night as the fans flocked to The Willows.
In October 1967 David Watkins joined Salford for £15,000, a then club record. Watkins scored in 92 consecutive matches for Salford from 19 August, 1972 to 25 April, 1974. He totalled 929 points from 41 tries and 403 goals.
In 1967, the Rugby Football League gave permission for games to be played on Sunday for the first time. The Willows staged its first Sunday fixture, a friendly with French club,
CavaillonCavaillon is a commune of the Vaucluse département, in southern France.-Geography:The Calavon, a tributary of the Durance locally called Coulon, flows westward through the middle of the commune.The Durance forms the commune's south-western border....
, on 5 May, 1968. It was not until the following season that the Reds were at home in their first competitive Sunday match, a second round Challenge Cup-tie against
Workington TownWorkington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship . Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team....
on 23 February, 1969, Salford winning 12-5, destined for their third Wembley final which they lost 11-6 to
CastlefordCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas' 'Cas Tigers' or 'Classy Cas'...
.
Salford lost the uniqueness of their red devil nickname when local soccer team Manchester United decided to replace their "Busby's Babes" nickname following the Munich crash.
Matt BusbySir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
liked the sound of
"Red Devils", thinking a devil was more intimidating to opponents than angelic babes and Manchester United copied "The Red Devils" nickname.
In October 1972, Salford reached the final of the
Lancashire CupHistorically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
for the first time since 1938, beating
SwintonSwinton Lions is a British professional rugby league club from Swinton and Pendlebury, Greater Manchester, England. The club has an impressive record in rugby league considering the size of the town with six Championships and three Challenge Cup wins....
25-11 at
WarringtonThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
to win their first trophy in thirty-three years. Salford reached the next three Lancashire Cup finals, but failed to recapture the cup in any of them. They were also runners-up to Leeds in the 1972-73 Players No.6 Trophy. In 1973/74 and 1975/76 the club claimed two Championships and won the 1974/75
BBC2 Floodlit TrophyThe BBC2 Floodlit Trophy was a competition for British rugby league clubs held between 1965 and 1980. It was designed specifically for television, and the then director of BBC2, broadcaster David Attenborough, was instrumental in its creation...
.
Salford’s last major final of the 1970s was the 1976 Premiership Trophy decider played at Station Road, Swinton. Salford conceded three tries in the last 12 minutes to lose 15-2. As the 1970s drew to a close, many star players had retired or were approaching the veteran stage, with no funds available to replace them.
In the 1976-77 season, the Salford versus Leeds match was abandoned just after half-time, after Chris Sanderson of Leeds suffered a fatal injury, after 38 minutes. Leeds were ahead 5-2, but the game was declared null and void and not replayed.
On 3 January, 1982,
John WilkinsonJohn Wilkinson OBE has been chairman of Salford City Reds rugby league club since 1982. He was born in Walkden . He also owns the Cebora steel company, who were the main shirt sponsors of the Salford City Reds until 2006, when they were replaced by The Trafford Centre He was given an OBE in 2005...
took over as chairman. Wilkinson inherited a club living above its income, forcing him to make cost saving measures. While the books were being balanced, steady progress was made on it, the Reds pulling off a major coup with the signing of Australian full-back
Garry JackGarry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a fullback for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of...
in 1988. The Lancashire Cup final was reached in 1988, the Reds losing narrowly to favourites
WiganWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
.
1990 turned out to be his golden year under coach Kevin Tamati. Salford won the Second Division Championship, losing just one game all season. In the Premiership final in front of 50,000 at
Old TraffordOld Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, the Red Devils beat
HalifaxHalifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, hence the former nickname: The Blue Sox. They share The Shay stadium with football club...
27-20. They also made the final of the Lancashire Cup, losing narrowly to favourites Widnes.
During the 1990s, the team rewarded Wilkinson with five trophies; Division Two Championship (1990/91), Division Two Premiership (1991), Division One (formerly Division Two) Championship (1995/96 and 1996) and Divisional Premiership 1996.
European Super League
Andy GregoryAndrew Gregory is an English former rugby league footballer.Gregory was born in Wigan and having played junior rugby league in the town, Gregory played for Widnes and Warrington before signing for Wigan in 1986 for a reported £130,000....
finished his playing days as player-coach at Salford in 1995. Salford finished with 21 points; six-points clear of Hull and seemingly safe from the drop into the lower leagues.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/rugby-league/Keighley39s-Super-League-omission-a.991932.jp However, a
Rupert MurdochKeith Rupert Murdoch, AC , usually known as Rupert Murdoch, is an Australian-born American global media mogul. He owns media outlets and is a major shareholder, chairman and managing director of News Corporation ....
funded Super League competition was proposed, part of the deal was that some traditional clubs would merge. Salford were to merge with
OldhamOldham Roughyeds are a English professional rugby league club, currently playing in the Co-operative Championship 1. They are based in Oldham in Greater Manchester....
to form a
Manchester club that would compete in Super League. This was resisted but Salford were not included in the new competition. Salford added Reds to their name for the 1995/96 season which was expanded to Salford City Reds in 1999. It would be just 12 months before Salford reclaimed their place in Super League by edging out Keighley to win the First Division.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/rugby-league/Keighley39s-Super-League-omission-a.991932.jp
Gregory left Salford by mutual consent in May 1999 to concentrate on his pub business in Wigan.
Steve McCormackSteve McCormack is the former head coach of National League One club Widnes Vikings. He is currently head coach of Scotland RLHis first coaching appointment had been at Salford City Reds, who made him the youngest coach in Super League at the age of just 28 in 2001 but was sacked just 10 months...
became the youngest Super League coach at the age of just 28 in 2001 but was sacked just 10 months later, for his outrageous attacks on the stadium's grass cutters. He was replaced by
Karl HarrisonKarl Harrison, is an English former rugby league player and coach. He was a player for Hull and Halifax, and also represented Great Britain at prop forward. He won the last of his 14 International caps in 1994. He was the head coach of Salford City Reds rugby league team for five years, before...
, who had been Assistant Coach to
Brian NobleBrian 'Nobby' D. Noble is an English former rugby league footballer, who is currently head coach of the Welsh side Celtic Crusaders. Noble is also the former coach of the Great Britain National Rugby League team...
at
BradfordBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
.
Salford City Reds struggled in the 2002 season and Harrison was unable to keep the club in the Super League, despite a good end to the season. Indeed, they went into the final match of the season second from bottom (only the bottom club were relegated that season). However, a home defeat to
CastlefordCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas' 'Cas Tigers' or 'Classy Cas'...
, coupled with a home win for
Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
over
WarringtonThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
, resulted in relegation for the Reds.
