Reds Start With Rhinos

Salford City Reds will begin the 2007 Super League campaign with a home fixture against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday 11 February.

The fixture is a great boost for the Reds who started and finished 2006 away from home and Karl Harrison will be hoping his men can record a first ever Super League victory against the Yorkshiremen.

The Reds will also finish at home with one of four ties against Warrington Wolves. They also face them in Cardiff at Super League’s Millennium Magic showcase.

Two weeks after that they head to France to play the Dragons, making it a a busy month of May.

Sports 360 Link Up With Reds

Salford City Reds are delighted to announce their partnership with Sports 360 for the 2007 season.

Set up in 2001, Sports 360 has worked closely with the club for the past two years, with the main focus of their business being perimeter boards and washroom media and sponsorship. Current clients include Stan James, Bet Direct and Littlewoods and with rugby league crowds and TV audiences growing year on year, the company see Salford City Reds as a big part of their future company expansion. I

Speaking of the partnership Martin James, owner of Sports 360 said, “Having been involved with the club for the past two years, it seems a logical step to continue the partnership for the 2007 season. The team are going from strength to strength and with the positive decision regarding the new stadium it’s going to be an interesting year for the Reds”

“We have been impressed with all aspects of the club over the past two years. They are a professional outfit and all employees from the chairman to the players are friendly and cooperative. We wish the club all the best for the next season.”

Director of Salford City Reds, Trish Goldsmith said, “Sports 360 have become a crucial partner to the club and I’m delighted that they see a prosperous future with the Reds. Martin and his family are regular visitors to the Willows and it is always a pleasure to look after such a warm and friendly family.”

Sports 360 have signed a sponsorship deal for the next two years with an option to extend into the new stadium.

Reds Launch Loyalty Scheme

As the dust settles following the celebration of the stadium announcement, City Reds staff have been getting down to the business of preparing the club and its supporters for the big move. Today we are pleased to announce that despite the upcoming drive to attract new fans to the club, we will not be forgetting those that were with us before this particular bandwagon started to roll.

With immediate effect a loyalty scheme comes into force that will guarantee our existing season ticket holders first pick of where they want to be when the gates open at the City of Salford Stadium for the very first time. With places very heavily weighted in favour of seats this news will be of most interest to those many fans who prefer to stand, as these tickets will be very much in demand, but those who would like a prime position in the seats should also be aware that the purchase of a 2006 season ticket will rocket them to the top of the list for choosing a specific seat in a specific area when the time comes.

There will be strictly limited standing places available and we fully expect that all of these places will be allocated to existing members of the Reds Loyalty Scheme, so if you want to be stood up with your mates then we strongly urge you to guarantee your places as soon as you can by buying a current season ticket. It’s the only way to be sure you won’t be disappointed in two years time.

As soon as we reach capacity for standing season ticket holders we will then close off membership to that exclusive group and implement a waiting list system for the standing area. Those who choose to become members of the Loyalty Scheme this year will be offered first refusal for standing places (or choice of best seats) in the City of Salford Stadium. It will then be a strictly observed policy of ‘one out, one in’ so anyone who didn’t get in early enough may be in for quite a wait to get a season ticket in the standing section.

What this does do is make the 2006 season ticket even better value than it already was – for the current discounted price you not only get to see every Salford City Reds home Super League game next season, you also get to sleep easily for the next two years, safe in the knowledge that you will get to be exactly where you want to be in our magnificent new stadium.

“While we are all looking forward to welcoming the many news fans we will pick up in a couple of years time, we are acutely aware of the need to look after those who have supported us here at The Willows,” said Salford City Reds Chairman, John Wilkinson, OBE. “By introducing this Loyalty Scheme today we can reassure those diehard fans that they will not be forgotten. We cannot stress it enough though – please don’t delay as we do expect the standing area in particular to be almost exclusively season ticket holders when the first whistle blows. Please don’t just wait and think ‘I’ll just get one when the time comes’ as you will almost certainly find that someone else got there first!”

Joining the Reds Loyalty Scheme really couldn’t be simpler – all you have to do is purchase a season ticket and you will automatically become a member. If you have already bought your ticket for 2006 then you don’t even need to contact the club – we have already enrolled you and thank you for your loyal support.

