The Graced The Willows : Bill Burgess
May 21, 2010 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Our new feature on the greatest names to have graced The Willows shoots to the 1960s with our look at one of our greatest ever wingers, Bill Burgess. Former RU star Burgess made a huge impact on the club and we take a look at what he achieved during his time in Salford. Let’s get going.
Bill Burgess
One of the most respected wingers to have played for Salford, a match winner without doubt. He played for GB on 14 occasions, two fewer than his father Bill senior, who was a Down Under Tourist in both 1924 and 1928.
Young Bill made his mark at Barrow after turning professional from Fylde RU for a fee of £7000 towards the end of the 1960-61 season.
He set the town of Barrow alight with a hat-trick of tries on his debut in the opening match of the 1961-62 season at Doncaster and two days later scored two more against Oldham in his home debut.
HE soon impressed the selectors with his electrifying speed and change of pace and after just half a dozen club games he made his debut for Lancashire against the NZ Tourists.
In the 1962-63 season he notched four tries for Lancashire against Cumberland, then scored two tries for England in his debut match against France which produced an 18-6 victory.
That performance in turn earned hi a call-up for GB in their 17-12 defeat to France at Perpignon.
That was the first of his 14 caps for GB but probably the highlight of his International career came on the GB Tour of Australia in 1966 when he played in all five Tests. He scored a wonderful try on the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 1st test that even had the Aussie diehards cheering.
He scored a try on his farewell appearance for Barrow against Swinton on 6 December 1968 prior to his £6000 transfer to Salford, making his debut for the Reds in the 17-3 victory over Wakefield Trinity at The Willows a fortnight later.
Bill was an instant hit with the fans at Salford and there was no finer sight than seeing him speeding down the wing.
He assisted Salford to a sixth place finish in the League, their highest position for nearly 20 years but it was the Reds’ cup exploits that set the City buzzing.
Salford battled their way to the Challenge Cup Final in 1969 and along the way disposed of Batley (17-2), Workington (!2-5), Widnes (20-7) and Warrington (15-8) in the semi-final.
Bill scored a try in three of those games but his threat was blunted in the defeat to Castleford in the Final, when a tackle early on left him dazed for the rest of the game.
Whilst at Salford, Bill made just one appearance for GB, two for England and one for Lancashire. His 33 tries in just 44 appearances at Salford showed his pedigree but a series of shoulder injuries brought his magnificent career to a premature end.
They Graced The Willows : Steve Gibson
May 19, 2010 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
The second in our series of Reds’ legends who have made their time special at The Willows. To celebrate the sands of time running out at our famous old stadium, our attention switches to the late Eighties and one of the Reds’ most popular Australian imports ever, and recent returnee to Weaste for a farewell visit – Steve Gibson.
Steve Gibson
Probably one of the most popular players to have graced The Willows in recent times was full-back Steve Gibson.
When he first came to Salford from Brisbane Souths in August 1987 he was virtually an unknown quantity but within a short space of time he became one of the mainstays of the Reds’ line-up.
When full-back Garry Jack returned Down Under, “Gibbo” really came into his own and proved to be a more than useful acquisition.
He became firmly entrenched at full-back and during the 1987-1988 season he won several Man of the Match awards and also the sponsors Trenchman Trophy awarded for the best performer in home fixtures.
He helped the Reds reach the semi-final of the Challenge Cup that same season but Wigan proved to be too strong on the day and they ran out 34-4 winners.
Steve’s level of fitness and commitment were such that he rarely missed a game, although when Salford met Wigan in the 1988 Lancashire Cup Final at St Helens, he had to sit it out through suspension after being sent off a week earlier in a League match against Oldham at The Willows.
His attacking prowess enabled him to score many exciting long-range tries and in his first season at the club he was top try scorer with a total of 13, but his best season was 1990-91 when he notched a total of 17 tries.
He was not particularly fast but he possessed a great hand-off and his unusual style of play made him awkward to tackle.
Steve played a big part in the Reds dual successes of both the Second Division Championship and Premiership in 1990-91 and so assisted the Reds back into the top flight.