The 2003 season was spent in the National League 1, where the Reds - remaining as a full-time club (most other NL1 teams were part-time or amateur clubs) - performed very well, losing only 2 games all season. On their way to finishing top of the National League 1 table, Salford also won the Arriva Trains Cup beating
LeighLeigh Centurions are a professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Lancashire, England. They were relegated from Super League at the end of the 2005 season to the Co-operative Championship...
in the final. Having finished on top of the NL1 table, Salford entered the NL1 play-offs, needing to win their match to qualify for the final. They beat Leigh in a bad-tempered match, to qualify for the NL1 Grand Final. Leigh were forced into a knock-out semi-final to try to get through to the Grand Final - a play-off match they ultimately won.
Salford City Reds then comfortably beat Leigh in the Grand Final, to gain promotion to Super League after one season out. It was the sixth time out of seven meetings between the two that Salford had beaten Leigh that season (the first match ended in a draw). Leigh would follow Salford into Super League the following season. 2004 was a consolidatory season for the Reds, notably mostly for an impressive home win over St Helens and coming from 12 points behind Castleford in a game three times in the season to win all three games, the third of which - at Castleford's "The Jungle" ground confirmed Salford's survival in the Super League and practically relegated
"Cas" in the process. In the end the Reds finished 9th.
The 2005 seasonengage Super League X is the official name of 2005's Super League season. It was the 10th season of Super League and saw twelve teams from across England compete for the premiership. The season kicked off in early February, culminating in a six team play-off seriesThe Grand Final, held at Old...
saw Salford Reds sign Luke Robinson and David Hodgson from Wigan, both of whom performed excellently well for the Reds all season. Although Salford were unable to improve on the 9th place finish of the previous season, they were regarded as one of the most improved teams in Super League, and finished 6-points higher than they had the season before. However, relegation was again a real threat, as - to accommodate Les Catalans from
FranceFrance , officially the French Republic , is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean...
into Super League in 2006 - two clubs were relegated in 2005 instead of just one. Leigh comfortably finished bottom of the table, losing 14 games in a row.
WidnesWidnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League...
were also relegated, 6-points behind the Reds.
Salford's move to the proposed new
City of Salford StadiumThe City of Salford Stadium1 is the new home of the Salford City Reds rugby league club. It is due to be built in Barton, near Eccles, Greater Manchester, England....
in Barton was reviewed by the
Salford City CouncilThe City of Salford , is a local government district of Greater Manchester, England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Swinton, Walkden, Eccles, and Irlam which apart from...
's planning committee on 17 November 2005. Salford chairman
John WilkinsonJohn Wilkinson OBE has been chairman of Salford City Reds rugby league club since 1982. He was born in Walkden . He also owns the Cebora steel company, who were the main shirt sponsors of the Salford City Reds until 2006, when they were replaced by The Trafford Centre He was given an OBE in 2005...
and club director Patricia Goldsmith were both very hopeful that the plans would be approved, allowing Salford to join the ranks of more senior clubs, such as Wigan, St Helens and
BradfordBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
, who have a higher salary cap. They were - along with all Salford Reds fans - delighted when the plans were approved. However, the plans were referred to the Department of the Office of the
Deputy Prime MinisterJohn Leslie Prescott is a British Labour politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Hull East since 1970; from 1997 to 2007, he was the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, also serving as First Secretary of State from 2001...
, and - in January 2006 - it was announced that the Department had ordered a full review of the plans, putting a further delay to the start of the building of the stadium.
The
2006 SeasonEngage Super League XI was the official name for the year 2006's Super League season in the sport of rugby league in Europe. Bradford Bulls were looking to retain the title they won in Super League X....
started wonderfully for the Reds, with wins at
WarringtonThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
, and a 16-0 whitewash of Les Catalans Dragons at the Willows. Further wins over
WiganWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
and
Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
meant that Salford had won 4 of their opening 5 games (losing badly to
BradfordBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
in round 3). Salford would become regarded as the most unfortunate team in SLXI losing eight games by fewer than 6 points, including 1 point defeats to
LeedsLeeds Rhinos, or informally Leeds or The Rhinos, are an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They are the current European Super League champions. Leeds introduced the Rhinos nickname and logo in 1997...
,
HullHull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull FC, is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the European Super League...
and
Harlequins RLHarlequins Rugby League is a rugby league club representing the greater London area. They are currently the premier rugby league side in London, and play in the European Super League. They have since been joined in the professional ranks by the London Skolars in 2003...
and 2 point defeats to Leeds and St Helens. However, Salford's victory over
CastlefordCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas' 'Cas Tigers' or 'Classy Cas'...
on 10 September 2006, ensured that they would play in the Super League play-offs for the first time in their history in a season they had started as favourites for relegation according to most pundits.
In their first ever Super League play-off match, Salford City Reds were routed 52-6 at
Odsal StadiumOdsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls since 1934...
against Bradford on Saturday 23 September 2006. In late November 2006, it was confirmed that the government department now in charge of overseeing the full review (after John Prescott had his cabinet portfolio removed earlier in the year) - the Office of the
Secretary of State for Communities and Local GovernmentThe Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, is a Cabinet position heading the UK's Department for Communities and Local Government....
,
Ruth KellyRuth Maria Kelly is a British Labour politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Bolton West since 1997, athough she will stand down as an MP at the next general election...
, had approved the plans for the stadium. Ruth herself, as
Member of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a parliament. In many countries the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a unique title, such as senate, and thus also have unique titles for its members, such as senators. Members of...
for the nearby
Bolton WestBolton West is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
could not take the decision personally, as - due to the close proximity of
BoltonBolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Situated close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
and
SalfordThe City of Salford , is a local government district of Greater Manchester, England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Swinton, Walkden, Eccles, and Irlam which apart from...
any decision could have been viewed as a conflict of interests.
Karl HarrisonKarl Harrison, is an English former rugby league player and coach. He was a player for Hull and Halifax, and also represented Great Britain at prop forward. He won the last of his 14 International caps in 1994. He was the head coach of Salford City Reds rugby league team for five years, before...
was sacked as first team coach on 22 May 2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/salford/6679643.stm following a disastrous run of form that saw the Reds win just three games and draw another in the opening 16 rounds of
the 2007 SeasonEngage Super League XII is the official name for the year 2007's Super League season in the sport of rugby league.The 2007 season kicked off on the weekend of February 2, 2007 at the Galpharm Stadium. For the first time, the league had a staggered start due to the World Club Challenge between St...
, and left them languishing at the bottom of the League Table with a meagre 7 points. Team Director of Football, Steve Simms took over in a
caretaker managerIn association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the affairs of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
role for two games, winning the first against an in-form
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
, and only losing by a single point against then World Champions, St Helens.
On 11 June, 2007 long-term favourite to take the role,
Shaun McRaeShaun McRae is the head coach of the Salford City Reds.Shaun McRae, nicknamed 'Bomber', was born in 1959 and began his rugby league coaching career as Head Coach with St Helens in the European Super League, where he won the Coach of the Year award in 1996...
was announced as the new Head Coach. On 15 June 2007, Salford beat
HarlequinsHarlequins Rugby League is a rugby league club representing the greater London area. They are currently the premier rugby league side in London, and play in the European Super League. They have since been joined in the professional ranks by the London Skolars in 2003...
