9 – Malcolm Alker

Click to read about Bill McLaughlin HERE

D.O.B. 04/11/1978

Spotlight

2009 will see Malc in his 13th season at The Willows since making his senior debut at Sheffield Eagles on 25 August 1997.

A born leader, his career steadily blossomed and the former Wigan St Patrick’s ARL player was soon to become a regular first teamer. In fact he was made captain for the fixture against Halifax on 29 September 1998, thus becoming the youngest Club captain since Paul Groves.

It was in 1999 that his career really took off though and he made 27 appearances that term.

In 2002 he was called up by Lancashire and he since played for England against France and New Zealand in 2005.

Malc has won countless club awards for his consistent performances on the domestic scene and he has played in every game in a season on no less than five occasions – a marvellous tribute to his fitness.

In 2003, he notched a total of 22 tries for the season – a new club record for a hooker. That same season he scored four tries in one game against Swinton – another Salford record for a hooker in a match.

Malc prides himself on his tackling though and he does not miss many.
In 2001 he became the first Super League player to complete 1000 tackles in a season but was pipped for the World Record only 24 hours earlier by Richard Swain (Melbourne Storm).

In 2006, Malc celebrated another record, this time for his well-deserved Testimonial at The Willows.

Probably his most disappointing season was last term when the Reds were relegated from Super League. Not only that but Malc actually missed nine games through injury – the same total as his previous eight seasons put together.

Now Malc has put that behind him and is, as usual, leading by example – something the Salford fans have always respected.

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