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Salford Red Devils

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Salford Red Devils
File:SalfordNewBadge.png
Club information
Full nameSalford Red Devils Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)Red Devils
Short nameSalford Red Devils
Colours Red, White and Black
Founded1873; 151 years ago (1873)
Websitesalfordreddevils.net
Current details
Ground(s)
ChairmanAndrew Rosler
CoachIan Watson
CaptainMark Flanagan
CompetitionSuper League
2019 season3rd
Current season
Uniforms
Home colours
Records
Championships6 (1914, 1933, 1937, 1939, 1974, 1976)
Challenge Cups1 (1938)
Other top-tier honours11
Most capped498 – Maurice Richards
Highest points scorer2,907 – David Watkins

The Salford Red Devils are a professional rugby league club in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, who play in the Super League. Formed in 1873, they have won six Championships and one Challenge Cup. Their home ground since 2012 has been the AJ Bell Stadium in Barton-upon-Irwell, before which they played at the Willows in Weaste. Before 1995, the club was known simply as Salford, from 1995–98 Salford Reds and from 1999–2013 Salford City Reds.[1]

History

Early years

The club was founded in 1873 by the boys of the Cavendish Street Chapel in Hulme, Manchester. Using a local field, the boys organised matches amongst themselves before moving to nearby Moss Side.

In an attempt to recruit new members, the link with the school was broken in 1875 and the name Cavendish Football Club was adopted. They moved to a new base on the Salford side of the River Irwell at Throstle Nest Weir in Ordsall. Two seasons later, they moved again to the west side of Trafford Road to a ground known as the Mile Field where they spent the 1877–78 season. Their next home was a field north of the former Manchester Racecourse, New Barnes. Their first season there, 1878–79, was the last to be played under the Cavendish name.

Cavendish became Salford Football Club in 1879. The first match as Salford was at Dewsbury on 4 October 1879. The following week heralded the first home match at New Barnes against Widnes, on 11 October 1879. The result was a draw with one try each.

Salford struggled to attract support as there were few local players in the team. In 1881, they almost disbanded but instead merged with the Crescent Football Club. This placed Salford firmly on the rugby map, it was an exciting period and, during the remaining 15 years as members of the Rugby Football Union, seventeen Salford players were selected for Lancashire, three by the North of England and two, Harry Eagles and Tom Kent, for England. Since the 1881 merger, only 62 matches were lost from 263 played in the remaining nine years of the decade.

In 1889, Salford moved their headquarters to the nearby London and North Western Hotel on Cross Lane. Salford switched from their traditional amber, black and scarlet hoops to red jerseys. The club became the first side to win the Lancashire League in 1892–93.

In 1895, the leading Lancashire and Yorkshire clubs formed the breakaway Northern Union (later known as the Rugby Football League), Salford initially remained loyal to the Rugby Football Union but in April 1896 Salford held a special meeting to discuss joining the new organisation. Only three members opposed the motion.

Salford were admitted to the Northern Union on 2 June 1896. Their first competitive Northern Union match was on Saturday, 5 September 1896, with a visit to Widnes. The Reds, competing in the Lancashire Senior Competition, lost 10–0, and only three matches were won in the League that season. Their form improved and they finished third place in 1898–99. In 1900, Salford met old local rivals, Swinton, in the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Fallowfield, Manchester. After a keenly fought contest, the result was a 16–8 win for Swinton.

20th century

In 1900, Salford received notice to vacate New Barnes as the Manchester Ship Canal Company had purchased the land. Salford agreed a 14-year lease on 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land belonging to the Willows Estate Company, named after the abundance of willow trees in the area. Salford made their début at the Willows on 21 December 1901, beating Swinton 2–0, the official attendance reaching 16,981. James Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley to Salford in 1901.[2]

The club continued making progress in the Rugby League Challenge Cup, reaching the semi-final stages in 1902, 1903, 1906, 1907 and 1910. On three occasions, they succeeded in reaching the final, but lost 0–25 to Broughton Rangers in 1902, 0–7 to Halifax in 1903 and 0–5 to Bradford in 1906. The Championship also proved elusive, the Reds finishing runners-up for three consecutive seasons from 1901–02. In the last of those, Salford and Bradford finished level on points with Salford having the superior scoring record. Despite that, the Reds had to take part in a deciding match at Halifax, which they lost 5–0.