5-2 in the first (and, to date, only) Super League game not to contain a
tryA try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
. On 2 September 2007, Salford were relegated from
Super LeagueSuper League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition of Europe. As a result of sponsorship from Engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the Engage Super League...
when
Hull KRHull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is a British professional rugby league football club that competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006. Their ground is New Craven Park in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. In Super League 2009 Hull KR play in their traditional...
beat
HullHull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull FC, is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the European Super League...
42-6.
Salford City Reds were awarded a three year Super League license in July 2008 as the game moved abandoned automatic promotion and relegation in favour of franchising.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3851281,00.html
2009 Squad
As of 6 January, 2009:
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="font-size:90%"
{| width=95%
|- bgcolor=#FFFF33
!width=5%|Number
!width=5%|Nat
!!width=20%|Player
!width=20%|Position
!width=30%|Previous Club
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
1
|align=center|IRE
|
Karl FitzpatrickKarl Fitzpatrick is a full back for the Salford City Reds rugby league team.Karl was originally a scrum half before he switched to full back. He is a product of Wigan St Pats. Fitzpatrick began his professional career at Widnes Vikings, followed by spells at Tonneins and Swinton Lions.Karl signed...
|align=center|Full back
|align=center|
Widnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
2
|align=center|PNG
|John Wilshire
|align=center|Wing
|align=center|
Leigh CenturionsLeigh Centurions are a professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Lancashire, England. They were relegated from Super League at the end of the 2005 season to the Co-operative Championship...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
3
|align=center|AUS
|
Mark HenryMark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment performing on its Raw brand. Aside from wrestling, he is a 1992 Olympian and winner of the Arnold Schwarzenegger Strongest Man Contest...
|align=center|Centre
|align=center|
North Queensland CowboysThe North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's top rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership....
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
4
|align=center|SAM
|
Willie TalauViliamu Talau is a rugby league player who plays for Salford City Reds and Samoa.-Early Years:Talau played for the Taranaki Rockets in the Lion Red Cup before being signed by the Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League...
|align=center|Centre
|align=center|St Helens
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
5
|align=center|ENG
|
Paul WhitePaul White is a rugby league footballer who used to play for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.Paul White's usual position is wing, but he can also play as fullback or hooker.White is a great exponent of broken-field play due to his electric pace...
|align=center|Wing
|align=center|
Wakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
6
|align=center|NZL
|Jeremy Smith
|align=center|Stand Off
|align=center|
South Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-Central Sydney. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the New South Wales capital...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
7
|align=center|ENG
|Richard Myler
|align=center|Scrum Half
|align=center|
Widnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
8
|align=center|AUS
|
Ray CashmereRay Cashmere is a professional rugby league player currently playing for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League competition...
|align=center|Prop
|align=center|
North Queensland CowboysThe North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's top rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership....
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
9
|align=center|ENG
|
Malcolm AlkerMalcolm Alker is a hooker and captain for the Salford City Reds rugby league team.Alker played his entire professional rugby league career at Salford and had his testimonial year in 2006. He has represented Lancashire and England...
|align=center|Hooker
|align=center|
Wigan St PatricksWigan St. Patricks is an Amateur Rugby League football club. It is situated in the Ince district of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. It is a feeder club to the Professional club Wigan Warriors. It has teams at ages ranging from under 8s all the way through to open age...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
10
|align=center|AUS
|
Craig StapletonCraig Stapleton is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Salford City Reds in the Super League. Stapleton formerly played for St. George and St...
|align=center|Prop
|align=center|
Cronulla SharksThe Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional rugby league team based in Cronulla, New South Wales in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
11
|align=center|ENG
|
Ian SibbittIan Sibbit is a second row for the Salford City Reds rugby league team.Sibbit signed for Salford in 2004 from the Warrington Wolves having also played for Melbourne Storm.-External links:**...
|align=center|Second Row
|align=center|
Warrington WolvesThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
12
|align=center|ENG
|Rob Parker
|align=center|Second Row
|align=center|
Warrington WolvesThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
13
|align=center|AUS
|
Luke SwainLuke Swain, is a professional rugby league player for the Gold Coast Titans in the Australian National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Penrith Panthers...
|align=center|Loose Forward
|align=center|
Gold Coast TitansThe Gold Coast Titans lead by captain Scott Prince, are an Australian professional rugby league football team based on the Gold Coast in Queensland...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
14
|align=center|ENG
|
Jordan TurnerJordan Turner is a rugby league player for the Salford City Reds in Super League. He plays as a loose-forward.-External links:**...
|align=center|Loose Forward
|align=center|Salford City Reds
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
15
|align=center|Ireland
|
Stuart LittlerStuart Littler is an English rugby league player.Littler plays for the Salford City Reds in the European Super League....
|align=center|Centre
|align=center|Leigh Miners Rangers
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
16
|align=center|Samoa
|
Phillip LeuluaiPhillip Leuluai is a New Zealand rugby league player of Samoan heritage and descent who currently plays for the Salford City Reds in the Super League competition...
|align=center|Prop
|align=center|
Cronulla SharksThe Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are an Australian professional rugby league team based in Cronulla, New South Wales in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
17
|align=center|NZL
|
Robbie PaulRobert Rawiri Paul , popularly known as Robbie Paul is a rugby league player for the Salford City Reds in England. His junior club was the Te Atatu Roosters in West Auckland. He has previously represented the New Zealand national side. His position of choice is at scrum-half...
|align=center|Half Back
|align=center|
Huddersfield Giants Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
18
|align=center|ENG
|
Lee JewittLee Jewitt is an English professional rugby league player. He plays in prop for the Salford City Reds.He played in Wigan's Academy U18s in 2003–05. He stepped up into the U21s in 2004–05 and was drafted into the first team squad in September 2005 before the derby with St Helens.-External links:**...
|align=center|Prop
|align=center|
Wigan WarriorsWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
19
|align=center|Serbia
|
Stefan RatchfordStefan Ratchford is an English-Serbian rugby league player for the Salford City Reds in the Super League. He is seen as a utility, having played in the halves and on the wing. He was named in the England squad for 2009 Four Nations and is also likely to be named in the Serbian squad for the...
|align=center|Hooker
|align=center|Salford City Reds
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
20
|align=center|ENG
|
Luke AdamsonLuke Adamson is a rugby league player for the Salford City Reds in Super League. He plays in the second-row.A powerful young forward tipped for a very big future in the professional game...
|align=center|Second Row
|align=center|Leigh East
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
21
|align=center|ENG
|
Andrew ThornleyAndrew Thornley is an English rugby league player who plays for Salford City Reds after joining from Wigan Warriors.-References:*...
|align=center|Wing
|align=center|
Wigan WarriorsWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
22
|align=center|ENG
|
Stephen NashStephen Nash is a rugby league player for the Salford City Reds in National League One. He plays as a prop. He has previously played for the Widnes Vikings in the European Super League.-External links:**...
|align=center|Prop
|align=center|
Widnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
23
|align=center|ENG
|Adam Sidlow
|align=center|Prop
|align=center|
Widnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League...
