Reds Ready to Take Bulls Down

Head Coach Karl Harrison spoke today at the Reds’ pre-match press conference about how it was time for his team to beat one of the so-called bigger teams.

Harrison said: “It’s about getting the win now. We’ve had the performances of late but it’s now time we get a win against one of the so-called bigger teams.

“To remain in the top six we need to beat teams like Bradford at home, which we intend to do tomorrow,” he continued.

“The boys have prepared very, very well and are buzzing. We have a lot of bruised and sore bodies that have needed maintenance to keep them ticking over but we are in fairly good shape.”

Popular Australian Kevin McGuinness will start on the wing after more than a year plagued with injury and he will be looking to put all of that behind him.

New loan signing Danny Lima will also start at prop and Andy Coley will move back to second-row to replace the injured Andrew Brocklehurst who is out for between 6-10 weeks with two broken bones in his hand.

“Brocky has been very unlucky again. He’ll miss the majority of the season but we should just about have him back for the playoffs.”

“Danny Lima is a strong runner who gives us some extra power in the middle we felt we were lacking. He played a lot of games for the Wolves before falling out with their coach, but that happens. He has come with the right attitude and trained well and he asks the right questions. He knows there is a spot for him next season if he performs.”

Salford City Reds v Bradford Bulls, The Willows, Fri June 30

Salford 20-man squad: Hodgson, McGuinness, Moule, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Finnigan, Sibbit, Charles, Highton, Langi, Haggerty, Littler, Myler, Clayton, Adamson, Lima, Williams.

Bradford 20-man squad: Vainikolo, Smith, Meyers, Kopczak, I. Harris, Withers, Pryce, St Hilaire, B. Harris, Burgess, Newton, Ferres, Deacon, Vagana, Langley, Hape, McKenna, James, Lynch, Henderson.

Crowd Incidents Investigated

Salford City Reds can confirm that the club is being investigated by the Rugby Football League for two alleged incidents where objects have been thrown on to the field of play.

The first incident was during the Challenge Cup tie at the Galpharm Stadium where a bottle was allegedly thrown at the players and officials in the in-goal area from the stand behind the goal.

The second incident saw an object thrown at a Touch Judge from the Popular Stand during the game against Leeds Rhinos on 16 June.

These incidents will invariably lead to disciplinary action against the club and could result in a heavy fine or worse.

Both incidents are being investigated by the club using CCTV and once the culprits are identified they will be banned from all rugby league venues for life.

Salford City Reds will take the strongest possible stand against incidents of this nature and will ban or support any ban handed out to fans by member clubs.

To date this season three Reds’ supporters have received life bans and further incidents will not be tolerated.

It us up to us as supporters to help stamp out all behaviour that is detrimental to our great club.

Supporters with information they wish to give anonymously can contact the club in the strictest confidence.

Inquiry Adjourns After Week One

The Public Inquiry into Salford City Reds new proposed stadium at Barton has now been adjourned until 10am on the 11 July.

After a first week where the inspector saw many expert witnesses the final day of the first session saw appearances from local MPs Hazel Blears, Ian Stewart and Barbara Keeley all in favour of the development.

Ian Stewart MP said: “I have been a Salford supporter since 1957. The club plays a vital role in civic life by providing civic pride and focus, as well as national and inetrnational recognition. This development will enhance and improve these attributes.

It is my view that this Reds’ proposal will impact in a very significant and positive way on the issues that affect my constituancy.”

Hazel Blears MP said: “It is vital to have a new stadium for Salford City Reds. The Willows is full of treasured memories but being 100 years old is inevitably out of date, therefore the new stadium will give the club a chance to flourish.

“Rugby League is a unifying factor in Salford and people come together to support their team from all races and classes and the Salford fans are incredibly loyal.

“The team needs a new home, the fans need a new home, I want to see the club grow and prosper.”

Barton Inquiry Begins

oday saw the first day of the Public Inquiry for Salford City Reds proposed new stadium at Barton.

Planning Inspector Geoff Salter kicked off proceedings at 10am at Salford Civic Centre in Swinton and those gathered heard opening statements from Queen’s Counsel on behalf of the applicants Red City Developments and Salford City Council.

