Huge losses, player exodus and fans' 'optimism drained' - inside Salford's crisis
A season of financial uncertainty and big defeats
Just over a month after the end of the 2024 campaign, the true pressures of Salford's financial situation began to surface.The club called a meeting of all Super League clubs in November to request an advance payment of money they were set to receive during this season to cover holes in their finances.Those gaps were caused, the club said, by uncertainty over the ownership of their Salford Community Stadium home, and a few days later they were granted advanced funds. Their plight continued into the new year and overshadowed their preparations for the 2025 season, with the Rugby Football League (RFL) ordering them to sell players shortly before a takeover by a consortium led by businessman Dario Berta was agreed on the eve of the season.Salford's campaign got off to the worst possible start as they fielded mostly reserve players in a record-breaking 15-try 82-0 defeat at St Helens, with the RFL later putting their team selection under investigation.A sustainability cap imposed by the RFL at the beginning of the season because of financial uncertainty at the club was lifted but then applied again in March as monetary issues continued to bite despite the takeover going through.Things have continued to get worse as senior players have gradually left the club, resulting in a patchwork team filled with loanees suffering a demoralising 80-6 loss to Hull FC on Sunday.In a statement issued late on Monday evening, the Red Devils' owners said the club would not close and that bridge funding would be "available and settled" by the end of August, adding that they remained "fully committed" to supporting the club sustainably.BBC Sport has contacted Salford Red Devils for comment.
Salford's lengthy list of exits
Of the 17-man squad that were selected for Salford's Super League play-off defeat by Leigh Leopards at the end of last season, just five remain.Talismanic half-back Marc Sneyd's move to Warrington Wolves was the first in a lengthy list of departures which began in March.Prop Brad Singleton was next, joining fellow strugglers Castleford Tigers, while Tim Lafai and Kallum Watkins followed.Joe Bullock left on a loan move to Barrow Raiders, half-back Chris Atkin joined Singleton at Castleford, while Nene Macdonald, who was at the core of Salford's impressive 2024 side, left to take unpaid leave in June.Sam Stone moved to Warrington on loan shortly after being accused of "downing tools" by Rowley, who said he was unaware of rumours the players would eventually go on strike.The exodus continued last week as Chris Hankinson signed for Leeds, Chris Hill joined Bradford Bulls, while Jack Ormondroyd and hometown hero Ryan Brierley left for Oldham.In the end, five debutants turned out for Salford against Hull FC, with squad numbers going up to 63, and some players only meeting their team-mates on the coach journey to the stadium."It's felt like a line in the sand moment," Rowley told BBC Sport shortly before kick-off."Losing Ryan and Jack in particular, they were the last two of the originals so to speak."It's now officially not my team. It's been mental to be honest. I met some players on the bus, that's how it's been."
Brierley's loss was a major blow but his decision, he said, was motivated by the worsening situation Salford are in."I never wanted to leave, that wasn't my intention," Brierley told BBC Radio Manchester. "I was pretty adamant I would finish my career there. "I didn't want to be part of the demise. I never wanted to be at fault for it. I know it never would have been that way, but my gut instinct made me think that Salford would be the beneficiary of me going to Oldham."I've not felt like it's been the Salford I fell in love with. It's been ripped out in one way or another with the team and morale."Brierley said the tipping point for him was their 74-12 defeat by Hull KR in July."I just feel so sorry for the people still there - and Paul Rowley in particular - who, more than anyone, doesn't deserve this," he added."But for me and couple of others, we took it to the final depths of how much we could hold on for and, ultimately, the deterioration took a turn for me [against Hull KR]."I'm glad I could help the club in the short term fix the issues that arose to get the [Hull FC] game to go ahead."
