Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Have you seen the new posters up and around the city yet? No? Well, we’re not exactly surprised!

As fast as we can put them up eager fans are carefully taking them down and no doubt affixing them to their bedroom walls. While this is, in some ways, flattering and we are undeniably delighted that Reds fans love them so much as to feel compelled to break the law and steal them, it is actually pretty unhelpful when it comes to our current drive to attract new fans down to watch Malc and the boys in Super League XII. We need as many people as possible to see the posters and be attracted down to the Leeds game – obviously that’s not going to happen if they keep disappearing at their current rate!

We would like to ask you kindly, if you feel the urge to pilfer a poster for your own (perhaps dubious) enjoyment within the privacy of your own home, please, please resist that urge. These posters are a key part of our marketing strategy, not just for the Leeds game but for the whole season, so the temptation is going to be there (hopefully) all the way up to the poster advertising our appearance in the Grand Final.

Be strong. Just say no. Step away from the poster.

Remember, we have made the poster available on the website for download so it couldn’t be easier to get your own copy without harming the club’s current marketing campaign. If you don’t have the means to print out your own copy then why not come into the club shop where we’ll be happy to print one for you*. And that way you’ll be able to sleep at night.

Thankyou.

*for a nominal, cost covering fee if it’s for personal use, if you plan on sticking it up in your workplace or somewhere useful where plenty of people will see it we will happily provide them for free!

Mal’s Big Night Out

Reds captain Malcolm Alker will take centre stage in his testimonial game at the Willows on Wednesday 31 January against Wigan Warriors.

Malcolm celebrates 10 years at Salford with this prestigious pre-season warm up against his home town club and is hoping for a bumper gate as fans of both teams come out to appreciate one of rugby league’s most loyal stalwarts.

Commenting on the game Malcolm said, ‘It’s a massive night for me. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support throughout my testimonial year and hope that the fans come out in force for what should be a fantastic game.’

The game is Malcolm’s penultimate event in his testimonial calendar which will conclude with a ‘Grand Finale Dinner Dance’ on Friday 23 March.

Tickets for the game are available from the club shop or on the gate priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juniors and concessions. Kick off is 7.30pm

Reds Back In Action This Sunday

Salford City Reds kick off their pre-season proper with their friendly against Warrington Wolves at The Willows this Sunday (3pm).

The Reds lost in a friendly against the Wolves at the start of last season but then went on to beat their local rivals three times during the regular season.

Warrington will field a full-strength side including local Salford boy Adrian Morley who will return to within a half mile of the school where he learned to play the game before forging a successful career in Sydney as one of Britain’s most feared forwards.

Salford will be without long-term injuries Karl Fitzpatrick (achilles) and Ian Sibbit (shoulder), while Gareth Haggerty (calf) and Paul Highton (achilles) will also miss out.

Prices: Adults £12 / Junior / Concessions £6

The Willows variety Centre will now be open to all fans this afternoon.

On Wednesday night (Malcolm Alker Testimonial v Wigan) and Leeds (11 Feb 3pm) the Variety Centre main room will be open three hours before kick off for all fans home and away to enjoy a drink before the game.

In other news, the new car park on the old cricket ground behind the Family Stand is expected to be open in time for the opening round of Super League. Fans, home and away are encouraged to leave their vehicles in this secure environment. More news soon.

Reds Launch New Poster Campaign

Salford City Reds today launched an innovative new citywide marketing campaign asking the city’s inhabitants why more don’t come down to The Willows.

With their highest ever finish in Super League last season, ending the season fifth, the Reds are aiming to encourage the people of Salford to come down and enjoy the world class sport on their doorstep.

Reds’ marketing Manager Paul McNally said: “We have a great team, a great coach, a great atmosphere and a great night out here at Salford and we are asking the question to the people of Salford, why aren’t they filling this place week in week out?”

“Last season’s attendances were up and season ticket sales for 2007 have rocketed but we still want to see more new and returning faces at The Willows this season.”

The campaign kicks off with a series of posters, depicting Reds’ stars advertising forthcoming Super League games and each one asks the reader a question why they are not already a fan.

The first poster features the torso of a player, holding a rugby ball with the slogan “Too Fit ForYou?”

The Reds are holding a competition for fans to guess whose six-pack is on show with a prize of a VIP night out at a future home game.

McNally continued: “Salford is a great city with a fantastic mix of people. There are those who have lived here all their lives and new families and professionals moving into the mass of high-quality redevelopment that is going on. Some of these won’t even know we exist and it’s our intention to change that this season.”

“Over the coming months we will be pushing our branding and logo into the furthest reaches of the city. We’ll be stepping up the guerilla marketing we dabbled with last season, targeting areas like The Quays on a matchday with the brief to drag people in from the pubs after work and say to them “Watch this, you’ll love it.”

