Reds Academy smash Warrington

Another fantastic performance from the lads, winning 38-4 against Warrington Wolves at The Willows and continuing to look hugely impressive. Frank Grundy’s match report will be up early next week.

Well done to Alan Hunte and his team! Get down and watch them if you can – well worth it!

NRC Semi Final Details

The game will be played at The Brewery Field on Saturday 14th June, Kickoff 5.30pm.

Prices are as follows:

Adults 10

Concessions 5

Juniors 1

We will be running affordable, not for profit coach travel to this fixture (as we have done for the last few games) – details will be announced early next week with seats going on sale at the same time.

29/05/08: Whitehaven 26-22 Reds (NL1)

Teenage scrum-half Gregg McNally scored a brilliant debut hat-trick as struggling Whitehaven stunned Co-operative National League One title contenders Salford on Thursday night.

The A-Level student capped a memorable performance with a stunning breakaway try from a kick-off as the Cumbrians ran out 26-22 victors at the Recreation Ground.

McNally said: “It’s a 17-man game, I can’t do it on my own – but what a debut.”

Match Report courtesy of our partner Manchester Evening News.
Click logo for more local news.

SALFORD boss Shaun McRae will today launch a major inquest following Salford Reds’ first National League defeat of the season.

McRae’s men were stunned and smashed into submission by a plucky set of part-timers and a schoolboy scrum-half Greg McNally, who scored a hat-trick of tries.

This performance had been coming and Reds left the Recreation Ground with their pride wounded and humbled.

McRae admitted this performance from a club with Super League aspirations was not up to scratch.

Ironically former Salford star Gary Broadbent played out of his skin alongside 17-year-old McNally to help guide Haven to a deserved victory.

Mistakes

McRae now waits to see how his team respond.

He said: “I am very disappointed to lose, we were expecting a hard game and we got it.

“We made mistakes, we took the wrong option at times and we were never in control.”

Adam Sidlow’s first try for Salford spared Reds’ blushes at the break and gave them a flattering 18-16 lead.

Haven naturally raised their game and their young scrum half McNally rocked Reds with a slick two-try blast.

Craig Stapleton had given Salford the lead with an early try and there was a second from Robbie Paul but a far better performance was expected from the visitors.

The Reds were just not gelling as a team and adding to their worries, Ian Sibbit was an early casualty with a knee injury.

Haven recently leaked 106 points at Wigan but they more than matched Salford whose hopes of a second-half revival were shattered when man-of-the-match McNally completed his hat-trick to give his side a 24-18 lead.

Salford spent long periods bombarding the Whitehaven try line but time after time they were repelled by the Cumbrians.

Paul White eventually reduced the deficit but this was Whitehaven’s night.

The Salford players trooped off with their heads down, they knew things had gone badly wrong.

Evergreen rockers Status Quo will soon be gracing the Recreation Ground in a sell-out concert.

Hopefully they will be far more in tune than the Reds were last night.

Northern Rail Cup Semi Final Draw

The draw for the semi-finals of the 2008 Northern Rail Cup has been made live on Sky Sports’ Boots ‘n’ All programme and the Reds face a tough trip away in South Wales against the Celtic Crusaders who put up a great performance at The Willows a few weeks ago.

The draw is as follows:

Celtic Crusaders v Salford City Reds

Batley Bulldogs v Doncaster

The ties will be played between the 12th and 15th June.

The precise dates and kick-off times of both matches will be confirmed in due course.

Reds Spread Healthy Lifestyle Message at Winton Festival

Salford City Reds braved the windy conditions on Bank Holiday Monday to test the fitness of young people at the Annual Winton Festival at the Brown Cow pub in Eccles.

Development Officers Seb Rowe and Tom Haworth were in attendance to put children through a range of activities and spread the word about healthy lifestyles. Exercises ranged from the sit and reach test which measured flexibility, to the hand grip dynamometer, which tests a person’s grip strength, a key attribute of successful rugby players. The community team also demonstrated their versatility by refereeing the annual football tournament, which involved all the children that had taken part in the fitness tests.

One child remarked “the fitness tests were really good. I didn’t know how stiff I was before and now know I should stretch a lot more. I also know a lot more about eating better and getting more exercise. I can’t wait to go to the Salford match now and see what their fitness is like!”