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
24
|align=center|ENG
|
Dean McGilvrayDean McGilvray is a rugby league footballer who plays for Salford City Reds in the Super League. A dimunitive winger, he made his debut for St Helens in 2006 against the Catalans Dragons....
|align=center|Centre
|align=center|St Helens
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
25
|align=center|ENG
|Jason Walton
|align=center|Loose Forward
|align=center|Salford City Reds
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
26
|align=center|ENG
|Marlon Alker
|align=center|Centre
|align=center|Salford City Reds
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
27
|align=center|ENG
|Lewis Palfrey
|align=center|Stand off
|align=center|Salford City Reds
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|align=center|
28
|align=center|ENG
|
Jack SpencerJack Spencer is a self-taught American photographer.Spencer was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi and his first love was music, performing in rock bands making a recording. He is probably best know for his series, Native Soil that featured deep sepia tones combined with deep-South imagery...
|align=center|Loose Forward
|align=center|Salford City Reds
|- bgcolor=#FF9999
|}
2009 Signings/Transfers
Gains
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="font-size:90%"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan=4 | Gains
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
|-
! Player !! Previous Club !! Years Signed !! Until the End of
|-
|AUS
Ray CashmereRay Cashmere is a professional rugby league player currently playing for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League competition...
||
North Queensland CowboysThe North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's top rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership....
|| 2 Years || 2010
|-
|NZLJeremy Smith ||
South Sydney RabbitohsThe South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-Central Sydney. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the New South Wales capital...
|| 2 Years ||
|-
|AUS
Mark Henry (rugby league)Mark Henry is an Australian professional rugby league player.He joined European Super League side Salford City Reds for the 2009 season.-Point Scoring Summary - North Queensland Cowboys:...
||
North Queensland CowboysThe North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's top rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership....
|| ||
|-
|AUS
Luke SwainLuke Swain, is a professional rugby league player for the Gold Coast Titans in the Australian National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Penrith Panthers...
||
Gold Coast TitansThe Gold Coast Titans lead by captain Scott Prince, are an Australian professional rugby league football team based on the Gold Coast in Queensland...
|| 2 Year || 2010
|-
|SAM
Willie TalauViliamu Talau is a rugby league player who plays for Salford City Reds and Samoa.-Early Years:Talau played for the Taranaki Rockets in the Lion Red Cup before being signed by the Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League...
|| St Helens || 2 Years || 2010
|-
|ENGRob Parker ||
Warrington WolvesThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
|| 2 Years || 2010
|-
|}
Losses
{| class="wikitable" width="65%" style="font-size:90%"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan=11 | Losses
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
|-
! Player !! Signed For !! Date Departed
|-
|ENG
Mat GardnerMat Gardner is a rugby league player, who currently plays for Harlequins Rugby League. He is the younger brother of St Helens winger Ade Gardner...
|| Harlequins || 2008
|-
|ENG
Steve BannisterSteve Bannister is an English rugby league player.Bannister plays for Halifax RLFC in the Co-Operative Championship.Steve Bannister's position of choice is as a second row. He can also operate in the centres....
||
Widnes VikingsWidnes Vikings RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They play in the Co-Operative Championship, which is the second tier of European Rugby League...
|| 2008
|-
|ENG
Andrew BrocklehurstAndrew Brocklehurst is a second row rugby league player.Brocklehurst joined Salford City Reds in 2004 from London Broncos . He has also played for Halifax and is a coach at his former amateur side....
|| Barrow Raiders || 2008
|-
|ENG
Paul HightonPaul Highton is a prop or second row for the Oldham Roughyeds rugby league team. He was born in Oldham, Greater Manchester.Highton played for Waterhead A.R.L. Club prior to turning professional at Halifax in the 1994-95 season...
||
Oldham RoughyedsOldham Roughyeds are a English professional rugby league club, currently playing in the Co-operative Championship 1. They are based in Oldham in Greater Manchester....
|| 2008
|-
|ITAChris Borgese || || 2008
|-
|ENGAndy Ballard || || 2008
|-
|ENG
Luke AmblerLuke Ambler is a rugby league prop. Ambler was born in Holmfield, Halifax, West Yorkshire.Ambler made his full debut with the Salford City Reds in August 2008. In December of the same year, following the expiry of his contract with the Reds, he signed on for a two-year contract with the Leeds...
||
Leeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos, or informally Leeds or The Rhinos, are an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They are the current European Super League champions. Leeds introduced the Rhinos nickname and logo in 1997...
|| 2008
|-
|ENG
Daley WilliamsDaley Williams is a rugby league player for the Keighley Cougars. He plays on the wing.Before joining the Cougars, Williams played for the Salford City Reds.-References:...
||
Keighley CougarsKeighley Cougars are a semi-professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2010 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 28-26 against Oldham...
|| 2008
|-
|}
Coaches
- Les Bettinson (Dec 73 - Mar 77)
- Colin Dixon
Colin J. Dixon was a rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Great Britain , and Wales , and at club level for Cardiff RFC , Halifax RLFC, Salford, and Hull Kingston Rovers, playing at second row, i.e...
(Mar 77 - Jan 78)
- Stan McCormick
Stan 'Mac' McCormick was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s, and coach of the 1960s and '70s. A Great Britain international representative winger, he played at club level for Belle Vue Rangers, St Helens RLFC, and Warrington, with whom he won the 1954 Challenge...
? (Feb 78 - Mar 78)
- Alex Murphy
Alex J. Murphy OBE was an English rugby league footballer and coach who enjoyed a prodigious career as a scrum-half, often as controversial as he was prolific...
(May 78 - Nov 80)
- Kevin Ashcroft
Kevin Ashcroft is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Rochdale Hornets, Dewsbury, Leigh, Warrington, and Salford, playing as Hooker, i.e...
(Nov 80 - Mar 82)
- Alan McInnes (Mar 82 - May 82)
- Malcolm Aspey (May 82 - Oct 83)
- Mike Coulman
Michael John Coulman is an English former rugby football player and coach. He played at the highest levels in both rugby union and rugby league - a dual-code rugby international....
(Oct 83 - May 84)
- Kevin Ashcroft
Kevin Ashcroft is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Rochdale Hornets, Dewsbury, Leigh, Warrington, and Salford, playing as Hooker, i.e...
(May 84 - Oct 89)
- Kevin Tamati (Oct 89 - July 93)
- Garry Jack
Garry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a fullback for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of...