'My optimism is now drained' - what the fans think
The fact that Salford have even been able to compete so far into the season is in no small part down to their reserve squad, with several young players stepping up to first-team action through necessity rather than ability.And that reliance on youth has only increased with the sustainability cap continuing to affect team selection, in addition to players departing."Six months ago I was so optimistic," Shirley Bradshaw, chair of the supporters' trust, told BBC Radio Manchester."My optimism has been drained now to the point where I've never felt so depressed going to a game."These lads that are playing for us and giving us their all, we know what's expected of all of them and we know there's no way they're going to be able to go up against all these seasoned Super League players, as people can see by the scores that have been turning out. "We can't do anything more but applaud these lads for what they're doing, even though they shouldn't be there for this."Little is known about the club's new owners and they have not spoken to the media since their arrival earlier this season.As things stand, it is unclear whether Salford will be able to return to Super League in 2026 and how their current situation will impact on their IMG grading for next season.In June, a winding-up petition filed against the club was adjourned until September amid reports that £500,000 was owed to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Salford's situation comes at the same time as football clubs Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday go through stark financial problems of their own under the shadow of the Football Governance Bill being passed into law.Bradshaw has written to culture secretary Lisa Nandy and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle - a rugby league fan - about the club's plight."We had a fabulous team and week-by-week we've lost all these players, which is the nucleus of the first team," Bradshaw said."These kids are coming in and they're doing a fantastic job... they're putting their bodies on the line for the club."And I don't think they're getting any respect from these owners and it needs to change."Meanwhile, a supporters' group - The 1873 - has called out the club's owners, external, and is planning a "peaceful protest march" to the ground before Salford's fixture with Wakefield Trinity on 17 August.
'The owners are working hard' - Inu
Assistant coach and former player Krisnan Inu said that criticism of the club - including the roles of consortium members Saia Kailahi and Curtiz Brown - from fans and the media has had a negative effect.In his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Inu said that had the consortium not come in, the club "would have fallen apart a long time ago"."Obviously, there's a lot of frustration and people are in different positions, but at the same time when the media keep throwing punches at our club, it hurts everyone and not just the players," Inu told BBC Radio Manchester."They're two humans as well. Everyone keeps naming them and tries to put their heads on sticks. I see them working hard but, honestly, the fans don't see it."What I see that they're trying to do for the club is massive, and patience might be the word, but at the same time there is a lot of frustration and when people start talking about people getting paid late, we're all part of that and I'm no different."Asked about Sunday's fan protest, Inu added that there could be positive news between now and kick-off."As a staff member and assistant coach I feel for them. But at the same time there are some answers that need to be presented to them which I think will be happening before Sunday, so I can't say if the protest is right or wrong."
Rowley 'crumbling like everyone else'
Salford were planning for the long-term future before this season began, having tied down Rowley to a director of rugby role from 2026 with the intention of appointing Kurt Haggerty as head coach.However, the current head coach is more concerned about the impact the club's difficulties are having on non-playing staff.BBC Sport learned that last Sunday's fixture against Hull FC had been in doubt as the club owed money for coach travel and to a launderette which had washed their kit.Prior to the game, Rowley said that he was under the impression that the RFL had paid both bills in order to get the game on."I know everyone wants to drag us through until the end of the year, and they'll bend and break every rule to allow us to do that, but it's what happens after that. That's what's my concern [is] for all the staff," he told BBC Sport."They know that they will be the forgotten people and that concerns me."It's a persona when I'm at work and I'm in front of people - I've got to have a positive attitude and a body language that says that we want to win. "I coach to win, whatever it looks like and whoever I'm coaching. I'm crumbling like everybody else."As for the owners, Rowley said that he does speak to them but he is unclear on what the future holds."I have an amount of dialogue with them and they remain positive and on task," he added. "That gives me some hope."I don't think they would ever be able to have true empathy about what we're truly going through as a sporting organisation. They're business people and we're sportsmen."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