After that when the club fought hard to retain its First Division status, “Gibbo” played his part in both attack and defence. In 1991-92 he helped Salford reach the semi-final of the Regal Trophy but we went down to a 22-15 defeat at the hands of Leeds.
He suffered a loss of form in the 1992-93 campaign which restricted him to 15 appearances but he was always determined to fight for his place.
However, the return of Garry to The Willows meant that his chances were even slimmer. Consequently he moved to Rochdale Hornets as Player/ Coach in October 1993 after scoring 73 tries in 169 appearances for Salford.
He hardly missed a match for the Hornets until May 1996 when Shane Tupaea took over as coach. Steve then played for Swinton and Leigh before his career came to an end.
They Graced The Willows : Jack Gore
May 17, 2010 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
In the first of a new series to celebrate our famous old Stadium, we look back at some of the great names and characters of rugby league who have turned out in the famous red shirt here at The Willows. Here we head back to the 1920s and the time of a famous Welsh forward..
Jack Gore
John Henry Gore was born at Blaina on 16 June 1899 and his first experience of rugby came at Blaina Central School, where he captained the side at the age of 13.
He played for local side Blaina when he left school and also assisted Abertillery, Ebbw Vale and Redegar when his own team had no game. He represented Monmouthshire on several occasions and quickly caught the eye of the Welsh RU selectors.
Twice chosen as reserve in the games against England and Scotland he eventually gained the first of his four caps against Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park on March 8 1924.
He later played in the Internationals against France, NZ and England, his last cap being being at Twickenham on January 17 1925.
Exactly a fortnight later he was making his debut for Salford having moved North for a £450 fee. His inaugural game for Salford saw him at loose forward in a fixture at St Helens on January 31 1925.
He was installed as captain at the start of the 1925-26 season but it was a hard slog for the Reds who won 11 matches out of the 34 fixtures, leaving them in 21st position at the end of the campaign.
Jack was the backbone of the side though and he rarely missed a game.
During the 1926-27 season he led the side against the NZ Tourists and was a try scorer in the 18 points to 10 defeat. A month later he was selected for Wales against the NZ Tourists at Pontypridd and he capped a fine performances by scoring two tries in the Welsh side’s tremendous 34-8 victory, played out in front of 18000 rapturous fans.
That display earned him a call up for GB against the NZ side in the 3rd Test at Leeds and he helped them gain a 32-17 success.
In April 1927 he was in the Welsh team that lost to England b y11 points to 8 at The Cliff and at the end of that month he and Salford team mate Llew Williams were selected for Monmouthshire against Glamorgan.
In 1927-28 he played for the combined Glamorgan . Monmouthshire side twice and also was a try scorer for the Welsh side that lost to England by 20 points to 12.
Salford continued to struggle though and Jack Gore asked to be placed on the transfer list.
After playing 125 games for Salford he returned to South Wales during the 1928 close-season and later became a licensee.
During his playing career the South Wales News referred to him as one of the greatest forwards Wales had ever produced.
A great compliment indeed.
Leuluai’s Super 7 Dream Team
February 17, 2009 by Paul Mc · 2 Comments
The first of a new regular feature where we put a Reds’ star in charge of his own 7-a-side Dream Team. The only rule being they have to have played either with or against the players they choose. You’d think it would be simple but with a wealth of world class talent to choose from it’s a longer process than you’d think!
First in the hot seat hoping to avoid a bit of a Scolari is Big Phil Leuluai who could be accused of taking this a little too seriously. Phil, don your sheepskin jacket now, your time has come!
Manager: Phil Leuluai
We should point out at this stage we only asked for seven players but Phil insisted he wanted to name his substitutes as well because he thought he was a bit light up front and needed some more go-forward so here goes!
Adam Blair
James Graham
Gareth Ellis
The Dream Team Super 7s is published in every reds’ Matchday Magazine, available on gamedays for just £2.50
Swain’s World – Exclusive Luke Swain Interview
December 10, 2008 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Following on from yesterday’s interview with Mark Henry we exclusively speak with the Reds other import-to-be, former Gold Coast Titan Luke Swain who is set to land shortly after Christmas.