Trafford Centre Renew Deal

The Trafford Centre, Manchester’s £1.5billion shopping and leisure destination, has renewed its sponsorship deal with Salford City Reds Rugby League Club for the 2007 season. The deal, will see The Trafford Centre as the main shirt sponsors and will include significant branding at The Willows stadium as well as regional and national branding opportunities.

The partnership will also extend to community projects in and around the Salford and Manchester region and will include school initiatives to encourage and promote anti bullying and anti racism, as well as educational programmes, after school clubs and community and IT classrooms. The initiatives will also encourage children to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Gordon McKinnon, Director of Operations at The Trafford Centre said: “We are delighted to be supporting Salford City Reds for another year and wish them every success for the forthcoming season. The sponsorship is a mutually beneficial partnership between the leading shopping and leisure destination and one of the most successful Rugby League clubs in the UK. We are thrilled to be involved with such a high-profile local sports team and I hope the relationship continues to go from strength to strength.”

Salford City Reds Chairman, John Wilkinson OBE said “I am delighted and very honoured to confirm our continued partnership with the Trafford Centre. They have become invaluable marketing and business partners. The Trafford Centre’s work in the community is outstanding and compliments perfectly our own goals and aspirations.”

The new Reds’ shirt will be launched shortly, once again with Debenhams Trafford Centre as our launch partner meaning fans will once again be able to buy from convinient multiple outlets.

IDS To Offer Shirts to Kids

Salford City Reds are delighted to announce that Ideal Debt Solutions will be ‘Official Supporters Partner’ of the club for the 2007 season. Working with the club on a number of fan initiatives Ideal Debt Solutions will be extending the free shirt giveaway to all 13-16 year olds who purchase a season ticket before the start of the 2007 season. Salford City Reds already offer a free shirt to all under 12’s who purchase a 2007 season ticket as part of Chairman John Wilkinson’s 25th anniversary with the club.

Providing free advice to help release individuals from the chain of debt, Ideal Debt Solutions can be trusted to provide the ideal solution for each individual case and provides practical advice and support whatever the circumstances as well as recommend a range of solutions to the ever – growing problem of debt.

Speaking about the deal, Ideal Debt Solutions Owner and Salford fan Andrew Rosler said, “Having been a Salford supporter for over 25 years, I am delighted to be able to contribute to the ongoing success of The Reds. The supporters at Salford are fantastic and we look forward to building on the success of the team last year. With an emerging team and the new stadium plans it is a very exciting time for Ideal Debt Solutions to be working with the club.”

Through its ‘Official Supporters Partner’ status, Ideal Debt Solutions are looking to run a number of supporter initiatives throughout the coming season, both to reward loyal regulars and also to attract new fans to the club.

Speaking of the new partnership Salford City Reds Director Trish Goldsmith said, “I’m delighted that Ideal Debt Solutions have come on board with the Reds. It will offer our loyal supporters an extra service with a reputable, local company and also allow our younger 13-16 year-old-fans the chance to get a free shirt when they buy a season ticket.

“Salford City Reds prides itself on the work in the community and this community initiative partnership with IDS is excellent news for our supporters particularly with Christmas coming up. We look forward to working closely with them over the next season.”

Reds Begin Stadium Journey

Further to the announcement that Salford City Reds have been granted approval for the build of their new £130 million, 20,000 capacity stadium, a press conference was held at The Willows earlier today where members of the media, supporters, and sponsors gathered to hear the official statement from the club.

Salford City Reds Chairman, John Wilkinson OBE, said,” This is where the work begins. This is day one and it is a proud, proud day for all concerned with the Reds.  It’s been a very long road but now we can look to build the future of this great club.

“I have been part of this very special rugby league family for 25 years and a Salford businessman for 35 years, so it is an honour to be able to oversee this move during my time as Chairman of the club.

“The Willows is a very special place and many people have had their ashes spread on the pitch. I would dearly like to leave a little something behind in memory of all those committed supporters who will forever be part of this historic site.

“Today marks the end of one story and the beginning of an exciting new one.”

This will be the first purpose built rugby league stadium constructed in the UK for many years and incorporates many new and innovative design properties.  At a time when possible new franchise clubs come to the forefront in the game, this development will bring alive Super League in the region with a new era for both the club and the game and Salford City Reds positioning themselves firmly as the regions Super League club.

The press conference was supported by local MP’s including Hazel Blears and Ian Stewart in whose constituency (Eccles) the new stadium will be built. It is anticipated that the stadium will be ready for the 2009 rugby League season.