Early Christmas Present for Fans as Stadium Moves Closer
November 26, 2008 by Paul Mc · 17 Comments
There is exciting news on the Reds’ new stadium project as the green light has now been given by the administrators Begbies Traynor for the land to be placed back in the club’s control after the conclusion of the voluntary administration process of Red City Developments.
With the position regarding Red City now finalised, control of the development land has now passed to Peel Holdings – the club’s preferred developer partner who will now proceed to finalise the project in readiness for work on the stadium to commence. The new revised scheme and plans for the City’s showpiece circa £30m stadium will be announced as early as possible in the New Year.
The Reds are due to move into their new home in 2010 and with the might of Peel Holdings and the City of Salford now firmly behind them are keen to stress that the development is very much alive, despite several hold-ups and the current credit crunch.
Reds’ Chairman John Wilkinson said, “This is great news for the club and its fans and means we can now continue with our exciting plans. The Club, The City and Peel Holdings have stated that our new home will be among the best in the country, and we will not falter in any way to compromise on that quality simply to speed things up.
We are grateful to our developer partners Peel Holdings who have certainly gone the extra mile to deliver the land bank back into the development. Peel has shown a great commitment and energy to the development and we are indebted to them for their help during this crucial period.
We are in hard times and while we acknowledge that the development is certainly taking a great deal of time and effort to finalise, it will get off the ground albeit later than we would have liked.
Peel Holdings are now tasked with delivering the stadium as our preferred developer, and both the Club and the City of Salford are excited by the prospect having seen their commitment, energy and ability at first hand.
Peel Holdings are among the premier developers in the country and we are working very closely with them, having received commitment from them at the highest possible level.
I do understand the frustrations of our loyal fans who are suffering through this with us but they must be patient a little while longer and continue to trust us to do the right thing – we will deliver.”
Peel Holdings Property Director Mike Butterworth said, “This development is now in the safe hands of Peel Holdings, we look forward to and are committed to delivering the quality stadium that the City, the Club and their supporters deserve.
Whilst it has been a long drawn out process for all concerned, we are now finally in a position to move forward and create a deliverable vision that will meet and exceed the expectations of all parties.”
Salford City Reds urged their fans to snap up their 2009 Season Ticket before the Christmas Eve deadline to claim their free team shirt and book their place in what is set to be a historic season at The Willows.
Reds CEO, David Tarry added: “Today’s news will be a great boost for our supporters who have waited long and patiently for this project to begin in earnest.
With Peel controlling the development I feel that we are now in a position to make things happen, and all of this at a time of global economic turmoil. Peel’s continued support for such a significant landmark development even during such difficult times for the construction industry confirms their genuine commitment to the delivery of this project on time“.
Reds Start With Super League Crusade
The 2009 Super League fixtures have been released and the Reds will start with a plum home time against last season’s rivals the Celtic Crusaders on Saturday 14 February.
This is followed by consecutive trips to West Yorkshire to Wakefield and Castleford before the Reds return home to face Quins on 6 March.
Other dates supporter’s will be interested in are the Good Friday derby against Warrington and the trip to the south of France the week after to face the Dragons.
| Home | Away | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14/02 :: | 19:30:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Celtic Crusaders | |||||||||||||||||||
| 22/02 :: | 15:30:00 | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 28/02 :: | 18:00:00 | Castleford Tigers | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 06/03 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Harlequins RL | |||||||||||||||||||
| 13/03 :: | 20:00:00 | St Helens | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 20/03 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Wigan Warriors | |||||||||||||||||||
| 29/03 :: | 15:00:00 | Hull Kingston Rovers | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 10/04 :: | 15:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Warrington Wolves | |||||||||||||||||||
| 13/04 :: | 15:00:00 | Leeds Rhinos | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 18/04 :: | 19:30:00 | Catalans Dragons | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 25/04 :: | 18:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Hull F C | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2/3/05 :: | TBC | Salford City Reds | V | Harlequins RL | |||||||||||||||||||
| 17/05 :: | 15:00:00 | Huddersfield Giants | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 22/05 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Bradford Bulls | |||||||||||||||||||
| 05/06 :: | 20:00:00 | Wigan Warriors | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 12/06 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Catalans Dragons | |||||||||||||||||||
| 19/06 :: | 20:00:00 | Hull F C | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 26/06 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Huddersfield Giants | |||||||||||||||||||
| 03/07 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | St Helens | |||||||||||||||||||
| 11/07 :: | 18:00:00 | Celtic Crusaders | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 17/07 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Castleford Tigers | |||||||||||||||||||
| 26/07 :: | 15:00:00 | Warrington Wolves | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 31/07 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | |||||||||||||||||||
| 15/08 :: | 15:00:00 | Harlequins RL | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 21/08 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Hull Kingston Rovers | |||||||||||||||||||
| 06/09 :: | 15:00:00 | Bradford Bulls | V | Salford City Reds | |||||||||||||||||||
| 11/09 :: | 20:00:00 | Salford City Reds | V | Leeds Rhinos | |||||||||||||||||||
Please note fixtures are copyright 2008 The Rugy Football League and are subject to change. The Club cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred by errors or a change of date, location or kick-off time of any of these fixtures.