Supporter’s of the application were then invited to register to speak. There were no objectors present.

During the course of the day Chairman John Wilkinson, OBE and CEO David Tarry gave their evidence before severl members of the public present were invited to speak before the hearing was adjourned at 4 pm until 10am Wednesday.

Chairman John Wilkinson said after: “I’m very pleased but this is obviously only the first day. We were received very well by the Inspector and everybody who took to the stand was confident.

“Myself and David Tarry have lived this dream for a number of years now and we were the first to speak but I would like to thank Shirley Bradshaw, Iain Peacock, Les Bettinson, Iain Watson, Brian Farrow and David Clegg for their own contributions and their commitment left a good impression with the Inspector and QCs

“There was not a single objector present today which shows how positive the club have been and we must now carry on and maintain this direction set on this first day as there are still a lot of professional people left to give evidence.”

Wednesday’s sitting will hear evidence from Red City Developments, Stadium designers Arup and Wilkinson Corporation.

You Saw the Best

Salford City Reds would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved with the Duke of Lancaster’s Drum & Pipe Platoon and Regimental Recruitment team for the spectacular pre and half-time entertainment extravaganza they served up at the Leeds game last Friday.

The entertainment was topped off by the thrilling Mascot Assault Course which Ignito won, kicking a superb conversion ahead of a trailling Ronnie the Rhino.

The club would also like to thank both Ignito and Ronnie and Leeds Rhinos for being terrific sports and making the night as good as it was.

Public Inquiry Latest

With the City of Salford Stadium Enquiry due to start next week, here is the latest information for fans about what the process will be.

The Enquiry is set to sit:

20-23 June
27-30 June
11-14 July
18-21 July

At the first sitting on Tuesday 20 June, the Inspector will set the agenda and detailed running order. We expect that that witnesses on behalf of the club will be asked to speak in the first week.

We currently have witnesses drawn from Club officials, sponsors, community development partners and Forever Reds. The meeting is at Salford Civic Centre, starting at
10-00am and the public are invited to attend.

We would ask any supporters to attend the first morning when the Inspector will make a record of those wishing to speak. The latter weeks of the enquiry are likely to see evidence on behalf of Red City, the development company, Salford City Council, and specialist advisors on planning, highways, environmental, stadium design and retail issues.

Sporting Enterprise Success

The club’s Sporting Enterprise: tackling business scheme was externally moderated by its qualification body, the Open College Network and returned home with a 95% pass rate for the course.

The scheme supported by Godliman & Watson has been recently championed in the North West Regional Development Agency’s study of best educational practice. This is testament to the clubs success as a leader in providing education opportunities to the city’s youngsters.

Sporting Enterprise is an innovative way of undertaking the clubs many community development programmes and involves us providing opportunities for academic and sporting qualifications for high school pupils across the city. The scheme provides pupils with business knowledge using the club as an example. Pupils then establish a business whose aim is to promote Salford City Reds and generate income for their school.

The course has qualified over 200 pupils across the city in Enterprise Studies and the Rugby League Organisers Award. Since September 2005 participating pupils have been devising and implementing marketing strategies to promote their own school business and Salford City Reds. All participating high schools have or will have a home game dedicated to their school and area where they can showcase local talent and provide entertainment for all.

The club is already taking the scheme beyond the boundaries of Salford as we have had requests for participation from as far a field as Bolton and Bury.

Lima Ready to Join on Load

Salford City Reds are set to complete the signing of Danny Lima on loan from Warrington Wolves until the end of the season.

Lima had been told he would not have his contract renewed by Paul Cullen but that because of his dedicated service he could try and find another club immediately for the rest of this season.

Steve Simms and Karl Harrison swooped to add the powerful Samoan to the Reds’ ranks and it is hoped Lima will provide useful extra firepower in the front row.