Seb Rowe, Development Officer at the Reds said “Today was a great opportunity for Salford City Reds to engage young people in the local community. It is important that people get the message about healthy lifestyles at a young age. This provides them with the knowledge to better manage their own lifestyles years into the future.”

Each of the children that took part were rewarded with a Golden Angels family ticket for the Reds match against Sheffield Eagles on Friday 6^th June.

Bullen Logo to Appear on Shirt Again

Bullen Conservation have confirmed their commitment to Salford City Reds with a deal that will see them extend their partnership with the club as associate main sponsor for next season with the Bullen company logo appearing on the sleeve of the 2009 strip.

Having pledged their support to the Reds as a Founder Member of their iconic new stadium at Barton, Bullen Conservation are now into their fourth year of partnership with Salford City Reds and will remain with the club through the stadium transition remaining a loyal partner until that key date.

Mike Bullen, Managing Director of Bullen Conservation, said:

“Bullen Conservation have enjoyed their association with Salford over recent years especially
Salford City Reds Chairman, John Wilkinson OBE, said:

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome back Mike and his team as business partners and founder members with Salford City Reds for the fourth consecutive year. Bullen Conservation remains a loyal friend to the club, and is exactly the kind of business we wish to be involved with.”
with their warm & friendly approach throughout
the whole club. we’re therefore still pleased to confirm our continued support for the next season.

“We’re especially looking forward to joining them back in the Super League where we really belong with our new spectacular stadium matching rivals both on and off the pitch!”

Offering a complete conservation and masonry service for Historic, Ecclesiastical and Commercial projects, Bullen Conservation is a young, professional company specialising in the restoration of fine and historic buildings, and is already noted for its impressive work on a number of high profile projects across Salford, Manchester and the North West.

Another Major Deal Tied Up for Reds

Salford City Reds are delighted to announce that builders and developers Godliman and Watson have confirmed their support to the club and will remain as associate shirt sponsor, with the company logo appearing on the collar of the playing kit for the 2009 season.

Having joined the Board of Directors at Salford City Reds last year, Iain Watson, co-founder of Godliman and Watson, commented:

“‘Godliman-Watson Homes are committed to supporting the club and are confident that the success it deserves both for its Chairman and Supporters will soon be delivered as the city gets behind the Reds application for a Super league licence.

“It has been a privilege to be involved with the Reds and we have enjoyed every minute. With the new stadium coming up fast Salford City Reds is a great club with a big future.”

Godliman – Watson Homes have been creating quality homes and apartments for the past twenty years, with current developments focused in the Broughton area of Salford. Working in conjunction with Salford City Reds the Godliman and Watson are this weekend, offering a free 2009 family season ticket (2 adults 2 children) to anyone who puts down a deposit on one of their apartments or houses at the Albert Park View development this weekend.*

With two bedroom apartments starting at £125,000 and three story, three bedroom town houses from £179,950** the promotional offer lasts for the Bank Holiday weekend only with the sales office open from 11am to 4pm Sat 24 may – Mon 26 May. For further details call 0161 708 0394.

Patricia Goldsmith Director at Salford City Reds said:

“The Albert Park View development oozes quality and these fabulous homes are built to a very high standard. We are delighted that Iain has agreed once again to work in partnership with the Club to offer our supporters this fantastic family offer of a family season ticket with every purchase on the site this weekend.

Formed in 1985 by Barry Godliman and Iain Watson the company is committed to enhancing the area in which they develop and have gradually expanded over the past 20 years, training many of their staff as part of a loyal and competent workforce which takes great pride in its work.

Salford City reds Chairman, John Wilkinson, OBE commented:

“It is a pleasure and an honour to announce Godliman and Watson‘s continued support as Associate Main Sponsor. Iain is an asset to the club involved at board level and most recently in the foundation trust and brings a passion and understanding of what is required to move the club forward.

“I am delighted to be continuing our relationship with Godliman and Watson on a commercial and community basis.”

Big Match Preview – Featherstone Rovers – NRC Qtr Final

Salford City Reds will take to the field at Featherstone tonight wearing black armbands, as a sign of respect to Club Director Neil Hilton who sadly passed away last Saturday.