Watch out for the new posters which will begin to appear across the city from today (Wednesday).

Barney Bounds In

The Reds are delighted to announce that popular local TV presenter and actor Barney will be their matchday host for the 2007 season.

Barney joins the Reds events team at The Willows and will present the matchday entertainment both on the field and in the corporate lounges, interviewing players, fans and VIPs in the hour leading up to kick off.

Reds’ fans already know their new recruit as he hosted Rugby League magazine show Code 13 for Channel M, which featured the Reds heavily throughout the season. Barney worked extensively with the players and was a major reason the show was so successful He is currently producing and hosting a boxing show on the same channel and is set to appear on next season’s Code 13.

Barney has also appeared in several soap operas, and more recently Shameless on Channel 4.

Reds’ Marketing Manager Paul McNally said: “Barney made quite an impression at Channel M and worked well with the team and coaches on Code 13. We’re delighted he’s on board and he will be the focus of our whole match build up in 2007. We’re sure the fans will love his style and the extra interaction we’re planning in the run-up to kick off .

Barney said: “I’m looking forward to working at the Reds and getting the Shed worked up on matchday. I can’t wait to get out there!”

Everybody at the Reds would like to thank former matchday host Carolyn Derbyshire for her sterling services to the club over the past several seasons. Cas is now a fully qualified teacher but will still be attending The Willows so if you see her, buy her a pint in the Shed.

Shirt Presentation Evening 2007

Reds’ fans are reminded of the two forthcoming pre-season presentations

January 22 and 29, 2007 see our Junior and Corporate Shirt Presentations evenings respectively. At these events our fans and partners get their chance to present the 2007 playing squad with their playing jersey for the forthcoming Super League campaign.

On January 22 we invite all fans and Junior Reds to The Willows to meet the players and relax in the less formal event.

Lucky Junior Reds Season Tickets holders will be contacted shortly to inform tham they have won the prize of presenting a shirt to their favourite players on the night.

Tickets will be available from the club shop from Thursday 11 January.

The event on 29 January is our more formal, sit down meal where our business partners and sponsors for the season come together and present the shirt to the player they have chosen to sponsor in 2007. Fans are also welcome to join us for dinner on this prestigeous evening.

Tickets are priced at £35+VAT including dinner or £5 non-dining and the evening will be hosted by Sky Sports’
Eddie Hemmings and end with a top-class caberet act.

To make a booking or reserve non-dining tickets for the 29 January , call Andrew Bentham on 0161 661 1788 or email him on andrew.bentham@reds.co.uk

Wilkinson Celebrates 25 Years

Salford City Reds wishes to pass congratulations onto club Chairman John Wilkinson OBE who today celebrates his 25th anniversary as chairman of the club.

The longest serving chairman in British Rugby League, John’s enthusiasm for the Reds developed with the arrival of David Watkins and Friday night rugby at the Willows and he was a regular sponsor of the club before eventually taking over as chairman on January 3, 1982 from predecessor Keith Snape who sadly passed away last month.

A successful Salford businessman in his own right John has been a hands on chairman and involves himself in much of the clubs day to day business, most recently being granted permission to build a new iconic stadium that will become the Reds new home in 2009. Awarded the accolade of OBE for his services to the city, John has become affectionately know as ‘Mr Salford’ and continues to push forward with his business plans in the city on both club and personal levels.

Salford City Reds CEO, David Tarry said, “Having worked with John for almost 25 years throughout his term as chairman, I can testify more than most to the stability and professionalism he has brought to the game. John has given great service to not only he club but also the greater game and as a club we are much respected and highly regarded throughout Rugby League as a club that has rugby interest at heart”.

To celebrate 25 years at the helm, John is offering one lucky person the chance to take his place and become Salford City Reds chairman for the day at the first Super League game of the season against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday 11 February. STOP! Competition Time!

To celebrate 25 years as Chairman, John Wilkinson is offering one lucky person the opportunity to become chairman for the day at Salford City Reds.

This offer is valid for the first engage Super League game of the season against Leeds on Sunday 11 February 2006.

Could you represent the club at the first game of the season and take the place of John Wilkinson? Do you know somebody who deserves this honour?

Maybe they have been a lifelong Reds’ fan through thick and thin, maybe they have overcome personal adversity, or maybe it’s something simple such as being born on the day John took over.

To enter the competition you must be a season ticket holder, but can nominate either yourself or someone you know (including non season ticket holders), who you feel worthy enough to become chairman for the day.

The person will take the chairman’s table for pre match and will be able to bring a further seven family and friends to share the day.

Our celebrity panel will evaluate each individual entry and narrow it down to a final three and then John Wilkinson will personally select the winner at the end of the month.

All entries must be received by 12pm Friday 19 January 2007 to be considered