City Gathers for Special Night
June 29, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Last Friday evening saw the grand gala dinner to celebrate Mr. John Wilkinson OBE’s 25 year in charge at The Reds.
Local businesses and partners (all members of the Chairman’s Silver Jubilee Club) came to celebrate this unique achievement with the man himself and packed the room out at The Willows which had been specially dressed for the occasion sponsored by Clark and Perkins and Gem Cards. .
The evening began with a champagne reception for guests before everyone was seated and Grace (Ave Maria) was performed by the world renowned Tenor and Salfordian, Mr Jon Christos . The Salford’s Number One Tenor was accompanied by Soprano Miss Hannah Clarke.
Other musical performers who entertained the Vip guests throughout dinner were Miss Kristyna Myles and Mr Ben Williams followed by Mr. Jon Christos and Miss Hannah Clarke. Many thanks to Mr. Perry Hughes and his splendid artists from Roots Music performing free of charge in honour of our Chairman, John Wilkinson OBE. The night’s entertainment also included charity roulette tables late night disco sponsored by Superb Functions..
Former Reds’ star, manager, director and GB Manager Mr Les Bettinson – a member of the Salford City Reds’ Hall of Fame and Life Member of the Rugby Football League gave the toast for John Wilkinson spoke to the gathered diners. Mr. Bettinson also read out a hand written letter of acknowledgment and thanks from the legend, Mr. David Watkins.
Members of the Chairman’s Silver Jubilee Club were placed into a draw to win the sponsorship of the club’s state-of-the-art RedPlanet website and the winning company was Barlow Andrews who will be recognised as an Associate Main Sponsor of Salford City Reds and their company branding will now appear on each page served on the internet.
We will now leave you with images of this gala event and would like to thank all who attended for making The Chairman’s Silver Jubilee Dinner a very special evening for John, Elaine and their family.
Hull game postponed due to flooding
June 29, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Salford City Reds Round 18 fixture against Hull FC at the KC Stadium has been postponed due to extensive flooding in the area, and with more heavy rain expected the decision has been taken ahead of the tie to prevent fans from travelling.
After a week of extensive flooding, which has devastated the region this week and with a Met Office severe weather warning forecasting more torrential rain today, tomorrow and throughout the weekend, Hull have made this decision after consultation with the various emergency and environmental agencies.
KC Stadium manager John Cooper said: “As a result of discussions with all the emergency services and support agencies that form the Silver Commanders structure set up in the City to deal with the flood crisis, and The Hull City Council Safety at Sports Grounds Officer, it has been mutually agreed that the Hull FC v Salford City Reds scheduled to be played on Sunday be postponed until Sunday 29th July .
“Both Hull FC and the SMC support the decision in view of the fact that the services cannot provide the safety levels necessary to satisfy the Stadium Safety Certificate, Emergency Planning and Major Incident Plan”
Hull Chief Executive James Rule added: “I wish to apologise to the fans for the disappointment of this postponement. However having taken advice from all the relevant emergency services and the Safety Advisory group the club fully support this decision.
“Those fans who have already bought tickets or hospitality packages must retain their tickets, they will be valid for the rearranged fixture on Sunday 29 July . Anybody wanting to book additional hospitality for the rearranged game should contact the commercial department on 01482 304964 or corporate@hullfc.com
Coach tickets remain valid for the game on 29th for fans who are already booked.
Web sponsor unveiled
June 27, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Salford City Reds are pleased to announce that Barlow Andrews Chartered Accountants are the new official sponsor of the RedPlanet website as well as being recognied as an Associate Main Sponsor of the Club..
The company’s logo and link will appear on each page of the Reds’ popular online home during the remainder of the 2007 season and throughout 2008.
The sponsor was decided by prize draw of all members of the Chairman’s Silver Jubilee Club at the grand gala dinner last Friday.
Club Director, Patricia Goldsmith said: “We are obviously delighted to be partnered with a company of such standing as Barlow Andrews. Barlow Andrews area very professional company who have the same values in business as our Chairman Mr.John A Wilkinson OBE and everyone associated with the Club.
“We see Barlow Andrews as the right company to join in partnership with as our plans for the website continue to go from strength to strength as we see this as a very valuable means of communication between the club and our fans. ”
Philp Riding Senior Partner from Barlow Andrews said “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to be involved even more closely with Salford Rugby Club and its fans at this exciting tiime in the club’s development especially the efforts being made to widen the appeal of the game and the club to the wider community .
” The Chairman’s Silver Jubilee Club was formed with this specific purpose in mind and we were keen to support such a worthwhile cause which also helps to acknowledge the contribution of the Chairman to the club and to the local community .”