The Kiwis, then known as the All Golds, visited in 1907, and Salford played them on 28 December, losing 9–2 in front of a reported 9,000 spectators. Lance Todd, who was to have such an influence at the Willows 20 years later, was in the New Zealanders' side. A year later, the Australians stopped off at the Willows on 17 October. The result was a 9–9 draw.

Salford won the Rugby Football League Championship in 1913–14. The club had financial problems and was in the hands of the official receiver but somehow in the Championship final, beat Huddersfield's "Team of All Talents" 5–3 on 25 April 1914, this was the club's first major honour.

In August 1914, the Salford Football Club Company was finally wound up and a new company, Salford Football Club (1914) Limited was formed. During the First World War, Salford continued to function, but it was a struggle. Thirty-two Salford players volunteered for the war, of which seven were killed.

The 1920s was an era of survival, on and off the field, the team opening the decade with their worst ever league placing, finishing last in 1920–21. There was a dramatic change of fortune during the summer of 1928 when Lance Todd became team manager. In his first season in charge (1928–29), "Toddy's Toddlers" went from 26th to fourth place in the table with virtually the same set of players.

Gus Risman was talent-spotted by Lance Todd, when he was 17 years old. He made his début for Salford on 31 August 1929. Other legendary names included Alan Edwards, Jack Feetham, Barney Hudson, Emlyn Jenkins, Billy Watkins and Billy Williams.

Salford were considered the leading club in the game during the 1930s, winning three League Championships, five Lancashire League Championships, four Lancashire Cups and the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Salford won the Lancashire Cup for the first time in 1931 by beating Swinton 10–8 at the Cliff in front of a crowd of 26,471. Having been runners-up in the same competition in 1929 it was their first trophy for 17 years.

Salford captured the Rugby League Championship in 1933 by beating Swinton 15–5 in the final at Central Park, Wigan.

Salford were the first club to be invited to tour France who saw them as the premier side in the game. Their trip in October and November 1934 was to promote rugby league in the country. They won all six matches in spectacular fashion and were given their unofficial nickname; Les Diables Rouges (The Red Devils) by French journalists. The opening game was in Paris on Sunday 21 October, following an overnight ferry journey, having beaten Wigan 21–12 in the Lancashire Cup final the previous afternoon.

Salford turned its attention to baseball during the summer of 1935 as members of the National Baseball League. Matches were staged at the Willows. Several of Salford's players took part including Gus Risman. The team was called the Salford Reds.

In 1936, for a third consecutive year, Salford won the Lancashire Cup, defeating Wigan 5–2 at Wilderspool, Warrington.

Salford's highest attendance was set on 13 February 1937 when 26,470 turned up to watch Salford versus Warrington in the first round of the Rugby League Challenge Cup. The 1937 Australian touring team was beaten by Salford 11–8 at the Willows. Despite heavy rain that created muddy playing conditions, 12,000 attended.

Salford beat Barrow 7–4 in the final of the 1938 Challenge Cup at Wembley, the club's first-ever win. A famous photograph was taken of Gus Risman and the cup being carried shoulder-high round the stadium by his teammates with him being the only one without a cigarette in his hand.

In 1939, Salford became the first rugby league club to make successive visits to Wembley but were well beaten 20–3 by Halifax. On 3 September 1939, the Second World War began and the 1939–40 season was abandoned. A wartime Emergency League was organised but, at the beginning of January 1941, Salford decided to cease playing, due to poor gates. In November 1942, Lance Todd was killed in a car crash.

Post war

On 25 August 1945, Salford played their first match after the war against Castleford, winning 10–0 at the Willows. Hundreds of supporters gave up their summer weekends to help put the derelict looking ground back into good order.

