Reds At Full Strength For Rovers Opener

Salford City Reds will travel to Humberside for the first game of the Engage Super League season at full strength, after a near-perfect pre-season campaign. For the first time in years the Reds have got through the warm-up period relatively unscathed and will line-up at Craven Park with a terrific mix of youth and experience with Head Coach Shaun McRae having his best selection headache since his arrival at The Willows.

“I think a few teams will be surprised about how much of a battle they will find themselves in when they come up against us”

After two confident warm-up wins against Widnes and Swinton the Reds will be looking to get off to a flying start and Captain Malcolm Alker, who has also been coaching the side believes they have prepared well.

“We’re happy with how the majority of things have gone,” said Alker. We have focused on tightening our defence, we really had to correct some things from last season and I think a few teams will be surprised about how much of a battle they will find themselves in when they come up against us.”

Reds’ fans can buy tickets on the day at Craven Park for the away section in the North Stand.

Salford City Reds 19-man squad v Hull KR:

Fitzpatrick, Broughton, McGilvray, Talau, Gibson, Ratchford, J. Smith, Cashmere, Alker, Parker, Sibbit, Adamson, Swain, M. Smith, Littler, Leuluai, Tyrer, Holdsworth, Boyle.

Fitzpatrick Cleared For Rovers’ Return

Salford City Reds full-back Karl Fitzpatrick has been cleared to play in his side’s Engage Super League opening fixture against Hull KR on Sunday after receiving no suspension after his dismissal in the pre-season friendly at Widnes Vikings. Fitzpatrick was fined £200 and found guilty of striking, but his case rested on the severity of his head injury, sustained in the high-tackle by Tommy Coyle which led to the incident.

Afterwards, Fitzpatrick did not remeber the red-card or the fight and the Disciplinary Panel, deemed that there was no suspension to serve.

Fitzpatrick Issues Apology To Vikings

Salford City Reds and Ireland full-back Karl Fitzpatrick has issued a public apology to the Widnes club and its supporters for his behavior in the wake of his red card in yesterday’s friendly against the Vikings.

Fitzpatrick was on the end of a high tackle from Tommy Coyle and reacted by hitting out, resulting in referee James Child dismissing both players from the game.

A clearly upset Fitzpatrick was then involved in an incident where he threw his sports drink into a section of excitable Widnes supporters before heading to the dressing room.

However, when approached by Reds’ staff about his behavior it became apparent that Karl had no recollection of hitting anybody or throwing anything at supporters, and was suffering from a severe blow to the head.

While certainly not looking to excuse his behavior Karl hopes that his previously exemplary record will point to the fact that he is not that kind of person, and the player himself is devastated at the turn of Sunday’s events.

He has offered to personally meet and apologise to any Vikings supporters that were affected by his actions.

Director of Football Steve Simms said: “Karl was shook up by our version of events and he has no recollection of any of it. The blow to the head has knocked the sense out of him and I guess we should be thankful he is not more seriously injured.

However, none of this condones what happened out there, for which Karl and the Club are deeply apologetic. The incident took the shine off a good performance from us and I hope the Widnes fans can accept Fitzy’s apology and understand that he is certainly not a malicious player,  and is usually exemplary in the way he conducts himself.”

Fitzpatrick will appear before the RFL’s Disciplinary Panel next Wednesday

Reds Complete Pre-Season In Rampant Fashion

Salford City Reds cruised past Widnes Vikings 0-36 in a penalty-strewn final pre-season warm-up game of 2010. Full-Back Karl Fitzpatrick was both hero and villain, scoring two tries and then being sent-off for punching in a tumultuous first 29 minutes. However, the Reds weren’t at a disadvantage as the Vikings Tommy Coyle also saw red for the initial high-tackle on the Irish full-back, leaving it an even affair in which the Salford side were clearly too strong for their Championship hosts.

Three former Vikings did the majority of the damage with Adam Sidlow and Ste Tyrer joining Fitzpatrick in crossing the line during the rout, but in truth the stop-start affair – Referee James Child blew for 27 penalties throughout – rarely seemed to get going.

Match Facts

Widnes Vikings 0-36 Salford City Reds

Salford City Reds:
Tries: Fitzpatrick (2), Tyrer (2), Gibson, Sidlow, Adamson & Broughton
Goals: Ratchford (2)
Sent-Off: Fitzpatrick (29)

McRae: Time For Us To Step Up

Salford City Reds Head Coach Shaun McRae takes his new-look side to Widnes Vikings on Sunday for their final pre-season friendly, pleased with the progress made so far.

The Reds cruised past Swinton Lions 50-12 at The Willows last weekend, but know that Sunday’s opponents will offer a little more resistance as Salford head towards their opening engage Super League fixture at Hull KR on 7 February.