Reds Pair Turn out for Great Britain With Pride
June 25, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Salford City Reds stars David Hodgson and Andy Coley both played for Great Britain in Friday’s win over France.
It’s many a year since the Reds had two faces in the GB line-ip and all at the club would like to congratulate the two lads on their achievements over the past season and a half.
engage SL Fans Have Their Say
June 21, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Thousands of supporters now have the chance to have their say on engage Super League thanks to a survey specially commissioned by the RFL.
“These results will provide clubs and the RFL with a valuable insight into what engage Super League fans think which in turn will help them to build stronger relationships with their core supporter base.”
Independent sports research consultancy SMRC SportsWise will carry out the work in the coming weeks which will aim to reach over 60,000 supporters across all 12 clubs in the competition.
Supporters should look out for an email from their club inviting them to go on-line and complete the survey. Those fans responding will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed shirt from the club of their choice plus four tickets to the 2007 engage Super league Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Commenting on the survey, the RFL’s Marketing Manager Phil Willams said: “We believe that the views of our supporters are extremely important and valuable and we look forward to receiving their opinions.
“They have made a key contribution to the success of engage Super League as it has grown and developed in recent seasons and we would encourage as many people as possible to become involved.”
James Stone, Senior Researcher at SMRC SportsWise, said “This survey will give fans the opportunity to let us know their thoughts on a wide range of issues, from their preferred kick-off times to their attitude towards the price of club merchandise.
“These results will provide clubs and the RFL with a valuable insight into what engage Super League fans think which in turn will help them to build stronger relationships with their core supporter base.”
This will be the second occasion the RFL has sought the views of supporters. A similar fan survey took place in 2005 and key changes in views and opinions will be monitored
Also on completion of the survey, each club will receive a detailed report, outlining what their fans think about key areas of their operations.
Claybank Motors to Sponsor McRae
June 20, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Salford City Reds are delighted to announce that local garage Claybank Motors are the proud sponsors of Reds’ coach Shaun McRae for the 2007 season.
Situated at the A 57 roundabout in Peel Green, Claybank Motors has been run by business partners, Gary McMahon and Andy Ambler for the past 25 years. Proud of their roots both Gary and Andy were born and bred in Salford, attending the local school close to The willows and have been involved with the Reds for several years.
Commenting on the sponsorship Andy said, ‘Claybank Motor Company are delighted to be sponsoring Shaun McRae this season and we wish him all the best in his new role at Salford. Claybank is supportive of both John Wilkinson and the club and we wish them well for the remainder of the season.
Claybank have also extended a deal to all Reds’ supporters who happen to purchase a car from the garage. Mention Shaun’s name at the time of purchase and you will be presented with the keys to your new wheels by Shaun himself at an arranged photo call. Salford City Reds will also arrange for you to become a corporate man of the match sponsor at a future game.
Reds’ coach Shaun McRae said, ‘My thanks go out to Gary and Andy at Claybank Motors for their sponsorship. I have been overwhelmed by the support from fans and sponsors at Salford City Reds during my first week as coach and I look forward to working with Claybank throughout the season.
Reds’ Stars to Face GB Test
June 20, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Salford City Reds’ stars David Hodgson and Andy Coley have been named in the 18-man squad set to take on the French at Headingley Carnegie on Friday night. The Frontline Test Match will be new GB coach Tony Smith’s first game at the helm. Reds’ assistant Coach James Lowes is also involved in the international camp as GB Trainer.
Five players are set to make their Great Britain debuts this Friday in the Frontline Test Match against France and eight players will start a Lions Test Match for the first time.
Amongst those set to earn their first cap for the national side are the Harlequins RL duo of Chris Melling and Paul Sykes, Bradford Bulls forward pairing of Andy Lynch and Jamie Langley and Salford City Reds’ Andrew Coley.
Stephen Wild, Rob Burrow, James Roby, and Jon Wilkin will also start a Test Match for the first time having previously won caps as interchanges.
Adrian Morley will captain the side that will see Leeds Rhinos’ Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow link up at half-back.
The full starting line up is
1.
Chris Melling
Harlequins RL
0 Caps
2.
David Hodgson
Salford City Reds
1+1
3.
Stephen Wild
Huddersfield Giants
0+1
4.
Paul Sykes
Harlequins RL
0
5.
Ade Gardner
St Helens
1
6.
Danny McGuire
Leeds Rhinos
7+2
7.
Rob Burrow
Leeds Rhinos
0+1
8.
Adrian Morley (Captain)
Warrington Wolves
26+6
9.
James Roby
St Helens
0+4
10.