In 1946, Salford appeared to be on their way to a third consecutive peacetime final, but Salford lost, unexpectedly, at home to Hunslet (15–8) at the quarter-final stage. In the second post-war season, 1946–47, Salford slid to twenty-second, a dramatic climb followed and the team finished seventh in 1948–49, and fifth in 1949–50. But it was a false dawn and the team fell into mid-table obscurity during the 1950s.

In 1950, Salford finished fifth on scoring difference to miss out on a top-4 play-off spot but it was their highest post-war finish until 1973–74.

Salford lost 4–8 to Warrington in a third-round Challenge Cup tie on 17 March 1951 at the Willows. The crowd was reported in the press as 28,000, the upper limit that had been set for the match. If correct it would be a ground record, but no official figure survives to confirm the exact attendance.

Salford won a four-team summer competition at Stanley Park in Blackpool 1952. Staged as part of Blackpool Corporation's Festival of Sport Fortnight, the Reds eliminated Barrow in the semi-final and then defeated Doncaster 26–7 in the final.

When Gus Risman quit as a player in 1954, he coached Salford for four years, before moving temporarily to Phoenix, Arizona (USA) to care for his nephew who had recently been involved in a dog mauling incident.[3]

Saturday 26 November 1955 saw television cameras at the Willows for the first time when the second half of the match against New Zealand was broadcast live on BBC Grandstand.

Salford hosted their first floodlit game, using Manchester United's ground on Wednesday 5 November 1958 against Leeds in a match postponed from October. Leeds won 22–17.

A proposal in 1960 to create a Manchester rugby league club at the former White City Stadium on Chester Road received strong opposition from Salford and Swinton. Their protests were renewed when a match was staged there between a Manchester XIII, drawn from both Salford and Swinton and the New Zealand tourists in September 1961 and the idea was subsequently dropped.

Gus Risman returned to Salford as team manager in February 1962.

Between March and September 1962, Salford hit an all-time low with 19 consecutive defeats. Covering two seasons, it is the worst run in the club's history. Salford also suffered what was then their largest margin of defeat, when they lost 59–0 at St. Helens.

Brian Snape era

Brian Snape succeeded Jim Hammond as chairman in September 1963. Snape appointed Griff Jenkins as secretary-coach in 1964, and the Reds immediately started to climb the league ladder.

Salford built a variety club in 1966 in a bid to attract couples and parties to attend rugby matches. Between 1967 and 1972, Salford averaged over 7,000 spectators at a time when the league average was slipping below 2,000. In June 1967 the Willows switched on its floodlights for the first time in the match with Widnes on Friday 11 March 1966. From that evening, Friday night was rugby league night as the fans flocked to the Willows.

In October 1967 David Watkins joined Salford for £15,000, a then club record. Watkins scored in 92 consecutive matches for Salford from 19 August 1972 to 25 April 1974. He totalled 929 points from 41 tries and 403 goals.

In 1967, the Rugby Football League gave permission for games to be played on Sunday for the first time. The Willows staged its first Sunday fixture, a friendly with French club, Cavaillon, on 5 May 1968. It was not until the following season that the Reds were at home in their first competitive Sunday match, a second-round Challenge Cup-tie against Workington Town on 23 February 1969, Salford winning 12–5, destined for their third Wembley final which they lost 11–6 to Castleford, it was their first visit to Wembley after a gap of 30 years.

Salford's red devil nickname was immortalized when local football team Manchester United decided to replace their "Busby's Babes" nickname following the Munich crash. Matt Busby liked the sound of "Red Devils", thinking a devil was more intimidating to opponents than angelic babes and Manchester United adopted the "Red Devils" nickname.[citation needed]

In 1969, the BBC documentary, the Game That Got Away, held up Salford's revenue model as a blueprint for other clubs to follow.

In 1971, Salford beat the New Zealand tourists for the first time after five previous defeats.