Kiwis Stun Aussies To Claim World Cup
For the second time in three years, New Zealand turned the formbook upside down to pull off a stunning victory over Australia.
The Kiwis, rated 7-1 outsiders by bookmakers before kick-off, came from 10-0 down to play the Kangaroos off the park and lift the World Cup for the first time in the 54-year history of the tournament.
British fans among the 50,559 crowd at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium cheered the underdogs to a sensational victory which ended 36 years of domination by Australia.
Full-back Lance Hohaia scored two tries, including a controversial penalty touchdown awarded by English video referee Steve Ganson, as the Kiwis ended an eight-match losing run at the hands of the arch enemy stretching back to their 24-0 Tri-Nations Series in 2005.
The outcome was especially sweet for the Kiwis’ assistant coach Wayne Bennett, who was sacked as Australia coach in the wake of that shock defeat at Elland Road three years earlier.
The match looked to be going according to the script when international player of the year Billy Slater created two tries in seven minutes for skipper Darren Lockyer and winger David Williams.
But Slater turned from hero to villain in the second half by gifting a try to New Zealand stand-off Benji Marshall while Williams was also punished for a defensive blunder as the Australians wilted in the face of a second-half onslaught.
The Kiwis hit back in the first half through Jeremy Smith and Jerome Ropati and Issac Luke’s second goal edged them in front before man-of-the-match Lockyer went over for his second try six minutes before the break.
But, with Fein and Hohaia pulling the strings, New Zealand dominated the second half with prop Adam Blair clinching victory by grabbing a sixth try five minutes from the end.
Goldsmith Parts Company With Reds
November 22, 2008 by Paul Mc · 2 Comments
Salford City Reds can confirm that Patricia Goldsmith, the Club’s Commercial Director has left the club with immediate effect
Reds’ CEO David Tarry said “Trish has resigned her position and we thank her for the excellent work heading up the commercial sales department and we wish her well in the future. Read more
engage Super League fixtures published on Monday
November 19, 2008 by Paul Mc · 6 Comments
The fixtures for engage Super League XIV will be published on Monday (24 November) and will reveal that champions Leeds Rhinos will kick off the season with a home tie on Friday 6 February.
Next year’s engage Super League will see many firsts for Rugby League. It will be the first season with 14 licensed clubs who are guaranteed top flight status until 2011 and it will also see a first Welsh team, Celtic Crusaders, taking part in the competition.
As well as regular fixtures in England, France and Wales, engage Super League will also break new ground next year with games in Scotland and Spain.
On 2 and 3 May the third annual Magic Weekend will take place at a new venue, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium where the Reds will take on Harlequins, whilst Catalans Dragons are also moving one of their home fixtures to Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium.
The climax to the season will be an expanded eight team play-off, the format of which will be announced shortly, and the engage Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday 10 October.
Tickets for the Magic Weekend and the engage Super League Grand Final are already available from the RFL Box Office on 0871 226 13 13 or via www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk
The Reds’ Rugby Roundup Show Returns to 94.4FM
November 18, 2008 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
This Wednesday sees the return of our popular Rugby Roundup show on Salford City Radio 94.4FM.
While we may have been away for a little off-season break, we’re back with a bang with a couple of World Cup Special shows before things get too festive.
With England wildly under-performing Down Under there’ll be plenty to get through but as ever we’ll be concentrating on the Reds and with the lads now back in training and our Antipodean quota beginning to arrive, 2009 has never seemed closer.
So, join Paul McNally and Paul Parkin at 6pm on 94.4FM or listen online at www.salfordcityradio.org this Wednesday and join in the banter. Email any questions to studio@salfordcityradio.org and we’ll do our best to get through them all.
Don’t forget if you miss the show it will be available (minus the great music and indeed interactivity) from Thursday on our Podcast.
Big Lottery Winners 17/11/08
November 17, 2008 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Now’s the time to find out if you are one of this week’s big winners on the Reds’ Golden Bond lottery. Each week you could win up to £10000 for a single £1 stake…think of how you could spend that money in the run up to Christmas.
And, if you buy a Season Ticket before the festive period we’ll even thrown in 10 Read more
Win £250 To Spend Courtesy Of engage!