The deal is now waiting for Lima’s work permit to come through but Simms believes there should be no problem: “It’s been no secret we’ve been trying to sign Danny and everything has been agreed, we just need to get the work permit through and we should be able to confirm it all by Monday or Tuesday but Danny will be our guest this evening

See the Best this Weekend

Big match build up latest:

Karl Harrison has revealed at this morning’s pre-match press conference that Tim Jonkers has been released and has signed for Leigh Centurions with immediate effect.

Harrison said: “We would like to thank Tim for his efforts at the club and wish him well in his future career.”

The release of Jonkers gives Harrison room for manoeuvre in the transfer market as he looks to strengthen his position ahead of the end of season run in.

Meanwhile Harrison revealed that Anthony Stewart has had a groin operation yesterday and will be out for between 4-6 weeks.

John Wilshere is still a couple of weeks away and Kevin McGuinness is hoping to play in the U21s next weekend.

Salford v Leeds, The Willows, Friday June 16

Salford 20-man: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Moule, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Rutgerson, Finnigan, Sibbit, Charles, Highton, Langi, Haggerty, Littler, Myler, Brocklehurst, Clayton, Adamson, Lowes.

Leeds 20-man: Donald, Walker, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, Diskin, Peacock, Lauitiiti, Ellis, Sinfield, Millard, Poching, O’Neill, Jones-Buchanan, Feather, Ablett, Williams, Gibson.

Ref B Thaler

This Friday things are going to get a little interesting. Guests of honour at Salford City Reds v Leeds Rhinos will be the Duke of Lancaster’s Drum and Pipe Platoon and Regimental Recruiting team as soldiers from across Europe descend on The Willows.

Friday afternoon will see Army vehicles roll up and you can come and talk to the men that matter about life in the Armed Forces. Head towards the entrance to The Willows Variety Centre where the Regimental Recruiting Team will be located before heading into the ground to be treated to a pre-match drum and pipe spectactular before the Army will form a guard of honour as the players emerge onto the arena.

Our half-time extravaganza will see the drummers return and while the Flames strut their award-winning stuff soldiers from the Duke of Lancasters will be setting up a pitch length assault course for Mascot Wars – See Ignito take on Ronnie the Rhino in race to complete the course, dodging soldiers along the way. It’s going to be a fantastic night, oh and did we forget to mention the feast of Super League too!

Bring along as many as you can and help make this a Super League night to remember.

Reds Support the Salfordian

Salford CIty Reds arrived in Southport this week to show their support for the Salfordian Trust charity of which our Chairman John Wilkinson OBE is a trustee.

Starting the day with a training session on the beach the Reds endured a gruelling run across the sand, led by Jimmy Lowes before getting together to play beach games and a team bonding session.

In the afternoon the Reds headed to the famous Salfordian to meet the holidaymakers and join them in games of pool and poker as well as the odd game of darts before the players clubbed together to make a donation to the charity.

The Salfordian Hotel is situated in picturesque Southport overlooking Hesketh Park and near to other local attractions.

The hotel is run by the Salfordian Trust and caters mainly for older Salford residents and less mobile visitors but is also keen to welcome other guests. Special rates are available for group bookings.

An hotel with extensive facilities

This charming hotel , which is open all year, is situated in its own gardens and has:

two lounges with colour televisions

a conservatory leading to a patio

a fully licensed bar

Games Room

single and twin rooms

en-suite facilities

tea/coffee making facilities in each room

full board packages

entertainment provided on most evenings

new games room

function room available

day trips available

transport to and from Salford available

private car parking

There’s always something to do

In the evening at the Salfordian Hotel you can enjoy a meal, relax in our bar or have a drink in one of our lounges. Alternatively you can go out to one of the local pubs or restaurants, theatre, cinema or bingo in Southport.

The Salfordian overlooks Hesketh Park with its lakes, rose gardens, mini golf, aviary, cafe and conservatory.

The hotel’s friendly staff will do all they can to make your stay as enjoyable a possible.

The hotel also runs daily excursions for guests.

Southport has many attractions

Southport has one of the longest piers in the UK, second only to Southend on sea.

Other attractions in Southport include the elegant promenade, botanic gardens and museum (housing a collection of Victoriana) and lake trips in the summer of Southport’s Marine Lake.