Luke will join former North Queensland Cowboys Ray Cashmere and Mark Henry and South Sydney’s Jeremy Smith in heading to these shores for 2009 and beyond and with the Reds being joined by Celtic Crusaders as the new boys in Super League but he is no stranger to playing Super League opposition.
“Playing in the world club challenge for Penrith against Bradford in 2004 gave me a good indication of just how strong the Super League is as they gave us a bit of a hiding! Plus we get two games a week over here on the TV so I’ve had a bit of a chance to check out the competition before I arrive.” Luke told us.
“ I’m just really excited about the challenge of proving myself in another competition. Salford have given me the opportunity to do that so I hope I can repay them by giving my best performance each week for the club and the fans.” he continued.
Ray also has a little experience playing alongside some of the current Reds’ stars and fans will be hoping it is this familiarity that will lead to him settling in quickly.
“I’ve played with both Craig Stapleton and John Wilshere before at Penrith. I’ve been keeping up with how they’re going over there and it’s good to hear of all the success the two of them are having. I’ve played against big Ray Cashmere and it’s good to know he’s on my side now and I don’t have to tackle him any more.”
With Cashmere getting rave reviews from the lads who have played both with and against him it’s clear that big Ray could make quite an impact in the engage Super League next season but it will be the performance of the rest of the pack that could shape the outcome of the Reds’ season and Shaun McRae will see Luke as a key member of his forward six.
“I prefer loose-forward or lock (depending on where you are from!) and I’m excited about playing Super League as it means I’ll be coming up against quality opposition week in and week out. Playing with and against players I’ve never lined up with before will have me out of my comfort zone and its a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
Like all Aussies upping sticks and heading into a UK winter Luke is aware that temperature is going to play a factor in his game but the Jacksonville training camp should help to offset it a little:-
“Coming from an Australian summer to an English winter should be interesting. I don’t know how many pairs of my board shorts I’ll have to pack but I’m definitely looking forward to meeting up with all the boys, I’ve never been on a training camp of this magnitude before, it might be a standard thing for Super League teams but I’m really looking forward to it!
“Moving countries is going to be an experience and my beautiful fiancée Alisha and I have a 9-month old son Lachlan. We are definitely excited about the move. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and we’re looking forward to experiencing living in a new country and meeting new people.”
Luke Swain was speaking exclusively to Paul McNally
Reds fans are reminded that there are only a few days remaining to buy your 2009 Season Ticket at the discounted price and qualify for their promotional shirt. Don’t Miss Out!
Mark Henry – Exclusive Interview
December 9, 2008 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
As it’s the season to be jolly we’ve tracked down the remaining two of the Reds’ new overseas stars for 2009 before they arrive on these shores, sat them down and giving them a good grilling about what they hope to achieve at The Willows next season and beyond.
First it’s the turn of ex-North Queensland Cowboy Mark Henry who is speaking exclusively to Paul McNally ahead of his arrival in the UK next month. Tomorrow we’ll be speaking to Gold Coast Titans’ Luke Swain to complete the duo.
Arriving in the UK from Australia in early January from the balmy heat of an Australian summer is always going to be a shock to the system, but that’s exactly what former North Queensland Cowboys star Mark Henry and his new bride intend to do when they arrive at Manchester Airport shortly after getting married. Fortunately they are more than ready to throw themselves into the swing of things.
“It’s pretty hectic at the moment but I’m lucky, my fiance Jade is very organised so we are on top of it. The wedding is a good opportunity to say goodbye to friends over in Australia before we start our new adventure over in the UK. Both Jade and I are very excited about travelling overseas as we have not been before. My two sisters have both had the opportunity and both loved it so yeah I’m very much looking forward to it.” Mark enthuses.
I still think I have not played my best game yet and Salford gives me that opportunity. As a team you want to get your fans behind you as much as possible by bringing plenty of intensity to the game
With the disappointment most British RL fans felt at the recent performances of the National team and the standard of Super League itself taking a bit of a battering in the Aussie media it might be easy to underestimate the size of the task ahead for any new imported player, but Mark is aware of the skill factor in the European competition already.