a few seconds ago
- The Guardian
Drop in new properties for rent is steepest since Covid, says Rics
The flow of new rental properties coming on to the market has fallen at the fastest rate since the first Covid lockdown five years ago, according to research by Britain's property surveyors. Although the demand for properties is steady, there are fewer new rentals from landlords coming available, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) found. The July 2025 Rics Residential Market Survey showed a 'firmly negative trend' in landlords making their properties available for rent, the weakest reading since April 2020. With the lack of fresh supply in the pipeline, rental prices are expected to rise over the next three months, according to the report, which takes a monthly 'sentiment survey' of chartered surveyors. The expected rise comes after another report this week found the average private rents in Great Britain had fallen marginally for the first time in five years. The estate agent Hamptons said lower mortgage rates had helped to take some heat out of the market and that the average rent on a newly let property fell by 0.2% in July compared with a year earlier. The Rics report also said new inquiries from homebuyers had fallen in July, suggesting a softening in demand compared with earlier in the summer. In June, most of those surveyed said there had been a rise in fresh inquiries. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at Rics, said the flatter tone of the latest report showed the market was facing challenges. Last week, the Bank of England voted for a fifth cut in interest rates in a year, reducing the cost of borrowing to 4% amid concerns about the strength of the UK economy. 'Although interest rates were lowered at the latest Bank of England meeting, the split vote has raised doubts about both the timing and extent of further reductions,' Rubinsohn said. 'Meanwhile, uncertainty about the potential contents of the chancellor's autumn budget is also raising some concerns. Against this backdrop, respondents continue to report that the market remains particularly price sensitive at the present time.' The estate agent Knight Frank said the renters' rights bill, which is due to come into force next year and is aimed at reforming the sector, has meant landlords were now increasingly looking to sell. '[Shrinking supply] is one unintended consequence of the forthcoming renters' rights bill, which could make it more onerous to regain possession of a property and raises the risk of void periods,' said Tom Bill, head of residential research. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown, said the Rics survey showed 'the era of runaway rents isn't over yet' as more people were now chasing fewer homes. One of its recent surveys found that the average renting household had just £62 left at the end of the month.
Reuters
a few seconds ago
- Reuters
Rugby Jordan warns All Blacks must match Argentina intensity
Aug 14 (Reuters) - New Zealand fullback Will Jordan says the All Blacks must be ready to match Argentina's physicality and passion when the sides meet on Saturday in the opening round of the Rugby Championship in Cordoba. The All Blacks are looking to avoid a fourth Rugby Championship loss to the Pumas in five years, having dropped home matches in 2022 and 2024 following a defeat in Australia in 2020. Try-scoring machine Jordan said the All Blacks squad had built strong combinations in camp but would need to start fast to quell Argentina's early momentum. "We know the first 20 (minutes) is going to be important,' Jordan told reporters in Cordoba. 'They've come hard at our breakdown in the past and they'll be confident again. If they play their best, they'll back themselves to beat us.' Jordan highlighted Argentina's aerial threat as a key area of concern, while praising their high-tempo style and classy backline which will be strengthened by the return of players who missed their England series defeat. "They've got a huge amount of energy, extremely skillful players across the backs, and real physicality up front,' he said. The 27-year-old heads into the Cordoba opener in typically prolific form, having scored four tries in the 3-0 series whitewash of France in July. That brought his career try tally to 42, an amazing strike-rate from 44 tests. He will likely be joined by wingers Sevu Reece and Rieko Ioane in a fast and powerful starting back three. The All Blacks warmed up for Argentina's passionate crowds by watching a local soccer game between Boca Juniors and Racing Club at Boca's iconic home stadium La Bombonera (The "Chocolate Box") in Buenos Aires. Jordan found the fans' singing and chanting throughout an eye-opener and hoped for similar against the Pumas. "It's my first time ever in Argentina, and first time at a soccer match. So it's pretty impressive (and) cool to experience. I'm sure there will be something similar come Saturday."
The Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Sun
Santander makes huge change to 11 bank accounts – thousands will be worse off
SANTANDER has made a huge change to almost a dozen accounts this week in a blow to thousands of savers. The high street giant cut the interest rates on 11 of its savings accounts on August 11. 1 It comes after the Bank of England voted to lower its base rate from 4.5% to 4.25% in May. The decision came as a relief to millions of homeowners on variable rate mortgages, which rise and fall in line with the base rate. But the move often means smaller returns for savers, as when the base rate falls, interest rates on savings often do too. As a result, Santander has cut the interest rates on almost a dozen accounts this week. Among the accounts affected are the Easy Access Saver (Issue 26 and 27), which have seen their interest rates drop from 1.3% to 1.2%. If you had paid £2,000 into this account previously you would have £26 after one year. But now the rate has dropped to 1.2% you will earn £24 - a difference of £2. Meanwhile, several Isa accounts have also had their rates slashed. Among them is the Easy Access Isa (Issue 22 and 23) which has also seen its rate fall from 1.3% to 1.2%. The interest rate on the Help to Buy Isa will also be cut from 2.45% to 2.35%. The change means the amount of interest you would earn on a £2,000 deposit after one year would fall from £49 to £47. Children's accounts have also been hit by the interest rate changes. The rate on a Junior Isa has been cut from 2.8% to 2.7%. Plus, the interest rate on a Flexible Saver for Kids is now 1.95%, down from 2.05%. What types of savings accounts are available? THERE are four types of savings accounts: fixed, notice, easy access, and regular savers. Separately, there are ISAs, or individual savings accounts, which allow individuals to save up to £20,000 a year tax-free. But we've rounded up the main types of conventional savings accounts below. FIXED-RATE A fixed-rate savings account or fixed-rate bond offers some of the highest interest rates but comes at the cost of being unable to withdraw your cash within the agreed term. This means that your money is locked in, so even if interest rates increase you are unable to move your money and switch to a better account. Some providers give the option to withdraw, but it comes with a hefty fee. NOTICE Notice accounts offer slightly lower rates in exchange for more flexibility when accessing your cash. These accounts don't lock your cash away for as long as a typical fixed bond account. You'll need to give advance notice to your bank - up to 180 days in some cases - before you can make a withdrawal or you'll lose the interest. EASY-ACCESS An easy-access account does what it says on the tin and usually allows unlimited cash withdrawals. These accounts tend to offer lower returns, but they are a good option if you want the freedom to move your money without being charged a penalty fee. REGULAR SAVER These accounts pay some of the best returns as long as you pay in a set amount each month. You'll usually need to hold a current account with providers to access the best rates. However, if you have a lot of money to save, these accounts often come with monthly deposit limits. The interest rate on an Inheritance Isa has been slashed from 2.85% to 2.7% while the First Home Saver has seen the return it offers savers drop from 2.45% to 2.35%. All of these accounts have variable interest rates, which means the rate can go up or down. Savers impacted by the changes should have been contacted in June. Fortunately, the major bank still offers returns of up to 5% on its Regular Saver account. A spokesperson for the bank said: 'We are committed to delivering value for our savings customers and offer a range of competitive savings products.' On average savers have around £9,633 squirrelled away, according to online savings platform Raisin, which means it is vital to make sure you are getting the best return. Always compare different accounts to ensure you are getting the most for your money. What are the best accounts on offer? If you want to be able to access your cash at any time then you should go for an easy-access saver account. These accounts usually allow you to withdraw money when you need to without a penalty. But always read the small print as some of these accounts may only allow you to pay in a certain amount or make a set number of withdrawals or the rate will drop. The best easy-access account on offer comes from Chase and has an interest rate of 5%. This means if you saved £1,000 into this account you would earn £50 a year in interest. Meanwhile, Cahoot offers savers a return of 4.55% on savings of £1 or more. If you don't need access to your money right away then a notice account could be a great option. These accounts offer top rates but still let you access your money more easily than a fixed-rate bond. Stafford Building Society's 180 day account offers a return of 4.61% on balances of more than £5,000. Meanwhile, Plum's 95-day notice pocket pays 4.58% on £1 or more. How can I find the best savings rates? WITH your current savings rates in mind, don't waste time looking at individual banking sites to compare rates - it'll take you an eternity. Research price comparison websites such as Compare the Market, and MoneySupermarket. These will help you save you time and show you the best rates available. They also let you tailor your searches to an account type that suits you. As a benchmark, you'll want to consider any account that currently pays more interest than the current level of inflation - 3.4%. It's always wise to have some money stashed inside an easy-access savings account to ensure you have quick access to cash to deal with any emergencies like a boiler repair, for example. If you're saving for a long-term goal, then consider locking some of your savings inside a fixed bond, as these usually come with the highest savings rates. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