(July 93 - Mar 95)
- Andy Gregory
Andrew Gregory is an English former rugby league footballer.Gregory was born in Wigan and having played junior rugby league in the town, Gregory played for Widnes and Warrington before signing for Wigan in 1986 for a reported £130,000....
(Mar 95 - May 99)
- John Harvey
John Harvey is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s and coach of the 1990s. He played for Manly-Warringah and Eastern Suburbs and coached theGold Coast Seagulls and Salford City Reds...
(Jun 99 - Jul 2001)
- Steve McCormack
Steve McCormack is the former head coach of National League One club Widnes Vikings. He is currently head coach of Scotland RLHis first coaching appointment had been at Salford City Reds, who made him the youngest coach in Super League at the age of just 28 in 2001 but was sacked just 10 months...
(July 2001 - May 2002)
- Karl Harrison
Karl Harrison, is an English former rugby league player and coach. He was a player for Hull and Halifax, and also represented Great Britain at prop forward. He won the last of his 14 International caps in 1994. He was the head coach of Salford City Reds rugby league team for five years, before...
(Jun 2002 -May 2007)
- Shaun McRae
Shaun McRae is the head coach of the Salford City Reds.Shaun McRae, nicknamed 'Bomber', was born in 1959 and began his rugby league coaching career as Head Coach with St Helens in the European Super League, where he won the Coach of the Year award in 1996...
(Jun 2007 - present)
Stadium
Salford City Reds currently play their home games at
The WillowsThe Willows is home of the Salford Rugby League Football Club. It is a small mainly terraced stadium with one main stand. The capacity is 11,363 with 2,500 seats....
. It is a small mainly terraced stadium with one main stand. The capacity is 11,363 with 2,500 seats. The Willows is also a local entertainment complex and has several function rooms, which are used to hold meetings, wedding receptions and other parties. Small concerts are regularly held in the function building.
Salford City Reds are looking to move into a new, purpose-built stadium in Barton, Greater Manchester, working under the initial stadium name, the
City of Salford StadiumThe City of Salford Stadium1 is the new home of the Salford City Reds rugby league club. It is due to be built in Barton, near Eccles, Greater Manchester, England....
.
Honours
- Championship
The Rugby Football League Championship was the major professional competition organised by the Rugby Football League in Great Britain. Since 1996 it has been superseded by the Super League and the Rugby League National Leagues...
(6): 1913-14, 1932-33, 1936-37, 1938-39, 1973-74, 1975-76
- Challenge Cup: 1937-38
- Second Division
Within British rugby league there have been periods when the Championship has been divided into two divisions, with promotion and relegation between the two...
(including National League OneThe Rugby League Championship was formerly the National League One. With the inclusion of a French team in 2009 it has taken a more European dimension and has changed its denomination...
): 1990-91, 1995-96The 1995-96 Rugby Football League season was the 101st ever season of rugby league football. Eleven English teams competed from August, 1995 until January, 1996 for the Stones Bitter Centenary Championship. The season was kept brief to accommodate the first season of the new Super League...
, 2003Tetley's Super League VII was the official name for the year 2002's Super League championship season, the 108th season of top-level professional rugby league held in Britain, and the seventh championship run by Super League...
, 2008 (4 times)
- Divisional Premiership: 1990-91
- Lancashire Cup
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
: 1931-32, 1934-35, 1935-36, 1936-37, 1972-72 (5 times)
- Lancashire League
The Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League formed two sections of the Rugby League Championship for much of its history. Initially, the 22 clubs that broke away in 1895 played in one combined league, however the following season saw the addition of many clubs, and the League was split into two...
: 1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35, 1936-37, 1938-39 (5 times)
- BBC2 Floodlit Trophy
The BBC2 Floodlit Trophy was a competition for British rugby league clubs held between 1965 and 1980. It was designed specifically for television, and the then director of BBC2, broadcaster David Attenborough, was instrumental in its creation...
: 1974-75
- Arriva Trains Cup: 2003, 2008
Players earning International Caps while at Salford
- Malcolm Alker
Malcolm Alker is a hooker and captain for the Salford City Reds rugby league team.Alker played his entire professional rugby league career at Salford and had his testimonial year in 2006. He has represented Lancashire and England...
(Testimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
2006), for England while at Salford 2005 France, New Zealand
- Peter Banner (#7), for Wales while at Salford circa-1975 ?-caps (World Cup 1975 7-caps, 2-tries)
- Steve Blakeley
Steve Blakeley is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s who at representative level has played for and England, and at club level for Salford.-International Honours:...
, for England while at Salford 1996 France, Wales (sub); 1999 France (sub)
- H. Buckler (#12), for Other Nations
The Other nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
while at Salford 1904 England
- William "Bill" Burgess
William "Bill" Burgess is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Barrow, and Salford, playing at Wing, i.e...
, for England while at BarrowBarrow Raiders are a British professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness.Barrow's colours are blue and white.-Early years:Barrow F.C. were formed in 1875. It is thought that Tom H. Baynes, a shipping clerk, was the driving force behind the club's foundation. As well as being a player, he...
1962 France; 1969 Wales, France, for Great Britain while at BarrowBarrow Raiders are a British professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness.Barrow's colours are blue and white.-Early years:Barrow F.C. were formed in 1875. It is thought that Tom H. Baynes, a shipping clerk, was the driving force behind the club's foundation. As well as being a player, he...
1962 France; 1963 Australia; 1965 New Zealand x 2; 1966 France, Australia x 3, New Zealand x 2; 1967 France, Australia; 1968 France; while at Salford 1969 France
- Chris Charles
Chris Charles is a loose forward for the Salford City Reds rugby league team.Chris signed for Salford in 2003 from Hull KR, where he started his professional career. He is the main goal-kicker for the Reds....
, for England while at Salford 2005 France
- Paul Charlton
H. Paul Charlton is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Workington Town , and Salford, playing at Fullback, i.e...
http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/index.php?feat_id=285 (#1), for England while at Salford 1975 France, for Great Britain while at WorkingtonWorkington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship . Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team....
1965 New Zealand; while at Salford 1970 New Zealand (sub); 1972 France x 2, Australia x 2, France, New Zealand; 1973 Australia x 3; 1974 France x 2, Australia x 3, New Zealand x 3 (World Cup 1970 1-cap; 1972 4-caps, 1-try)
- Andy Coley
Andy Coley is a rugby league player who plays for Wigan Warriors. He plays as a prop.Andy was born in Warrington, and signed for Swinton Lions, and in 2001 signed for Salford City Reds as a second row forward prior to the 2001 season, but has since moved up into the front row.Andy has represented...
, for England while at Salford 2004 Russia, France, Ireland, for Great Britain while at Salford 2007 France
- Mike Coulman
Michael John Coulman is an English former rugby football player and coach. He played at the highest levels in both rugby union and rugby league - a dual-code rugby international....
(Testimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1979), for England while at Salford 1975 France, Wales, Wales, Australia, Papua New Guinea; 1977 France, for Great Britain while at Salford 1971 France (sub), New Zealand x 2
- Jason Critchley
Jason Critchley is a former rugby league player.Critchley was a Wales international and played at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.-External links:*...
, for England while at Salford 1992 Wales (sub)
- George Curran
George Curran is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Salford, and Liverpool City, playing at Prop forward, or Hooker, i.e...
, for England while at Salford 1946 Wales x 2, France; 1947 Wales x 2, France; 1948 France x 2, Wales; 1949 Wales, France x 2, for Great Britain while at Salford 1946 Australia, New Zealand; 1947 New Zealand; 1948-49 Australia x 3
- Ephraim Curzon
Ephraim Curzon was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Salford, playing at Second-row forward, or Loose forward/Lock, i.e...
, for Great Britain while at Salford circa-1910
- Patrick "Paddy" Dalton
Patrick "Paddy" Dalton is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s who at representative level has played for and England, and at club level for Salford.-International Honours:...
, for England while at Salford 1934 Australia, France; 1935 France, Wales; 1936 Wales
- Thomas "Tom" Danby, for England while at Salford 1950 Wales x 2, France, for Great Britain while at Salford 1950 Australia x 2, New Zealand
- Colin Dixon
Colin J. Dixon was a rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Great Britain , and Wales , and at club level for Cardiff RFC , Halifax RLFC, Salford, and Hull Kingston Rovers, playing at second row, i.e...
(#12), for Wales while at Salford circa-1975 ?-caps (World Cup 1975 4-caps), for Great Britain while at Salford (World Cup 1972 1-cap)
- Alan Edwards
Alan Edwards is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s and '40s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Salford, and Bradford Northern, playing at Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5....
, for Great Britain while at Salford circa-1936
- John "Jack" Feetham
John "Jack" Feetham is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers, and Salford, playing at Prop forward, or Loose forward/Lock, i.e...
, for England while at Salford 1932 Wales, for Great Britain while at Hull K.R.Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is a British professional rugby league football club that competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006. Their ground is New Craven Park in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. In Super League 2009 Hull KR play in their traditional...
1929-30 Australia; while at Salford 1932 Australia x 2, New Zealand x 2; 1933 Australia x 3
- Keith Fielding
Keith J. Fielding is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s who at representative level has played for England , England , and Great Britain , and at club level for Moseley Rugby Football Club , and Salford , playing at Wing , i.e. number 11 or 14, or...
, for England while at Salford 1975 France; France x 2, Wales x 2, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, for Great Britain while at Salford 1974 France x 2; 1977 France
- Phil Ford
Phil Ford is a former rugby league footballer. He played at wing / full-back for Great Britain and Wales, playing for five clubs: Warrington, Wigan, Bradford Northern, Leeds RLFC and Salford....
, for Wales while at Salford 1995 ?-caps
- Kenneth "Ken" Gill, for England while at Salford 1975 Wales, France x 2, Wales (sub), Wales, New Zealand x 2, Australia, Australia (sub), Australia; 1977 Wales, France, for Great Britain while at Salford 1974 France x 2, Australia x 2, New Zealand; 1977 France (sub), Australia (sub)
- John "Jack" Gore
John "Jack" Gore is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Salford, playing at Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 13, during the era of contested scrums....
, for Great Britain while at Salford circa-1927
- Edward "Teddy" Haines
Edward "Teddy" Haines is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for and England, and at club level for Salford.-International Honours:...
, for England while at Salford 1927 Wales
- Christopher "Chris" Hesketh
Chris Hesketh MBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, England, and Lancashire, and at club level for Wigan, and Salford, playing at Centre, i.e...
(MBE)The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions...
(Testimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1977) (#4/#3), for England while at Salford 1968 Wales; 1969 Wales, France, for Great Britain while at Salford 1970 New Zealand, New Zealand, Australia (sub); 1971 France, France (sub), New Zealand x 3; 1972 Australia x 2, France, New Zealand; 1973 Australia x 3; 1974 France x 2, Australia x 3, New Zealand x 3 (World Cup 1970 2-caps 1-try; 1972 3-caps, 1-try)
- David Hodgson, for England while at Salford 2005 New Zealand; 2006 Tonga x 2, Samoa, for Great Britain while at Wigan
Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
2001 France, Australia (sub); while at Salford 2007 France, New Zealand
- Barney Hudson
Barney Hudson is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Salford, and Dewsbury, playing at Wing, i.e number 2 or 5.-International Honours:...
, for England while at Salford 1934 Australia; 1935 France, Wales; 1936 Wales, France; 1938 Wales, for Great Britain while at Salford 1932 New Zealand; 1933 Australia x 2; 1936 Australia, New Zealand x 2; 1937 Australia x 2
- Emlyn Jenkins
Emlyn Jenkins is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s and '40s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Treorchy RFC , Salford, and St Helens RLFC, playing at Stand-off/Five-Eighth, i.e number 6.-International...
, for England while at Salford 1934 Australia, France, for Great Britain while at Salford 1933 Australia; 1936 Australia x 3, New Zealand x 2; 1937 Australia x 3
- Thomas "Tom" Kenny
Thomas "Tom" Kenny is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Salford.-International Honours:Tom Kenny won a cap for England while at Salford in 1939 against Wales....
, for England while at Salford 1939 Wales
- James "Jim" Lomas
James Lomas was a pioneering English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. Hailing from Maryport, Cumberland, his career lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923. A three-quarter and prominent goal-kicker, Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley to Salford...
(#4/#3), for England while at Salford 1904 Other Nations; 1905 Other Nations; 1906 Other Nations; 1908 New Zealand, Wales; 1909 Australia x 3, Wales; 1910 Wales; while at OldhamOldham Roughyeds are a English professional rugby league club, currently playing in the Co-operative Championship 1. They are based in Oldham in Greater Manchester....
1911 Wales, Australia x 2, for Great Britain while at Salford 1908-09 Australia x 2; 1910 Australia x 2, New Zealand; while at OldhamOldham Roughyeds are a English professional rugby league club, currently playing in the Co-operative Championship 1. They are based in Oldham in Greater Manchester....
1911-12 Australia x 2
- Nathan McAvoy
Nathan McAvoy is a rugby league player and currently plays right centre for Leigh Centurions in National League 1.- Career :...
, for England while at Salford 1996 Wales; while at BradfordBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
1999 France, France (sub)
- Thomas "Tom" McKinney
Thomas "Tom" McKinney was a Northern Irish rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at representative level played for Great Britain, Other Nations, British Empire XIII, and Rugby League XIII, and at club level for Jed-Forest RFC , Salford , Warrington, and St...
for Other NationsThe Other nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
7-caps, for British Empire XIII while at Salford 1952 New Zealand, for Rugby League XIII while at Salford 1954 France, for Great Britain while at Salford 1951 New Zealand; 1952 France (non-test), Australia x 2; 1953 France (non-test); 1954 France (non-test), Australia x 3, New Zealand; while at WarringtonThe Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
1955 New Zealand x 2, France (non-test), New Zealand; 1956 France (non-test); while at St. Helens 1957 New Zealand (World Cup 1957 1-cap)
- Alfred "Alf" Middleton
Alfred "Alf" Middleton is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Salford, playing at Second-row forward, i.e...