November 17, 2008 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Started the Christmas shopping yet?
engage Super League title sponsor engage Mutual Assurance would like to help out in these tricky financial times and are offering the opportunity to win £250 Read more
England Slump Out Of World Cup
November 15, 2008 by Paul Mc · 2 Comments
Tony Smith’s future as England’s national coach will not be affected by England’s World Cup failure.
England were left packing their bags and preparing to return home with their tails between their legs after going down 32-22 to New Zealand in the first semi-final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, a third successive defeat that followed seven consecutive victories under Smith.
Even England’s solitary success in Australia, a 32-22 triumph over minnows Papua New Guinea, is remembered most for the defensive frailty that has become a hallmark of their displays in the tournament.
Smith’s team have conceded 142 points in four matches, but the coach insists he will see out the remaining 12 months on his contract and he was given a vote of confidence by Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis within an hour of the final whistle.
Asked if Smith’s position is under threat, Lewis responded: “No, not at all.
“He has a huge role to play in the debrief and review of what’s happened here – and he has a huge role to play in setting the record straight when we have a Four Nations in the northern hemisphere in 2009.
“He’s an outstanding coach and he’s respected right through the sport. I respect him hugely as a coach but also as a person. I think he’s got a huge role to play in the future of the sport.”
Smith, cheekily linked by an Australian tabloid newspaper to the coaching vacancy at Parramatta on the eve of today’s game, vowed not to walk out on the RFL – where he is also technical director.
“Coaches like challenges,” he said.
“Coaches have to be tough and learn from each game. They don’t go running away very often.”
After waiting eight years for their team to make amends for their last World Cup flop, the 6,000-strong English contingent in the 26,659 crowd had their hopes raised by the increasing standards of Super League – but they filed out of Suncorp Stadium as disillusioned as ever.
That disillusion is over the abject failure of Smith’s team to perform even the basics, such as man-to-man marking and implementing and maintaining an adequate defensive pattern.
The Kiwis pulled and twisted England’s defensive line out of position with alarming ease to create tries for Lance Hohaia, Sam Perrett and Jerome Ropati that put them into a 16-0 lead after 23 minutes.
The Kiwis managed to recover a 16-point deficit to win 36-24 in their ‘dress rehearsal’ in Newcastle, but it was a task beyond Smith’s chronically misfiring side.
They briefly gave themselves hope by carving out tries for captain Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire, with Rob Burrow adding a goal, to trail 16-10 at half-time.
But an error-strewn performance continued after the break as England fumbled their way to another depressing defeat.
Bronson Harrison, Ropati and Benji Marshall added further tries for New Zealand – rendering McGuire’s second touchdown and Martin Gleeson’s effort irrelevant.
Three times they cut the deficit to a converted try – but at no time did they look like going on to win the game.
There were few redeeming features for England, although Peacock led from the front as ever – and McGuire showed some nice touches on attack – while Keith Senior could hold his head up on his farewell international appearance.
If Paul Sykes paid the price for Manu Vatuvei’s four-try feat a week earlier, it was the turn of Ade Gardner to become a gibbering wreck. But he was not on his own, and even the normally assured Paul Wellens now looks out of his depth at Test level.
“We’re all a bit shattered at the moment,” said Smith, who admitted his key men failed miserably to rediscover their Super League form.
“It’s tough. We haven’t done as well as we wanted to – and that’s disappointing.
“I don’t think we’ve produced some of what we can play in England, and that’s the disappointing thing.
“We wanted to move up the rankings and we’ve probably stayed where we are. The Kiwis were good enough to get us and they deserve to stay number two.
“We felt we could come over and win it. Even right up until the last minute or two, the players and myself still felt that way.”
Defiant to the end, Smith bemoaned the absence of four members of his train-on squad through injury but defended his semi-final team.
“I would love to have had Sam Burgess for you guys to see – but it wasn’t to be,” he said.
“Garreth Carvell is a terrific player – and so are (Gareth) Raynor and Sean O’Loughlin – but we’ve all got those tales.
“I had the team that I had and I’m proud of them. They tried their hardest, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Cashmere For Questions – Big Ray’s Ready To Rumble
November 14, 2008 by Paul Mc · 5 Comments
Salford City Reds return to training on Monday ahead of the 2009 Super League season so we decided to sit down with Aussie new boy Ray Cashmere and get the lowdown on how the big man is settling in after his arrival last week
To see Ray’s video interview with Paul McNally in full simply click the play button below.
httpvh://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OmBglzWS4SQ
To celebrate Ray’s arrival we are giving away the first signed Reds’ Cashmere merchandise so if you want the opportunity to win the only signed Cashmere shirt in existence, all you have to do is sign up for our daily newsletter (see the right hand column) and the winner will be drawn from those on the list on Monday 1 December.
Don’t forget if you want to see Ray in action week in week out time is running out to renew your season ticket and qualify for a free replica shirt. You only have until 24 December to make some great savings and pick up your free gift!