Andy Lynch
Bradford Bulls
0
11.
Gareth Ellis
Leeds Rhinos
10+3
12
Andrew Coley
Salford City Reds
0
13.
Jon Wilkin
St Helens
0+3
14.
Sean O’Loughlin
Wigan Warriors
4+3
15.
James Graham
St Helens
0+1
16.
Kevin Sinfield
Leeds Rhinos
6+6
17.
Jamie Langley
Bradford Bulls
0
18.
Jon Clarke
Warrington Wolves
0
Great Britain coach Tony Smith said: “This is a really strong side and the perfect opportunity for a number of these players to stake their claim for a place in the squad for this autumn’s Gillette Fusion Test Series against New Zealand. As a group we’re all very excited as this is a new beginning not only for the players but the coaching staff who, you could say, are all making their international debuts as well.
“As I expect the French to be really tough in the forwards I’ve gone for quite a big, but mobile pack. This is supported by a very energetic bench to ensure that we can maintain our intensity in the match for the full 80 minutes.
Tickets for Friday night’s match which kicks off at Headingley Carnegie at 8pm are still available.
Children’s tickets start from £5 and season ticket holders of any engage Super League or Co-operative National League side have until Thursday evening to buy tickets with up to 25% discount. Thursday evening is also the cut off point for families to take advantage of a special £25 ticket that gives entry to two adults and two children.
On the night of the match spectators can pay on the gate. General admission starts from £12 and entry for kids is £5
Alker’s Hand ‘is fine’
June 18, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Contrary to reports in today’s press RedPlanet can confirm that Malcolm Alker has not broken his hand again and came through his comeback match fine.
Physio Christine Holmes told us: “We picked up no major injuries, the usual bumps and bruises but nothing more.”
McRae Ready for the Fray
June 15, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Shaun McRae is relishing his latest engage Super League challenge as he prepares for the task of hauling Salford City Reds off the bottom of the table.
The Australian was a familiar face throughout the first nine seasons of the competition as he led St Helens to the title and then moved to Gateshead and Hull FC.
He left Britain at the end of 2004 to take up a post with South Sydney but his return was confirmed earlier this week when the struggling City Reds named him as Karl Harrison’s successor.
The 48-year-old has a massive job on his hands as he aims to lift the Reds, currently three points adrift, clear of relegation trouble, but he admits he cannot wait to get started.
Harlequins RL provide him with his first opposition as the London club visit The Willows on Friday evening.
McRae, who has been out of frontline coaching since leaving the Rabbitohs last winter, said: “When you are a coach you wonder with all the stresses and strains whether it’s all worth it sometimes, but when you’re out of it you really miss all that.
“I am really looking forward to the game. I know the more games you are involved in the less nervous you should get but I think there will be a little bit of that.
“We’ve had four training sessions now and the players have been very responsive.
“I think they are a very talented bunch of players and I think the balance is pretty good. There are some experienced players and some good rookies to give you that youthful exuberance you need.
“They haven’t performed this year for a number of reasons, and injuries have played a big part.
“But I’ve been really impressed with them and we’re all looking forward to playing Harlequins.”
Everybody’s Going McRazy
June 14, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Salford City Reds Chairman John Wilkinson, OBE has been getting ready for a return to the 1980s to celebrate 25 years at the helm at The Willows. Friday’s game against the Quins will be an 80s spectacular and to promote the game some of the players took time out to dress the part for the TV cameras.
Fans with time to watch Granada local news tomorrow evening (Friday) before coming along to the match will see Karl Fitzpatrick and David Hodgson in full Miami Vice attire while Paul Highton looked strangely comfortable as Freddie Mercury with skipper Malc Alker coming over all dandy highwayman as Adam Ant.
Don’t forget kids pay just 80p on the night and fans wishing to continue their 80s experience can head on into The Willows Variety Centre after the game (no rugby shirts!) and enjoy the entertainment on offer free of charge.
It looks like being a soggy one and latest news is that the U21 curtainraiser has been postponed to protect the pitch for the Super League clash.
18-Man Squads:
Reds: Hodgson, Moule, McGuinness, Littler, Wilshere, Dorn, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Korkidas, Brocklehurst, Finnigan, Gower, Turner, Edmondson, Nash, Highton, Jewitt.
Quins: Bannister, Gafa, Grayshon, Hopkins, Mbu, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, McLinden, Melling, Mills, Orr, Paul, Randall, Rinaldi, T. Smith, Sykes, Temata, Wells, Worrincy.
Salford City Reds would like to thank Funky Fever Fancy Dress in Altrincham for the supply of the costumes.
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