Reds Down to Bare Bones

The City Reds are down to the “bare bones” for this weekend’s trip to the Kingston Communication Stadium in the word’s of Head Coach Karl Harrison.

Scott Naylor is definitely ruled out after limping off in the last round against the Warrington Wolves, and with Aussie Kevin McGuinness not yet in the country it leaves Harrison to bring Martin Moana and Bryn Powell into the 18-man squad to make the trip to Humberside.

Harrison told us: “Neil Baynes was due to possibly return to the squad but picked up a knock during the week so he didn’t play in the Under 21s last night.

“John Clough was also set to break into the squad but he turned an ankle for them so he’s also ruled out. We’re down to the bare bones now.”

Harrison knows it is important for the lads to start picking up points from somewhere with everybody expecting Castleford Tigers to drag themselves up off the bottom sooner or later.

“We need to play with more confidence and flair. We did some real good things last week but we still got beat.

“It’s no easy task though going to Hull who are coming off the back of a tremendous win against Bradford. Playing Hull at their place is a different task from playing them at ours anyway but we need to get a win from somewhere soon, ” he added.

Alker Rushed for Emergency Surgery

Salford City Reds have confirmed that pack star Malcolm Alker was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Thursday morning with appendicitis.

The news was not released ahead of the Warrington game even though the club captain had already been under the knife and was recovering at home from surgery by the time the game kicked off.

Head Coach Karl Harrison told us on Friday: “Malcolm thought it was a bit of trapped wind but in the early hours they dashed him to A&E where he was admitted.

“It’s a blow to us and he’s a big, fit lad but we still expect him to be out for four to five weeks.”

Alcohol Restrictions in Place

With immediate effect Salford City Reds have announced that there is a ban on alcohol in the Family Stand (aka North Stand).

This is to help maintain a family environment at our club and notices reminding supporters will be in place at Saturday’s game against the Wolves.

Operations Manager Tom Woodward said: “It comes into place as of now. We’ve had a couple of reports of people drinking up there and it’s not fair on the young children and families.”

The club respectfully ask all fans to support this initiative.

Reds Finally Get Their Man

Salford City Reds have today finally completed the transfer of Australian flyer Kevin McGuinness, ironing out all the remaining contract problems with the Manly Sea Eagles.

The City Reds have been chasing McGuinness for several weeks but legal rows had stalled the deal.

With all that behind them though Football Director Steve Simms told us: “It’s all done. We’re applying for a work permit now but that shouldn’t take long. Even if there’s a hold up we would expect to have it within five days”

McGuinness signs a deal until the end of the season but Simms says they will then assess how things have gone with a view to next season.

“Kevin’s a good player, a try scorer. He can score tries from anywhere on the field because he’s very light on his feet. He puts fear into defences and that’s exactly what we need.”

PLAYER PROFILE (courtesy of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

NickName: Buddha
Preferred: Position: Utility
Height: 6ft
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 10 Nov 1976
Senior Rep. Honours: City 2002
Junior Club: Minto Cobra’s

Favourite Holiday Location: Barcelona
Favourite Food: Butter Chicken
Favourite Movie: Braveheart
Favourite Band / song: Nelly: ‘EI’
Favourite all time Sports Legend: Michael Jordan
What Rugby League player did you look up to growing up?: Peter Peters
What’s the best thing about Rugby League? Hearing the crowd cheer
What are your goals for the 2004 season? To survive pre season training
What was your first job as a teenager? Busking
What would your dream job be once you have finished playing? Nightclub Owner
Name 3 people you would like to invite to dinner? George Bush, Sadam Hussien, Osama Bin Laden
Birthplace: Blacktown
Partners Name: Melissa

Reds Sign Up for Crucial Land Deal

Salford City Reds are about to sign a ground-breaking deal with Salford City Council that gives the Super League club first call on their proposed stadium site at Barton.

Councillors have agreed to lease land at Salteye Barton to the club – earmarked by the Reds in an outline planning application for an ambitious stadium project – as well as nearby land at Peel Green which is needed for road access.

The deal means the development company set up to progress the stadium project, Red City Developments, will get first chance to take up a 125-year lease on the council-owned land, as well as land owned by United Utilities.

The City Reds want the site for a Retail, Hotel / Casino and Office development to help fund their stadium proposal, and provide the income generation required to achieve on field success.

Red City Developments will need to obtain planning permission, appropriate financial backing and pre-lets from would-be retail tenants, confirm closure orders on footpaths and highways needed for the development and agree terms with United Utilities on their land.

Property giants Peel Holdings have also drawn up ambitious plans for the site, including a freight terminal and associated commercial development.

Explained city council leader Councillor John Merry: “We want the best for the city and for the City Reds, and we believe this is a practical way we can help them achieve that. This agreement should help them make significant progress with the complex process they currently face to make their proposals a reality.

“I believe that the Reds stadium is an iconic and dramatic statement, and really hope that we can bring both this and the Port Salford proposals to fruition. This is a clear sign that we feel very positive about the Salford City Reds proposals for the stadium.

“From our point of view, the best outcome of all would be for Peel to help the City Reds get their stadium.”

Reds’ Chief Executive David Tarry told us: “This is great news for the club as it enables the stadium development to move on to the next level. It opens a great opportunity for both city and club to make the development really work to the benefit of all.

“We thank the City of Salford for their foresight, and support, and for not taking the easy option. It’s now up to the club and Red City Developments to live up to expectations and provide the iconic stadium that will symbolise the gateway to Salford .”

The club has been frequently referred to as a sleeping giant, is this the alarm call for the rest of the game “The Reds are coming”

Simms Keen to Complete McGuinness Move

Salford City Reds Football Director Steve Simms is still confident of landing Aussie star Kevin McGuinness from the Manly Sea Eagles.

The Reds have been waiting for news all over the Easter period but as yet have been unable to tie the Manly club down.

Simms told us: “I’ve spoken to Kevin and his agent today. He’s still all packed and ready to come and join us but we can’t get a response from Manly at the moment

“They’re still working on sorting out his contract which has two years left to run and Kevin is entitled to some money from Manly, but I’m still confident as he’s definitely going to go somewhere,” he added.

Meanwhile Simms is hopeful the Reds haven’t picked up any major injuriy concerns ahead of this weekend’s clash with St Helens at Knowsley Road.

“We should have Clinch, Naylor and Moana back so we should be okay,” he told us this afternoon.

“We’ll see how the rest of them are at training tomorrow, with two games in a couple of days we’re going to have picked up knocks and bruises but I think we’ll be okay”

Fans Forum – Shape the Future

Now we’ve had a couple of weeks to bed the new website in and things seem to be working pretty smoothly we can announce that this month’s Fans’ Forum will be held on April 27 at the club and will give you the chance to come along and help shape the future of Salford City Reds’ online and retail strategies.

Our next two big planned launches are the e-commerce and online community and we want to talk to you about about what you’d like to see and where you think we should be going.

You’ll get the chance to meet and talk to Paul McNally (internet) and Chris Lynch (retail).

Here at Salford City Reds we intend to be among the front runners with technology so come along and listen to our plans and put forward your opinions.

The meeting starts at 18:30 and will be held in the IT class on Willows Road. Things will probably last around two hours. Meet in the vault for a prompt half past six start.

We look forward to meeting you there.