Hat-Trick for Reds as all Grades Victorious

Salford City Reds celebrated a fantastic weekend with wins for all three representative sides. By the time the first team stormed back to take the vital two points against relegation-haunted Castleford Tigers, Steve Blakeley’s Under 21s and Alan Hunte’s Under 18s were already celebrating wins against Oldham and Hull KR respectively.

It was also a weekend of the Reds climbing the table, not only did the first team move up to ninth in Super League, the Under 21s pushed up into second spot on Saturday, while the U18s are now nicely nestled in third in their own competitions.

U21s Oldham 12 Salford City Reds 26

T: Clough 2, McAvoy, Gorton, Wilson, Humphries
G: Humphries
H.T. 0-18

Despite a brave second half fight-back, Oldham had given themselves too much to do after allowing the City Reds too much leeway in the opening forty minutes, and spent much of the period on defence.

Hooker John Clough crashed in for a brace while McAvoy, Gorton, Wilson and Humphries all added to the score which pushes the City Reds into second in the table.

U18s Salford City Reds 38 Hull KR 0

T: Hartley 2, Gibson, Adamson, Forshaw, O’Neill
G: Hewis (5)
H.T. 22-0

The curtain-raiser to Sunday’s Super League fixture was an enjoyable affair for and Reds fans in the ground early enough to witness this dominate performance against mid-table side Hull KR.

Lancashire’s Tim Hartley led the charge once more with a couple of tries and the Reds added a further four as they comfortably claimed the points.

The U18s are now nestled in third spot in the table as the season reached it;s half-way point.

‘No Change’ – French Pair Have Not Signed for Reds

Salford City Reds Online can confirm that UTC pair Djamel Fakir and Duncan MacGillivray have not signed for the club yet.

We spoke to Steve Simms amid speculation that the deal had been finalised and he told us: “Nothing has changed. We won’t do anything, and they won’t, until they’ve finished their commitments in France. I don’t know where these reporters get it from!”

“We have spoken to them and we hope to sign them later on maybe but until they are finished there nothing changes. All things could happen though in the next two weeks.”

Harrison to Lead England in Euro Nations Cup

The coaching positions for Rugby League’s European Nations Cup can today be confirmed.

Winners of last year’s inaugural tournament England will be coached by
Salford City Reds’ Karl Harrison. His Assistant will be Wigan Warriors’
Denis Betts.

Hull FC’s John Kear , who has coached the England side since 2000, is to
move into the position of Coaching Consultant to the tournament.

This is a role which will provide mentoring and guidance to all participating nations and is intended to assist these teams to improve
their performances at international level by giving them access to
additional top level coaching expertise. The role will also assist the
coaches who have been appointed to the teams to maximise the value of
the experience for themselves.

The other appointments are Whitehaven’s Steve McCormack as Head Coach of Scotland. He will be assisted by St Helens’ Dave Rotheram.

Leeds Rhinos’ Assistant Coach Stuart Wilkinson will be Wales head coach
and he will be assisted by Wayne O’Kell who is Wales ‘A’ coach and has
coached the Welsh Under 16s.

Ireland will be coached by Leeds Rhinos Director of Rugby Daryl Powell,
who will be assisted by Andy Kelly.

Meanwhile, the England Academy Under 18 squad who tour New Zealand and Australia will be coached by Wigan’s Dave Lyon with former England
Academy and Hull FC Coach Phil Windley as his Assistant. The RFL’s
Performance Director David Waite will act as Football Manager for this
tour.

All the appointments are a continuation of the RFL’s strategy to encourage the development of British Rugby League coaching talent.

Commenting on the announcement of the appointments, the Rugby Football League’s Performance Director David Waite said: “The appointments for the European Nations Cup demonstrates the depth and quality of Rugby League coaching talent emerging in the UK.

“The tournament is not only an exciting concept for players but it
provides an excellent opportunity for coaches to hone their abilities
and experience the unique challenges of working with a representative
side”.

Waite added: “It is appropriate at this point to recognise the
tremendous contribution made by John Kear , and also Paul Cullen , to
the England set up over a number of seasons. Paul has elected to
concentrate on his commitments with Warrington Wolves and quite rightly
take a personal break after a giving significant time to the role.

“In John’s case, his new position as Coaching Consultant will see him
able to offer the benefit of his expertise where it is needed.

Waite continued: “In the case of Wales, we should pay tribute the
efforts of Neil Kelly who has been at the helm since 2001. Neil has also
elected to step aside and take a well earned break from this level of
the sport but significantly he has made an offer to assist the Welsh
squad at any point in the future.

“Neil’s replacement Stuart Wilkinson is a young and highly capable coach
who has plenty of Tetley’s Rugby Super League experience and brings a
great deal to the role.

“We are also excited about the opportunities that the European Nations
Cup is offering to other high quality, home grown coaches who are now
ready to experience this level of Rugby League.

“Each nation is strongly represented and all teams will go into the
tournament well prepared”.

The European Nations Cup will take place in October and November of this year. Full details of the tournament schedule and venues will be
released in due course.

Issued by the Rugby Football League Media Department

Eccles to Host Junior Coaching Sessions

Eccles Rugby League Club are holding an event this weekend to introduce kids to the sport of Rugby League.

Kids in Year 7 or Year 8 are invited to arrive at Eccles RLFC at 10am on Saturday or Sunday and take part in a fun session and receive skills coaching from the coaching staff of the club.