“I watch it when I get an opportunity to. Fox sports plays a couple of games each week over here and I have a few former team mates (Rod Jensen, Dave Faiumu and Matt Sing) playing in the Super League so it is good to watch and see how they are going. From what I have gathered it appears to be quite a fast paced game so I will have to make sure I’m physically prepared for that this season.”
With that in mind it has already been reported that Mark had to undergo some surgery after his last NRL campaign, but he was quick to put to rest any scare stories about the severity of the work.
“I had groin and shoulder surgery straight after the end of the season. I finished the season playing quite well so it was not something that prevented me from playing. However the medical staff recommended I have it performed and assured me that I would be physically stronger as a result. Both were minor operations involving a small piece of bone to be shaved off my shoulder and a hernia repair to assist my groin. The rehab coming along ahead of schedule and I will be 100% when I arrive in Salford.”
Mark’s transition to life at Salford will doubtless be eased as he will be joining former Cowboys’ team-mate Ray Cashmere, a player who made a tremendous impact in the NRL last term,
“Razor is a great man to have in a football club. Firstly I think he was one of our best this year with the Cowboys and a player that the NRL was talking about possibly playing Origin football. As a player he is obviously big and strong with a good offload and gives 100% at all times whether at training or on the field. As a person Ray is never short of providing a laugh with his dry sense of humour. I think he is a big asset to the club and a person that as people get to know him will enjoy being around.
“I haven’t met any of the other guys but I have watched players like Luke Swain, Willie Talau and John Wilshere play to name a few but not met them personally. Im looking forward to meeting all the players and their different personalities. I did however have the opportunity to meet Shaun McRae briefly in Townsville where he gave me a good picture of what to expect.
“The Reds obviously have exciting plans with the new stadium and it’s something for the club and the people of the Salford community to really look forward to. I’d love the opportunity to play there. I really want to get the best out of myself at Salford. One thing that playing in the NRL has taught me is that you have to back up with good performances week after week. I still think I have not played my best game yet and Salford gives me that opportunity. As a team you want to get your fans behind you as much as possible by bringing plenty of intensity to the game”
Mark Henry was talking to Paul McNally. Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Luke Swain on Wednesday
Reds fans are reminded that there are only a few days remaining to buy your 2009 Season Ticket at the discounted price and qualify for their promotional shirt. Don’t Miss Out!
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
Into The West – Interview with Adam Thomas – Part 2
May 20, 2008 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Adam Thomas, Managing Director of Red City Developments, sits down with Steve McNally in part two of our interview to talk stadiums, and more specifically, the Reds magnificent new home at the Western gateway into Salford.
Sounds fantastic doesn’t it? And the experience before you get to your seat and at half time will be just as impressive. What can sponsors and supporters expect their match day experience to be like outside of watching the actual game?
“I used the word spectacular earlier. Sensational is another appropriate word. Supporters will experience a stadium designed, unlike most, to welcome them in rather than make them feel like we are trying to keep them out.
From the moment they arrive to the moment they leave their experience will be warm, friendly and breathtaking.
Along with the best seated views in the country the City of Salford Stadium will also be home to the first deliberately built standing section in the UK since the Taylor Report changed the landscape of sport. Other new stadia have standing sections, but they are just basically seated areas where the seats have been removed and crush barriers installed. Ours will be very different, and is there in response to the fans request for such a section. We aim to please.
Away from the pitch the wide, sweeping concourses will ensure comfort and convenience for all in attendance and we will ensure that everyone’s needs are satisfied in terms of food, drink and merchandising in an efficient and courteous manner.
Even the car parking will utilise intelligent technology, with cutting edge systems such as advanced number plate recognition in use to allow automatic entry for those cars that meet the necessary criteria.
As far as sponsors are concerned this will be a dream stadium in which to entertain their clients. We intend to provide the finest banqueting in any stadium in the country. This will be facilitated by the full-time hotel staff, who will provide a genuinely five star service on match day. Sponsors and corporate guests will have the choice of one of 19 fantastically high spec executive boxes, or to be entertained in the main banqueting hall – a huge venue with the ability to feed and entertain 1000 guests. I know the Rugby Club are already inviting businesses to register their interest for boxes, and if you think you might want one, my advice is to put your name down now as I am quite sure they will be very much over subscribed as the opening draws nearer.