In October 1972, Salford reached the final of the Lancashire County Cup for the first time since 1938, beating Swinton 25–11 at Wilderspool, Warrington to win their first trophy in thirty-three years. Salford reached the next three Lancashire Cup finals but failed to recapture the cup in any of them. They were also runners-up to Leeds in the 1972–73 Players No.6 Trophy. In 1973–74 and 1975–76 the club claimed two Championships and won the 1974–75 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy. The 1974 Championship was their first since 1938–39.

Salford's last major final of the Brian Snape era was the 1976 Premiership Trophy decider played at Station Road, Swinton. Salford conceded three tries in the last 12 minutes to lose 15–2. As the 1970s drew to a close, many star players had retired or were approaching the veteran stage, with no funds available to replace them.

In the 1976–77 season, the Salford versus Leeds match was abandoned just after half-time, after Chris Sanderson of Leeds suffered a fatal injury, after 38 minutes. Leeds were ahead 5–2, but the game was declared null and void and not replayed.

Stan McCormick was coach between February 1978 and March 1978. At the end of the 1977–78 season, Brian Snape left Salford, handing over the reins to his brother Keith.

Post Snape era

In May 1978, Alex Murphy was a surprise appointment as Salford coach. Years earlier he had famously referred to Salford's expensively built team as the 'Quality Street Gang'.

Salford's home league fixture with Widnes was designated as the club's 'Centenary Match' in October 1979. Watched by 11,982, the result was 16–16, Salford playing in their original jersey colours of red, amber and black hoops. In actual fact Salford was founded in 1873 as Cavendish, changing their name to Salford in 1879. Alex Murphy left in November 1980, he was replaced by Kevin Ashcroft.

By the end of the 1970s, the variety centre was losing money and in 1980, it was sold to the brewery Greenall Whitley. In 1981, Salford reverted to playing on Sunday afternoons.

On 3 January 1982, John Wilkinson took over as chairman. Wilkinson inherited a club living above its income, forcing him to make cost-saving measures. Mike Coulman coached Salford for the 1983–84 season.

Between July–August 1986, Salford participated in an 8-a-side touch rugby competition that included most of the senior clubs. The Reds won after beating Featherstone Rovers in the final at Elland Road, Leeds.

While the books were being balanced, steady progress was made on it, the Reds pulling off a major coup with the signing of Australian full-back Garry Jack in 1988. The Lancashire Cup final was reached in 1988, the Reds losing narrowly to favourites Wigan.

Kevin Tamati became coach in 1989. 1990 turned out to be a golden year. Salford won the Second Division Championship, losing just one game all season. In the Premiership final in front of 50,000 at Old Trafford, the Red Devils beat Halifax 27–20. They also made the final of the Lancashire Cup, losing narrowly to favourites Widnes.

In 1993 Garry Jack became head coach and manager as Tamati left. Jack was relieved from the coaching duties before being sacked as club manager in early 1995.

Summer era

File:Salfordcityreds.png
Logo used during "City Reds" days

In 1996, the first tier of British rugby league clubs played the inaugural Super League season and changed from a winter to a summer season.[4] Andy Gregory had finished his playing days as player-coach at Salford in 1995. Salford finished with 21 points; six-points clear of Hull F.C. and seemingly safe from a drop into the lower leagues.[5] However, the Rupert Murdoch-funded Super League competition proposed, as part of the deal, that some traditional clubs would merge. Salford were to merge with Oldham to form a Manchester club that would compete in Super League. When Salford visited Oldham for a match on Good Friday, 14 April, supporters of both clubs demonstrated against the idea by invading the pitch during the interval. This merger was resisted but Salford were not included in the new competition.