, for England while at Salford 1931 Wales, for Great Britain while at Salford 1929-30 Australia
- Steve Nash
Steve Nash is an English former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. A scrum-half, he played for the Featherstone Rovers and Salford clubs and also represented England and Great Britain....
(Salford Testimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1984) (#7), for England while at FeatherstoneFeatherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone , West Yorkshire in England. To many people they are known as Fev or "The Colliers", highlighting the close link between the club and the local mining community...
1975 Wales, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea; while at Salford 1978 France, Wales; 1981 Wales x 2, for Great Britain while at FeatherstoneFeatherstone Rovers are a professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone , West Yorkshire in England. To many people they are known as Fev or "The Colliers", highlighting the close link between the club and the local mining community...
1971 France, New Zealand; 1972 France x 2, Australia x 2, France, New Zealand; 1973 Australia x 2; 1974 Australia x 3, New Zealand x 3; while at Salford 1977 France, New Zealand, Australia x 2; 1978 Australia x 3; 1982 Australia (World Cup 1972 4-caps, 1-try)
- Sam Panapa
Sam Panapa is a former rugby league player. He played club football in Britain for Wigan and represented both Samoa and New Zealand, playing for Samoa at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.-External links:** on the CherryandWhite.co.uk Wigan RL Fansite....
, for Western Samoa while at Salford 1995 ?-caps
- Jack Rhapps
John "Jack" Rhapps was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Penygraig and international rugby for Wales...
(#8), for Other NationsThe Other nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
while at Salford 1904 England
- Maurice Richards
Maurice C. R. Richards was a dual code rugby union international for Wales. A winger, he was part of the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa...
(#5), for Wales while at Salford circa-1975 ?-caps (World Cup 1975 1-cap)
- Gus Risman
Augustus "Gus" John F. Risman was a Welsh rugby league footballer of the 1930s.A devastating three-quarter who also played at fullback, Risman was born in Cardiff and played rugby union in South Wales as a schoolboy before being offered a trial by Salford.He made his debut for Salford on 31 August...
, for England while at Salford 1934 France, for Great Britain while at Salford 1932 Australia, New Zealand x 3; 1933 Australia x 3; 1936 Australia x 2, New Zealand x 2; 1937 Australia x 3; 1946 Australia x 3
- Luke Robinson
Luke Robinson is a scrum half for the Huddersfield Giants rugby league team.-Early playing career:Luke Robinson signed for Wigan Warriors aged eleven, along with future first teamers Gareth Hock and Sean O'Loughlin. He was yet another find of Wigan's scout Eric Hawley...
, for England while at WiganWigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club is a professional rugby league football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The first team competes in Europe's engage Super League competition, playing its home matches at the DW Stadium, Wigan....
2004 RussiaRussia , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia . It is a semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, FranceFrance , officially the French Republic , is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean...
, IrelandIreland is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. To the east of Ireland, separated by the Irish Sea, is the island of Great Britain...
; while at Salford 2005 France, New ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori named New Zealand Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud...
- D. Smith (#1), for Other Nations
The Other nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
while at Salford 1904 England
- John "Jack" Spencer
John "Jack" Spencer was a professional professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Salford, playing at Prop forward, i.e...
, for England while at Salford 1908 Wales, for Great Britain while at Salford 1908 New Zealand
- D. Thomas (#2), for Other Nations
The Other nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
while at Salford 1904 England
- Patrick "Pat" Tunney
Patrick "Pat" Tunney was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s who at representative level played for and England, and at club level for Salford, playing at Hooker, i.e. number 9, during the era of contested scrums.-International Honours:...
(#9), for England while at Salford 1904 Other Nations
- John "Johnny" Ward
John "Johnny" Ward is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, and Salford, playing at Prop forward, or Hooker, i.e...
, for England while at CastlefordCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas' 'Cas Tigers' or 'Classy Cas'...
1969 Wales, France; while at Salford 1970 France, for Great Britain while at CastlefordCastleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas' 'Cas Tigers' or 'Classy Cas'...
1963 Australia; 1964 France x 2; while at Salford 1970 New Zealand
- Silas Warwick
Silas Warwick was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Salford, playing at Loose forward/Lock, i.e...
, for England while at Salford 1908 Wales, for Great Britain while at Salford 1908 New Zealand x 2
- David Watkins (Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1977) (#6), for Wales while at Salford circa-1975 ?-caps (World Cup 1975 Captain 8-caps, 25-goals), for Great Britain while at Salford 1967+? Australia, France, New Zealand (6-caps)
- William "Billy" Watkins
William "Billy" Watkins is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Salford, playing at Scrum-half/Halfback, i.e...
for Great Britain while at Salford circa-1933
- Richard Webster
Richard Webster was a Welsh international rugby union player. In 1993 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions and at the time played club rugby for Swansea RFC....
, for Wales while at Salford 1995 ?-caps
- Peter Williams
Peter N. Williams is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Salford, playing at Centre, i.e. number 3 or 4.-International Honours:...
for Great Britain while at Salford circa-1989
- William "Billy" Williams
William "Billy" A. Williams is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Salford, playing at Prop forward, i.e...
for Great Britain while at Salford
- Dai Young
David "Dai" Young is a Welsh former rugby union and rugby league player. Born in Aberdare in 1967, Young lived in Penywaun for many years, and was regularly seen training with his father on the local sports field, now occupied by the Welsh-language school Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun.Young played rugby...
, for Wales while at Salford 1995 ?-caps
Other Notable Players
- Les Bettinson (#4) circa-1965 David Bishop
- Ian Blease (Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1996)
- Andrew "Andy" Burgess (Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1998)
David CairnsDavid Cairns is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Barrow, and Salford, playing at Scrum-half/Halfback, i.e...
(#7)
- Colin Dixon
Colin J. Dixon was a rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Great Britain , and Wales , and at club level for Cardiff RFC , Halifax RLFC, Salford, and Hull Kingston Rovers, playing at second row, i.e...
http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/index.php?feat_id=285 (Testimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1979) Hugh DuffyHugh Duffy is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played for Scotland , and at club level for Jed-Forest RFC , Salford , and Halifax RLFC , playing at Flanker , i.e...
(#F), for ScotlandThe Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked tenth in the IRB World Rankings as at 23 March 2009, and makes up one quarter of the...