If you are interested or know of anybody who may be, please pass this information on as youngsters are the future lifeblood of the game.

Watch Out, the Wardens Are About

For the past couple of promoted matches Salford City Reds have arranged matchday car parking at the local Hope High school. However, due to poor take-up by fans preferring to park on the street (presumably because, while unsafe, it is free) the school no longer feel it is viable to staff such an operation on Sundays.

The club has also been alerted to the practice of a people-carrier full of traffic wardens depositing its cargo of friendly ticket issuers into the area on a matchday as the parking company targets the area.

We would therefore like to warn fans that street parking will bring a likely ticket and a fine of up to £60.

The City Reds would remind fans that we operate a Park-and-Ride facility in conjunction with Metrolink. Simply park in the secure car-park at Ladywell Metro station (see map), buy a ticket and ride the tram one stop to Weaste to the game.

Fans who are buying tickets for the game on the day can then get their tram fare deducted from the cost of their entry as part of the iniative.

Moana Joins Dragons

After speculation this week that Martin Moana had played his last game for the Reds last week against Bradford, the much travelled New Zealand loose forward has signed for Super League hopefuls Doncaster Dragons.

Moana was a member of Salford’s National League Grand Final-winning team last October and made nine Super League appearances for the Reds this year.

We would like to thank Martin for his time at The Willows and wish him well with his future career.

Moana To Decide Future

Salford City Reds forward Martin Moana could be set to leave The Willows with Hull KR leading the chase for his signature. Doncaster Dragons are also showing an interest in the services of the veteran pack star.

Reds’ Football Director Steve Simms told us: “There are a lot of First Division clubs interested in Martin Moana. Obviously it’s up to Martin. He has the final decision whether he goes or stays and what he wants to do. I know there are some clubs talking to him today so we’ll just take it from there when we speak to him ourselves later.”

Moana impressed yesterday when he came off the bench in the narrow defeat at home to Bradford Bulls.

Reds Ready to Give French Ace Chance

Salford City Reds have today been strongly linked with the signature of highly-rated French back-rower Djamel Fakir.

The powerful 22-year-old has been the star of the show for Union Treiziste Catalan as the newly elected Super League side enter the French playoffs and his performances have attracted the attention of Steve Simms and Karl Harrison as they look to bolster the pack for a final surge to safety.

We spoke to Steve Simms today who told us: “We haven’t done anything with Djamel yet. Obviously, he’ll finish his commitment with UTC and we’ll see how things go. Obviously if he’s 100% fit then we’re definitely looking to do something.”

Simms, who travelled to Franch to watch Fakir a fortnight ago continued: “He’s the best up and coming player in France so we’re waiting until the French playoffs are over at the end of the month and we’ll see where we are then.”

Meanwhile Salford have signed Sheffield winger Danny Mills on a short term deal. Simms told us: “Danny’s come over on loan, initially for a month and we’re going to have a look at him in the 21s and go from there.”

Mills joined the Eagles during the close season after a spell in Australia, came to the Red’s attention through the West Indies Rugby League side who have been coached by the Red’s Under 18’s coach Alan Hunte.

Cheeky Girls to Appear At Family Bonanza Day

Salford City Reds are pleased to announce the first of their Family Bonanza Days which will take place at the high-profile fixture against the Bradford Bulls on 13 June.

In conjunction with the Lights International Sport Events team they have put together a comprehensive family entertainment package for the day complete with the world-famous Cheeky Girls performing with our very own Sparklers (the junior Red Hot Flames). So bring along your kids or younger brothers and sisters so they can enjoy the show too!

With kick off against the World Club Champions at 3pm the entertainment extravaganza starts at 2pm and includes the following great line-up:-

THE CHEEKY GIRLS – The sisters shot to fame on Pop Idol before blasting into the charts with their hit – The Cheeky Song.

SUPPORT – Lucinda Rhodes – star of children’s TV’s Cave Girl and Harry and the Cosh

JOHN INNES – International tenor – John has performed at the Challenge Cup Final, the Grand Final and the Ashes Tour.

PYROTECHNIC DISPLAY – The afternoon will go with a bang with our spectacular display.

MC – PETE NUTTALL – The voice of Rugby League – MC at the Challenge Cup Final and the Grand Final

PLUS – Salford City Reds very own award-winning cheerleaders The Red Hot Flames.

Watch this space for further announcements this week, including who the mystery pop act will be!

This fixture also sees the launch of our Find-a-Fan promotion where we give you the chance to bring along potential new fans for FREE. Many of you will have received a letter or shortly be receiving an email allowing you to register your friends and bring them along to the game.

For further details see here http://www.reds.co.uk/friendsregister.html

PLEASE NOTE: Supporters of both clubs are URGED to arrive early as we anticipate a far higher than normal level of activity at the turnstyles.

Please try to be in the ground no later than 1.45pm.

Baynes Fined But Escapes Ban

City Reds prop forward Neil Baynes has been fined £300 but avoided a ban after being placed on report on Sunday.

Baynes was placed on report by referee Silverwood and was found guilty of illegally using his knees during the Reds’ 25-18 Super League defeat by Huddersfield.

The news is a boost for Karl Harrison as the in-form forward remains available for Sunday’s Family Bonanza Day game against the Bradford Bulls at The Willows

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