It’s going to be difficult to pick a 17 because at the moment we realistically have about 22 guys who are all capable of a spot. It’s a nice problem to have and we’ll have a better idea after Sunday

“The Swinton victory was a good start to our season,” said McRae, “we did everything I thought we would for this stage of our preparation. It was a good hit-out for both sides and it sets our level nicely for this weekend. I didn’t expect the finished article and we know where we have to get to.”

McRae had the luxury of selection from most of his squad, and the two players that were missing – Mark Henry and Luke Adamson will feature this weekend. Henry had a sore knee and Adamson was recovering from a cortisone injection, but both will play against the Vikings.

McRae continued: “It’s going to be difficult to pick a 17 because at the moment we realistically have about 22 guys who are all capable of a spot. It’s a nice problem to have and we’ll have a better idea after Sunday.”

“We want to move up another rung on the ladder. Widnes are one of the more fancied sides in the Championship. They are bigger and quicker with a better skill level. It will be ideal preparation for us.”

Tickets for the game are available from the Reds’ Club Shop until 2pm Friday priced at £12 Adults and £6 Concessions or you can pay on the day.

Reds 50-12 Swinton Lions

Salford City Reds shook off the pre-season cobwebs with a nine-try demolition over derby rivals Swinton Lions. With the snow finally cleared, the Reds got down to the business of getting in some vital match practice ahead of the season opener at Hull KR at the beginning of February.

Considering the game had been in doubt up until Saturday morning, the Willows playing surface looked in immaculate condition, although certain patches were still obviously slippy, especially at the Club end.

Reds’ Head Coach Shaun McRae had promised a strong-line up and he did not disappoint, handing debuts to new boys Broughton, Tyrer, Matty Smith, Gibson, Boyle and NRL capture Daniel Holdsworth.

The game kicked off with the Reds attacking the North Stand and it only took two minutes to make the first breakthrough, with Ste  Tyrer diving over from close range for the first points of 2010, Stefan Ratchford failed to add the conversion but the Reds were off and running.

Even in the early exchanges it was clear that Swinton were struggling with the Reds physical dominance and a punishing kick-chase from Dean McGilvray almost brought the Reds’ second score just two minutes later.

Even though it was officially a friendly there were a couple of early signs of underlying niggle, the most obvious of which was when the Reds were denied a penalty after Willie Talau was seemingly flipped onto his head in a group tackle.

The Lions were struggling to get any possession at all and it told in the 8th minute when Ratchford made a half-break and fed Luke Swain who galloped away before feeding Ian Sibbit for the second try of the match. Ratchford made no mistake with his second conversion and stretched the lead to 10-0 to Salford.

It was the 12th minute of the game before Swinton got the ball in the Reds half in earnest, and in truth they almost came up with a score when hooker Phil Joesph dived for the line, only to spill the ball to the greatful Matty Smith.

The Reds’ forwards were enjoying things by now and big Ray Cashmere was beginning to make inroads into the blue line with Swinton struggling to contain the Aussie prop. Rob Parker arrived on the field as McRae’s first switch along with Ryan Boyle and Stuart Littler and three minutes later barged through some weak defence to feed Willie Talau for a welcome try after a season packed with serious injury in 2009 for the former Saints star.

Ratchford added the extras and the Reds were already safely out in front at 16-0 after 23 minutes.

The Salford faithful got their first glimpse of their big close-season signing, former Canterbury Bulldogs star, Daniel Holdsworth in the 29th minute as he replaced Ratchford and the powerful Aussie made an instant impact, ghosting past his defended and setting up a try for Karl Fitzpatrick with a nice slipped pass. Ste Tyrer picked up the kicking duties and stretched the lead to 22-0

The score concluded the points for the first half but the Reds could easily have added further tries, included one disallowed for a forward pass to Fitzpatrick by McGilvray after a glorious break by Jeremy Smith and an gift opportunity when Matty Smith dropped a poor pass from Tyrer in the 39th minute with the line gaping.

Half-time 22-0

The second half was expected to be difficult for Swinton as they tired and things looked gloomier still for the visitors after just five minutes after Fitzpatrick broke away and sent Jeremy Smith under the posts for a well worked try which Ratchford converted.

Five minutes later the Reds were over again and this time it was Ratchford himself after he danced his way through a slack defence, although this time he failed to add the two. 32-0.

With the result decided the niggle returned and Ian Sibbit took exception to former Red Ian Watson’s challenge while he was on the floor and the two exchanged more than  few heated words until they were separated. Cashmere too was displeased with a tackle and the referee was having to penalise both teams hard as the game threatened to simmer over for a few moments.

In the 62 minute the Reds fans got a close look at new winger Jodie Broughton in action as he collected the ball on his own line and raced away 60 metres before being caught. The Lions were always struggling to get back from that position and seconds later Cashmere went over for a richly deserved try to the left of the posts after smart work by Luke Swain.

Two minutes later and with Swinton by now looking slightly disinterested the Reds scored arguably the try of the game with a fantastic break by Ashley Gibson leading to a terrific Maty Smith score taking the board to 44-0.