The boxes have moveable walls and can accommodate anything from 8 to 30 people in privacy, and each will have its own dedicated bar. Companies will be able to invite guests to stay the night in one of the finest hotels in the city, leaving them free to concentrate on enjoying themselves without worrying how to get home after the match.
People really are going to be blown away – we have had ten years to think about every little detail, and this has been time well spent.”
Knowing all that, we can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have to listen to people mock, scoff and take cheap shots at the plans – if we never hear the word portacabin again it will probably be too soon. Another popular myth is that the stadium will not be built if the Reds aren’t granted a licence. It’s irritating enough for us, but when you are as close to the project as Adam is, surely the temptation to strike back must be almost overwhelming?
“Not at all. In fact, we have been deliberately quiet and with good reason. The Stadium itself will do all the talking that needs to be done. One thing I can say for certain is that the licencing process has no effect on what we are doing on site at Barton – licencing is a matter for the RFL, but both the club and Red City are confident that the people that matter at the RFL are fully aware of exactly what is going to happen over the next 18 months, that they understand the importance of the development to the sport not just to the club, and the fact that it is being built now, come what may and will be ready in 2010.
Very shortly now the final CGIs (computer generated images) based on the completed design should be ready, along with the fly through of the facility and we will be able to show people exactly what they will be getting in 2010. We will make a major presentation of them just as soon as we can, and it will be abundantly clear to everyone that this is a stadium that belongs nowhere else other than a premier competition.”
So then, fast forward to 2010 – what will that be like? Any predictions?
“Believe me when I say I’m not a betting man, but I would be willing to bet that in 2010 Salford City Reds will be averaging at least 14,000 throughout the first year, and there will be occasions when the stadium is sold out and people are locked outside. The attraction of this magnificent venue along with the strength of the club off the field will guarantee that.
I know fans of other clubs are sceptical of talk like that, but they aren’t privy to the market research that has been done. And I’m not talking about us stopping people and asking people on the street if they fancy going – this research was carried out independently by the very best in the field, and if anything their predictions usually err on the side of caution. But of course we can’t do anything about people being sceptical – all we can say is wait and see.
People were equally sceptical of Hull and Warrington when they moved with average crowds lower than Salford’s are this year. Look how that turned out. It’s even more relevant when you realise the Reds are achieving those crowd numbers in NL1 while Warrington and Hull were in Super League.
The potential for the Salford club really is staggering going forward. They will have the best stadium in the game in an unbelievably attractive location, already have fantastic strength in the back room department and if you throw some success on the pitch in to the mix I’m convinced people will be saying the stadium is not big enough rather than questioning whether 20,000 capacity is over reaching.”
And beyond that? What does the future hold for the man currently holding the keys to the City of Salford Stadium?
“Short term, my role is about to change immensely, from one of planning to one of holding contractors to task. I’m looking forward to that a great deal.
Longer term? It’s impossible to think beyond 2010 at this point. My hope is that once my work here is done I can move on to working more with the government on the goal of improving sporting facilities throughout the country and across all sports. It is one of my great passions, and I would love to be a part of the cure to what I think of as the English disease – the desire for sporting success without the willingness to put in either the money or effort that is required to achieve it.”
So no more stadiums then? Surely as ‘the man who can’ in terms of delivering such a magnificent venue he won’t be short of offers?
“No, I seriously doubt it at this point. The City of Salford Stadium has been my life for the last ten years, and I’m not sure I could put my family through it again. I think I am okay to admit that I have already turned down eight offers to build stadiums for other clubs, including two that are currently in Super League, but shall remain nameless!
Even though it’s been easily the biggest challenge of my life I have enjoyed almost every minute of it. The main reason I can’t imagine moving on to work on another stadium project is that I honestly don’t believe I could build a better stadium than the City of Salford Stadium. After all, once Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel I don’t think he ever worked on another roof, did he?