Salford added Reds to their name for the 1995–96 season. In 1996 Salford beat Wigan 26–16 at the Willows to produce one of the Challenge Cup's biggest shocks. It brought to an end a record run of eight successive Wembley victories by Wigan. Salford went on to reclaim their place in Super League by edging out Keighley to win the First Division.[5]

Gregory left Salford by mutual consent in May 1999 to concentrate on his pub business in Wigan. John Harvey replaced him as head coach.[6] Salford Reds became Salford City Reds in 1999 reportedly because Salford Council wanted their financial support for the club to be recognised, so their name was changed to emphasise the city status of Salford. The club's first match as Salford City Reds took place against Gateshead at the Willows on 18 July 1999. After the club avoided relegation at the end of the 1999 season, Harvey was given a contract for a further season.[7] He resigned in July 2001 following a 70–4 defeat at Wigan.[8]

Steve McCormack became the youngest Super League coach at the age of just 28 in 2001 but was sacked just 10 months later, after winning only three of 20 games. He was replaced by Karl Harrison, who had been Assistant Coach to Brian Noble at Bradford Bulls.

Salford City Reds struggled in the 2002 season and Harrison was unable to keep the club in the Super League, despite a good end to the season. Indeed, they went into the final match of the season second from bottom (only the bottom club were relegated that season). However, a home defeat to Castleford, coupled with a home win for Wakefield Trinity over Warrington, resulted in relegation for the Reds.

The 2003 season was spent in the National League 1, where the Reds – remaining as a full-time club (most other NL1 teams were part-time or amateur clubs) – performed very well, losing only 2 games all season. Salford won 90–8 at Gateshead, their highest score since 1907 and then four days later Salford beat Gateshead again 100–12 in the National Cup at the Willows, a club record score. On their way to finishing top of the National League 1 table, Salford also won the Arriva Trains Cup beating Leigh in the final. Having finished on top of the NL1 table, Salford entered the NL1 play-offs, needing to win their match to qualify for the final. They beat Leigh in a bad-tempered match, to qualify for the NL1 Grand Final. Leigh were forced into a knock-out semi-final to try to get through to the Grand Final – a play-off match they ultimately won.

Salford City Reds then comfortably beat Leigh in the Grand Final, to gain promotion to Super League after one season out. It was the sixth time out of seven meetings between the two that Salford had beaten Leigh that season (the first match ended in a draw). Leigh would follow Salford into Super League the following season. 2004 was a consolidatory season for the Reds, notably mostly for an impressive home win over St. Helens and coming from 12 points behind Castleford in a game three times in the season to win all three games, the third of which – at Castleford's "The Jungle" ground confirmed Salford's survival in the Super League and practically relegated 'Cas' in the process. In the end the Reds finished 9th.

The 2005 season saw Salford Reds sign Luke Robinson and David Hodgson from Wigan, both of whom performed excellently well for the Reds all season. Although Salford were unable to improve on the 9th-place finish of the previous season, they were regarded as one of the most improved teams in Super League and finished 6-points higher than they had the season before. However, relegation was again a real threat, as – to accommodate Catalans Dragons from France into Super League in 2006 – two clubs were relegated in 2005 instead of just one. Leigh comfortably finished bottom of the table, losing 14 games in a row. Widnes were also relegated, 6-points behind the Reds.

The 2006 Season started with wins at Warrington, and against Catalans Dragons at the Willows. Further wins over Wigan and Wakefield Trinity meant that Salford had won 4 of their opening 5 games (losing to Bradford in round 3). Salford in SLXI lost eight games by fewer than 6 points, including 1 point defeats to Leeds, Hull F.C. and Harlequins RL and 2 point defeats to Leeds and St. Helens. However, Salford's victory over Castleford on 10 September 2006, ensured that they would play in the Super League play-offs for the first time in their history in a season they had started as favourites for relegation according to most pundits. It is the club's highest position in a top division since coming fourth in 1979–80 in the old First Division. In their first-ever Super League play-off match, Salford City Reds were routed 52–6 at Odsal Stadium against Bradford on Saturday 23 September 2006.[9]

Karl Harrison was sacked as first-team coach on 22 May 2007[10] following a disastrous run of form that saw the Reds win just three games and draw another in the opening 16 rounds of the 2007 Season, and left them languishing at the bottom of the League Table with a meagre 7 points. Team Director of Football, Steve Simms took over in a caretaker role for two games, winning the first against an in-form Huddersfield and only losing by a single point against then World Champions, St. Helens.