At that point it looked as though the Reds would rack up a cricket score in the remaining minutes but it was Swinton who picked themselves up and stopped the rot with a good try from Gavin Dodd in the corner. Carl Sneyd kicked a magnificent touchline conversion to to bring the score to 44-6.

The Reds had a further try to add from Luke Swain in the 72rd minute, converted by Tyrer to bring up the half century, but Swinton completed the game’s scoring in the 77th minute with their second try, scored and converted once more by Sneyd.

All in all the Reds will have seen this as a more than useful workout and now will travel to their final pre-season clash at Widnes next weekend full of confidence for the season ahead.

Match Facts

Salford City Reds 50-12 Swinton Lions

Salford:

Tries: Tyrer, Sibbit, Talau, Fitzpatrick, J Smith, Ratchford, M Smith, Swain

Goals: Ratchford (5), Tyrer (2)

Swinton:

Tries: Dodd, Sneyd

Goals: Sneyd (2)

Referee: Phil Brooke.

Man of the Match: KArl Fitzpatrick

Teams:

Reds: Fitzpatrick, Broughton, Talau, Tyrer, McGilvray, Ratchford, M Smith, Cashmere, Alker, Leuluai, Sibbit, Sidlow, Swain

Subs: Parker, Gibson, Boyle, Spencer, Jewitt, Holdsworth, Littler, J Smith

Swinton: Hawkyard, Foxen, Dodd, Reay, Hull, Hulse, Watson, Heaton, Joseph, Wilson, Grundy, Winfield, Smith

Subs: Sneyd, Hamilton, Bamford, Johnson, Isherwood

20 – Ste Tyrer

Centre

D.O.B. 16/03/1989

Came through the Academy ranks at St Helens, making his senior debut at the age of 17 as a substitute against the Catalans Dragons in July 2006. The following season he made 14 first team appearances. However, in June 2008 he joined Widnes on loan and made his debut against Salford. He scored seven tries and kicked 36 goals in 10 appearances for the Vikings. Last season he was at Celtic Crusaders on a season long loan arrangement and he is now at Salford on a similar deal.

14 – Matty Smith

Half-Back

D.O.B. 23/07/1987

Signed on a 12 months loan deal from St Helens, the former Everton AFC apprenctice switched to Rugby League and joined St Helens where he came through the Saints Academy ranks prior to making his senior debut against Huddersfield Giants in 2006.

He joined Widnes Vikings on loan in 2008 and made his debut for them against Salford in their 20-18 victory. Last season he was on loan at Celtic Crusaders and made his debut for the Principality side against Leeds Rhinos.

Reds Set Widnes Friendly Date

Salford City Reds can announce that they will play Widnes Vikings in a pre-season friendly on 24 January at the Halton Stadium. It should be the third warm-up fixture for the Reds ahead of Super League XV with a date against Swinton Lions still trying to be squeezed into the schedule.

The Reds will take on Leigh Centurions at LSV in a fixture over the festive period ahead of their first round clash with Hull Kingston Rovers on 7 February.

Wolves At The Door For Myler

Salford City Reds can confirm that England scrum-half Richard Myler will leave the club at the end of the season to join Warrington Wolves, after the clubs agreed a transfer fee to take the 19-year-old to the Halliwell Jones.

Myler signed for the Reds in 2008 from Widnes Vikings and played a part in the successful campaign that saw Salford sweep the National League board and return to the engage Super League.

He capped his rookie season as a professional with a try-scoring debut for England against Wales at Doncaster. He then started the 2009 Super League campaign like a house on fire and was again selected for International duty by England and the new Wolves coach Tony Smith.

Warrington were able to offer the player a startling contract and transfer fee for somebody who has only played a handful of games at this level. From the Club’s point of view it made both good football and business sense to let Richie go as it is pointless to keep a player against his wishes.

After just half of the Super League season and a hat-trick for England against France Richard had become the hottest property in the game and was one of the latest young stars to benefit from the Reds policy of blooding young, English talent.

Director of Football Steve Simms said: “Warrington offered a significant amount of money for his services; however we have always maintained that we wanted to keep Richie and build our future team around him and other homegrown players. This was reflected in the substantial offer we made for Myler’s future services, however Warrington were able to offer the player a startling contract and transfer fee for somebody who has only played a handful of games at this level.

From the Club’s point of view it made both good football and business sense to let Richie go as it is pointless to keep a player against his wishes, and we can now invest the finance back into the squad to strengthen in all areas.”

Simms continued, “Salford City Reds are proud of the opportunity it gave to Richie and will continue to give young talent the chance to flourish and accelerate their development into future stars of the game, rather than finding their first team opportunities limited at other Super League clubs.

Richard is a good young player who has a great future ahead of him. We wish him all the very best for his future career and I’m sure everybody connected to Salford will thank him for a remarkable two seasons in our colours.”

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