It will be interesting to see what happens to the next major stadium build following on from ours – each new stadium usually has to be better than the last to make an impression.
I know I am biased, but I really do think it will be difficult to beat.
I look forward to seeing someone try.”
So there you have it. The City of Salford Stadium in the words of the man responsible for building it.
Can I get an Amen?
STADIUM TIMELINE
November 2006
Reds receive go-ahead from planning inspector. Work begins on satisfying planning conditions, along with detailed stadium design
December 2007
Drivers Jonas appointed Project Managers, charged with delivering the build. Also appointed are structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers, an ecologist, archaeologist and lead architects AFL, among other key appointments
January 2008
Site clearing and enabling works begin
June 2008
Final stage remediation of the site in preparation to begin construction
September 2008
Work scheduled to begin on the construction of the City of Salford Stadium
June 2009
New playing pitch laid and seeded
Early 2010
Stadium commissioned for play. Salford City Reds begin playing at their new home.
Second Quarter 2010
Second phase of the development completed. Retail development opens
Chairman’s Christmas Letter
December 24, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Dear all,
I’d like to begin my last letter of the year with a tremendous thank you for all of your support in 2007. With the passing of the New Year we are all set to leave behind the disappointments of last season and look forward to the future of Salford Rugby Club.
The speed in which our supporters have put our disappointment behind them is fantastic. I can proudly say that we have sold more season tickets pre-Christmas than ever before, and by some margin.
The staff in the offices have all said how you, the supporters, can’t wait for the season to get started and we are all hoping that Shaun McRae and his players can give us a year to remember. I would personally like to thank each and every one of you who have backed us for this season in the National League by buying a season ticket. It is with the aid of these much needed funds that any rugby club must survive throughout the off-season. So to the fans who have been with us for years and those who have purchased a season ticket for the first time, thank you.
I also firmly believe that our attendance in this division will be of vital importance to our franchise bid for 2009. We must show everybody that giving us a Super league license is not only the right decision but the best decision. I urge each and every one of you to bring as many people as you can with you to our games. Your continued support has never been more valuable to us and we need your help and assistance throughout the coming months on the terraces.
2008 will also be a landmark year for us as work will begin on our new stadium imminently. We have all had to wait patiently for this day to come but now it is almost upon us it is an exciting time indeed. We hope to play our first game there in 2010 and I’m sure when that day arrives all the waiting will have been worth it as the team proudly run out onto the new playing surface at Barton.
All that remains is for me to wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year.
Yours,
John A Wilkinson, OBE,
Chairman, Salford City Reds
Open Letter to All Reds Fans
September 2, 2007 by Paul Mc · Comments Off
Those of you that know me will already know that words cannot express the disappointment we all feel at the outcome of this Super League season. Our hopes before the big kick off were high and we all feel let down by what happened during a traumatic season.
With hindsight you could probably say it was never going to be our year from the moment we lost Karl Fitzpatrick in pre-season with a serious injury but injuries cannot be an excuse, but we can and must come back from the disappointments of 2007 and continue to look forward to the bright new future that faces this club.
Now, more than ever, Salford City Reds needs your support. Not just as a rugby club with over 100 years of rich history, but as part of our community and indeed an integral part of our city.
The city of Salford is changing and it is vital we remain a force that its citizens, especially our families and our children can unite behind, so I urge each and every one of you to put behind the stark disappointments of this year and join with me in partnership to focus on the work that is ahead of us all.
2007 may not have been what we all expected but we have brought in a fantastic coach with the pedigree of winning the Super League on his CV. We have already begun to sign well for the next campaign and we will be rightly confident of a speedy return to Super League.
In March of next year we must apply for our franchise in Super League along with all other clubs and we are confident with the work we have done behind the scenes that this will be granted next June.
I will be in touch with you within the next two weeks to give you information with respect to our strategy for the coming months, with which your assistance will be essential to the future of our club.
We are already looking forward to great times ahead and I am certain that we can set our city alight once more with our colours before we return to the top flight of our great game.
Yours in sport,
John A Wilkinson, OBE,
Chairman
Salford City Reds