On 11 June 2007 long-term favourite to take the role, Shaun McRae was announced as the new head coach.[11] On 15 June 2007, Salford beat Harlequins 5–2 in the first (and, to date, only) Super League game not to contain a try. On 2 September 2007, Salford were relegated from Super League when Hull Kingston Rovers beat Hull F.C. 42–6.

Super League licence era and move to Barton

McRae led the Salford side to triple success in the National League, winning the Northern Rail Cup, the League Leaders' Trophy and the Grand Final. Salford City Reds were awarded a three-year Super League licence in July 2008 as the game moved away from automatic promotion and relegation.[12]

The Reds beat Leeds at Headingley 30–20 in 2009 to produce one of the biggest surprises of the season. Salford had only defeated Leeds away twice since 1946, the last occasion being 1977.

Shaun McRae was off ill with an undisclosed illness for most of the 2011 season, assistant coach Phil Veivers was caretaker manager and was promoted to head coach in November 2011.

The Reds were awarded a three-year licence to compete in the Super League from 2012 to 2014. They finished the 2011 Super League XVI season in 11th place.

In 2012, the club left the Willows to move into the new Salford City Stadium at Barton, Eccles. Their first league match at the new stadium was on 4 February 2012 against Castleford, who beat Reds 10–24. They finished the 2012 Super League XVII season in 11th place again.

In January 2013, the hearing of a winding-up petition over money Salford owed to HM Revenue and Customs and to players in unpaid wages was adjourned for four weeks so that new investors in the club could be sought.[13] It was indicated that the club could be taken over by Marwan Koukash.[14] On 31 January 2013 it was confirmed that Koukash would take over the club.[15] Phil Veivers was sacked as coach in March 2013 after Salford lost four of their first five games,[16] with Alan Hunte taking temporary charge until former Bradford, Great Britain and Crusaders coach Brian Noble was revealed as the new coach.

2013–Present: Salford Red Devils

Salford signed eight more players and relaunched as Red Devils on 5 September 2013, including former Castleford star halfback and international Rangi Chase, and fellow England player Gareth Hock. The former Warrington captain Adrian Morley, ex-Wakefield Trinity's Tim Smith, and Samoa internationals Francis Meli and Tony Puletua, both formerly of St. Helens, complete the signings from Super League teams. Signings from the Australian NRL were the former Parramatta Eels fullback Jake Mullaney, ex-Melbourne Storm centre Junior Sa'u and Steve Rapira, previously of New Zealand Warriors. Also signed were former Salford Academy product, Jason Walton and Greg Johnson, both from Championship side Batley.[17]

It was confirmed in early April 2014 that Iestyn Harris, a former assistant coach at rival Super League club Wigan, would become the new head coach of Salford. Owner Marwan Koukash had been in talks with Wigan to negotiate bringing Harris to the AJ Bell Stadium but did not state his prospective role to the public. Former Salford Head Coach Brian Noble has been offered the job of Director of Football after being dismissed from his position as head coach after a mediocre start to his first full season in charge.

In 2014, it was revealed that Salford mayor Ian Stewart lent almost £200,000 to the club to keep them afloat, without consulting others at the Council. Salford City Council also part-own the stadium where the club play.[18]

In September 2015, four players, Rangi Chase, captain Harrison Hansen, Cory Paterson and Théo Fages, were released by the club by new Director of Rugby and Australian national team coach Tim Sheens.[19]

In 2015, Salford failed to finish in the top 8 of Super League and ended up in The Qualifiers. In 2015, they finished 3rd in the table and secured Super League status for the 2016 season.

In 2016, Salford managed enough wins to finish in the top 8 of Super League, but breaches of the Salary Cap in 2014 and 2015 saw them deducted 6 points and the finished the season 10th and they were placed in The Qualifiers again. Here, they suffered numerous losses, including to the London Broncos and Leigh Centurions, who had both been in the Championship that season and could only finish 5th in the Qualifiers table. This meant they ended up in the 2016 Million Pound Game away to Hull Kingston Rovers. Despite not being in front in the entire 80 minutes, Salford scored two unconverted tries in the last 90 seconds of normal time to take the game to Golden Point extra time. Less than a minute into the extra time, Salford scored a Drop Goal to win the match and secure Super League status for 2017.