With staff and players rocked by the news of Neil’s unexpected death, a determined Salford side will be looking to honour his memory at the Northern Rail Cup Quarter final match against Featherstone Rovers this evening.

Going into the game on the back of a home win against Celtic Crusaders, Head coach Shaun McRae, is relishing the opportunity of a break from league duty and believes the travelling supporters will get right behind the team.

“People only really start to get interested in cup competitions when it comes to quarter final time, I think it’s going to be a difficult game away to Featherstone, they are a tough team and we will have to be on top of our game to progress.”

With Craig Stapleton back from Australia after a short trip back home due to a family bereavement, Adam Sidlow did enough in the Celtic game to keep his place in the line-up this evening.

McRae continues, “Adam did well against Celtic Crusaders and keeps Craig out of the starting line up, Craig says he is fresh after his flight back from Australia but we will make a decision later today as to whether he will play tonight.”

Meanwhile McRae has also been impressed with winger Paul White who has really come into form over the past couple of games, commenting:

“Paul has looked dangerous recently and is playing really well. He got himself into good positions to finish his two tries last week and there is no doubt he is a threat. Overall, as a team we will be looking to get into the game much quicker and cannot afford another of the slow starts we have been having of late.”

The draw for the semi-finals of the Northern Rail Cup will take place on Wednesday 28 May live on Sky Sports’ Boots n All programme which starts at 6pm.

MP Continues Staunch Support

Salford City Reds’ application for Super League has been backed by Labour MP for Eccles, Ian Stewart.

Having always been a public supporter of the Reds new stadium, Ian told us:

“Sport is vital to the City of Salford and the Reds’ continue to fly the flag as our city’s only professional club. The new-format Super League without Salford City Reds is unthinkable and I am sure the Rugby Football League will view the club’s application with the merit it deserves.

“With the best stadium in the game about to come online in 2010 I am sure Super League will benefit hugely from seeing this great sport played in this fantastic arena.

I wholeheartedly support the efforts of Salford City Reds to gain a Super League licence as I believe it is vital for the area and the people of the city.”

The latest of several big names to show support for the Reds, Ian joins The Trafford Centre, the Guardian Media Group and Australian Assistant Head Coach, John Cartwright, who have all voiced their support as the Reds wait for the announcement expected in July.

The Final Countdown – Interview with John Wilkinson, OBE

One year on since we sat down with Salford City Reds Chairman, John Wilkinson, OBE for our last interview and things have moved on apace. John once again talks to
Paul McNally to speak of his vision for the future of the Reds with their move to the new stadium closer than ever.

A year is a long time in professional sport and in some ways ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ has never been more apt. Relegation from the Super League hit the Reds like a bolt from the blue at the end of last season. The year before had been Salford’s most successful ever in Super League and the future was as rosy as it could be before disaster on the field struck.

Now, several months on, with a new world-class Head Coach in place, the team sitting pretty in National League one and, at the time of writing, in the Quarter Finals of the Northern Rail Cup, the harrowing end to the 2007 campaign is becoming a distant memory.

John and the Reds board moved swiftly to right the wrongs of a flawed campaign. Bringing in Shaun McRae as head Coach, a man who has a Super League championship to his name with St Helens was the start of the new revolution. New Zealand international superstar Robbie Paul was next and the rugby league world began to sit up and take notice that the Reds intended to back and be back quickly.

Now, with work having finally commenced on site at the state-of-the-art new stadium at Barton and a very strong application for a Super League licence for 2009 onwards, the Reds have definitely turned the corner and playing in the National League for a season has even allowed them to try out some unique marketing schemes that they have reaped the benefits of.

“Nobody was more down at Salford at the end of last year than the people who live and breathe the club but the progress has to go on”, John said, “Now only a few months down the line things are very positive and we are able to quietly go about our work, getting everything ready for what we believe will be our return to Super League next season.”

Fundamental to the Reds bid for a swift Super League return has been the ability to get things moving at the site for the new City of Salford Stadium. With actual construction just weeks away it has been a long decade of planning applications and architectural twists and turns but it is almost time for the big guns to arrive on site.