(RU)Rugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
while at Jed-Forest RFCJed-Forest Rugby Football Club are a rugby union team who are based at Riverside Park in Jedburgh.One of the world's oldest and most famous clubs, the team was founded in 1885 and currently play in Premiership Division Two and the Border League .-Honours:Kings of the Sevens - 2006Jed-Forest Sevens...
(RU)Rugby union is a full contact team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball, outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, 100 m...
1955 1-cap (signed for Salford 1954-55) Tex Evans Clive GriffithsClive Ronald Griffiths is a former Wales international rugby league and rugby union player. Born in Loughor, Swansea, he was affectionately known as "Clive the Ship" after the family pub in nearby Penclawdd...
Adrian HadleyAdrian Michael Hadley is a former Wales international rugby union and rugby league player. A winger he played his club rugby for Cardiff and was in the Wales rugby union squad for the 1987 Rugby World Cup.-Rugby Union career:...
- Warren Jowitt
Warren Jowitt is a professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s nad 2000s, and coach of the 2000s who at club level has played for Stanley Rangers ARLFC, Bradford Bulls, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Salford City Reds, Hull F.C., and Dewsbury Rams, playing at Second-row forward, i.e. number 11...
- Mark Lee (Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
2000)
- David Major (Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1989)
- Frank Miles David "Dai" Moses http://www.totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=290&featcat_id=32
Malcolm PriceMalcolm John Price is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for British and Irish Lions , Wales , and Great Britain , and at club level for Pontypool RFC , Oldham , Rochdale Hornets , and Salford , playing at...
Maurice RichardsMaurice C. R. Richards was a dual code rugby union international for Wales. A winger, he was part of the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa...
(
Testimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1980)
Player records
- Most tries in a game: 6 by Frank Miles vs Lees
The term Lees can refer to:* the detritus of fermentation, consisting of dead yeast and fruit debris. See Lees ;* Lees, Derbyshire, a village in England;* Lees, Greater Manchester, village near Oldham in North West England;...
, 5th March 1898
- Most goals in a game 14 by Steve Blakeley
Steve Blakeley is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s who at representative level has played for and England, and at club level for Salford.-International Honours:...
vs Gateshead ThunderGateshead Thunder are a professional rugby league team from Gateshead in Tyne and Wear. They are the only professional rugby league team in the North East of England, though several amateur teams now exist, notably Gateshead Storm who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division.They play...
, 23rd March 2003
- Most points in a game 39 by James "Jim" Lomas
James Lomas was a pioneering English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. Hailing from Maryport, Cumberland, his career lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923. A three-quarter and prominent goal-kicker, Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley to Salford...
vs Liverpool CityLiverpool City were a professional rugby league team from the city of Liverpool in England.-The first Liverpool City :A professional club first emerged in Liverpool, called Liverpool City, in 1906. They hold an unwanted record in the professional game in the United Kingdom as being a team who lost...
, 2nd February 1907
- Most tries in a season: 46 by Keith Fielding
Keith J. Fielding is a former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s who at representative level has played for England , England , and Great Britain , and at club level for Moseley Rugby Football Club , and Salford , playing at Wing , i.e. number 11 or 14, or...
, 1973-74
- Most goals in a season: 221 by David Watkins, 1972-73
The 1972-73 Northern Rugby Football League season was the 77th season of rugby league football played in England. It would also be the last season whereby the British championship was decided by a play-off system until Super League III in 1998. Dewsbury were crowned champions after defeating Leeds...
- Most points in a season: 493 by David Watkins, 1972-73
- Most career goals: 1,241 by David Watkins, 1967-79
- Most career tries: 297 by Maurice Richards
Maurice C. R. Richards was a dual code rugby union international for Wales. A winger, he was part of the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa...
, 1969-83
- Most career points: 2,907 by David Watkins, 1967-79
- Most career appearances: 496 (+2 as substitute) by Maurice Richards
Maurice C. R. Richards was a dual code rugby union international for Wales. A winger, he was part of the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa...
, 1969-83
Team records
- Highest attendance: 26,470 vs Warrington
The Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club in the town of Warrington, Cheshire in England. They compete in Super League, Europe's top-level rugby league competition. Their colours are primrose and blue, though white has often featured on the home shirt...
(Challenge Cup), 13th February 1937
- Biggest victory: 100-12 vs Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder are a professional rugby league team from Gateshead in Tyne and Wear. They are the only professional rugby league team in the North East of England, though several amateur teams now exist, notably Gateshead Storm who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division.They play...
, 23rd March 2003
- Heaviest defeat: 96-16 vs Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
, 25th June 2000
Trivia
- During the period before signing for Salford, Gus Risman
Augustus "Gus" John F. Risman was a Welsh rugby league footballer of the 1930s.A devastating three-quarter who also played at fullback, Risman was born in Cardiff and played rugby union in South Wales as a schoolboy before being offered a trial by Salford.He made his debut for Salford on 31 August...
was also courted by Association Football clubs. Tottenham Hotspur offered Risman terms. However, in those days football didn't have the huge initial gravitas it enjoys today. During the 1920s, signing for a rugby league club was more financially rewarding. Signing-on fees were restricted or capped in football, whereas in Rugby League such fees could be a year's worth of work and playing wages combined. Risman went on to be one of the game's legendary players and was one of the inaugrual inductees into the Rugby League Hall of FameThe Rugby League Hall of Fame is an International Hall of Fame that was combined and continually has additions from the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame, British Rugby League Hall of Fame, Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII and the...
.
- On 11 March 2006, David Hodgson scored a club Super League record 8 successful goal kicks - despite having never kicked a goal before the start of the 2006
Engage Super League XI was the official name for the year 2006's Super League season in the sport of rugby league in Europe. Bradford Bulls were looking to retain the title they won in Super League X....
season.
- The Salford chairman, John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson OBE has been chairman of Salford City Reds rugby league club since 1982. He was born in Walkden . He also owns the Cebora steel company, who were the main shirt sponsors of the Salford City Reds until 2006, when they were replaced by The Trafford Centre He was given an OBE in 2005...
, is the longest serving chairman in the British game, being at the club since 1982. A 25th Anniversary celebrating John Wilkinsons time at the club was arranged for the Super League game between Salford and Harlequins RL on 15 June 2007.
- Super League XI
Engage Super League XI was the official name for the year 2006's Super League season in the sport of rugby league in Europe. Bradford Bulls were looking to retain the title they won in Super League X....
marked Salford's first appearance in the top six play-offsAfter a top five play-off system was used, a play-off structure involving the top six teams was used to determine the winners of the Super League competition in British rugby league from 2002 through 2008....
, in which they lasted just one game - a 52-6 rout at the hands of Bradford BullsBradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours,...
.
- The Reds first Super League game under Shaun McRae, on 15 June 2007 broke two Super League records in one go; at a 5-2 win for the Reds over Harlequins RL it was both the lowest scoring Super League game in history (just seven points in total) and also the first Super League game in which no tries were scored.
External links