The area is now clear and the land settling in preparation for the arrival of the machinery and components that will go towards building one of Rugby League’s showpiece venues, not just in this country but across the globe.

With the end of an, at times, frustrating, road in site John shares the feelings of every Reds’ fan at the prospect of watching the team run out in Barton for the first time.

“This stadium will be very important, not just for the sport of rugby league, but for our communities and city as a whole. Salford has changed dramatically in recent years and the people who live here now see that it is turning into an international destination with world-renowned attractions and businesses within our boundaries. Our new stadium will add to this and people outside can look at us and see what we have achieved in a relatively short period of time.

“It’s difficult to put into words how I will feel when Salford City Reds play our first game in our new home. I think the main feeling will be one of great pride that this facility will be there to the benefit of everybody for the next century, and that families and children for years long after will be able to come and enjoy seeing world-class athletes on our very doorstep.”

The famous old Willows, which has stood proudly in the Weaste district of Salford for the last century will finally give up its heritage and make its inevitable way into history taking with it its huge raft of memories, something with John is keen to show the proper amount of respect.

“We have recently announced plans for a Memorial Garden at the new site for the fans who have passed away over the years. A lot of people have had their ashes spread at The Willows and it is a very important place to a lot of people, so much so we knew we would have to do something to mark this appropriately.

“The Memorial Garden, which will use soil from The Willows allows us to take everybody with us and is the correct way to mark our move. Amid all the excitement of the build-up to a rugby league match it is right that there will be an area where people can reflect quietly on the passing of loved ones.
”
Rugby League prides itself on its family image and in order to continue to grow the sport it is the families and younger children that are vital to the club.

With the Reds moving into a new area of the city, and one that provides easy access to potentially hundreds of thousands of new potential spectators on the doorstep in Manchester, the club has seized on the possibility of promoting themselves while showcasing an exciting, winning brand of rugby.

At the start of this season John came up with the ‘Golden Angel’ – a scheme that allowed all the schools within the city to reward their children for their achievements in conjunction with the City Reds.
At the discretion of the school, head teachers were allowed to nominate children for their efforts that week with a certificate of Achievement signed by John himself, as well as a family ticket to come to the next Reds fixture.

The scheme has been an unmitigated success story with the Reds having twice broken the 6.000 crowd barrier this season and the sight of the Family Stand full has been extremely pleasing for the club.

“When I came up with the Golden Angel scheme we knew that we had the opportunity to do something special this year. The way all of the schools have come on board has been great and the children that are coming along are very proud that they have won their awards and that in turn has made their family’s proud.

“I believe every child in our city should have the opportunity to watch world class sport and what we are doing is giving the schools the opportunity to reward children with something special. The feedback we have had has been amazing. I have people coming up to me out and about in the city saying thanks for letting little Johnny go to the rugby, he’s got his certificate on his bedroom wall and I say to them, it’s not us, the child has that has won it for themselves.

“We have also got a very good sponsor for the scheme in NPP Security, a great local company who have been with us for a while now. It has really igniting the imagination of the city and this has been reflected in our healthy attendances with many people seeing live sport for the first time and then returning the week after which has been very pleasing.”

It is not just new sponsors that have joined the Reds this season. They have recently announced that premier sponsor the Trafford Centre will once again be on the shirt for 2009, something with which John is rightly pleased,

“We are delighted that an organisation of the magnitude of the Trafford Centre continues to put such a high value on its relationship with the Reds.

“To be able to command one of the biggest shirt sponsorship deals in the whole of rugby league tremendous. It is a deal that is the envy of most Super League clubs and is testament to the appeal and attractiveness of the Salford club to big business.”

Besides the Trafford Centre the Reds have also welcomed another major player to the table in Drivers Jonas, who as well as being the new Family Stand sponsor, are also the Project Management company for the Barton construction.

So with all of that in mind, it will be a very different interview no doubt when we sit down with the Chairman in 2009. The Reds have always maintained throughout the year that the only thing that was not Super League about the outfit was the title alone and have made great strides to ensure that both the on and off-field operation remains as professional as possible.

The rewards of this will begin to be reaped over the next 18 months as the Reds look to settle in their new home in front of record crowds at the pinnacle of the toughest game in the world

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