In 2018, Salford finished second last in the table and were condemned to play in the 2018 Rugby League Qualifiers. Salford managed to avoid relegation to the RFL Championship after finishing top of the qualifiers table and secured their place for the 2019 Super League season.[20]

In 2019, Salford reached the 2019 Super League Grand Final after defeating Castleford and Wigan to reach the decider. Salford were looking to win their first championship since 1976 but faced a St Helens side who had only lost 3 games all season. Salford would go on to lose the final 23-6 at Old Trafford.[21]

Colours and badge

Colours

Quins v Salford in 2009.

Salford have traditionally played in predominantly red with bits of white. When the club was rebranded as the Red Devils the club colours were changed slightly with black replacing the small amount of white that appears on the home kit.

Badge

Traditionally Salford used the city's coat of arms as many other clubs did until the Super League era started in 1996 and many clubs rebranded. Salford City as they were then known added Reds to their name and a new logo. In 2014 the club rebranded again becoming the Salford Red Devils. The new club badge has a devil within a triangle with Red Devils across the bottom.

Stadiums

1901–2011: The Willows

Main article: The Willows, Salford
The Willows

In 1900, Salford agreed a 14-year lease on 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land belonging to the Willows Estate Company, named after the abundance of willow trees in the area. They made their debut at the Willows on 21 December 1901, beating Swinton 2–0 in front of 16,981 fans. In the 1960s, the terrace was flattened at the Willows Road end to make way for the Salford Football and Social Club which was officially opened on 16 June 1966. The Willows switched on its floodlights for the first time in the match with Widnes on Friday 11 March 1966. On 26 November 1989, Salford unveiled a new £50,000 electronic scoreboard above the Willows Variety Centre. [1]

2012–Present: AJ Bell Stadium

Main article: AJ Bell Stadium
AJ Bell Stadium

From the start of the 2012 season, Salford have played at the purpose-built AJ Bell Stadium in Barton-upon-Irwell, co-owned by Peel Holdings and Salford City Council and shared with rugby union side Sale Sharks. In 2015 Salford were in talks with a landowner in Salford about building a new stadium in Salford because of rent low attendances since the current stadium is in Salford, although nothing came from these talks.

Kit sponsors and manufacturers

Year Kit Manufacturer Main Shirt Sponsor
1985–1990 Halbro Wilcox/Trenchman/Cambrian Soft Drinks
1990–1992 Ellgreen ESAB
1992–1995 Cebora
1995–1997 Arrow
1998–1999 Joe Bloggs
2000–2004 Trafford Centre
2005–2008 ISC
2009–2011 Kooga
2012–2013 Media City UK
2014–2015 Under Armour
2016–2017 Raging Bull Mitsubishi
2017–2018 Steeden
2019– Kappa

Seasons

Finishing positions since last title

  • 1975–81: RFL Championship
  • 1981–83: Second Division
  • 1983–84: RFL Championship
  • 1984–85: Second Division
  • 1985–90: RFL Championship
  • 1990–91: Second Division
  • 1991–95: RFL Championship
  • 1995–96: Second Division
  • 1997-02: Super League
  • 2003: National League 1
  • 2004–07: Super League
  • 2008: National League 1
  • 2009–present: Super League

Past coaches

2020 squad

2020 Salford Red Devils Squad
First team squad Coaching staff
  • 27
  • 28

Head coach


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


2020 transfers

Gains

Player Club Contract Date
Tonga Tui Lolohea Leeds Rhinos 2 years June 2019
England Chris Atkin Hull Kingston Rovers N/A September 2019
England James Greenwood Hull Kingston Rovers 1 year September 2019
England Kevin Brown Warrington Wolves 1 year September 2019
Australia Pauli Pauli Wakefield Trinity N/A September 2019
Australia Connor Jones Featherstone Rovers N/A September 2019
England Jack Ormondroyd Featherstone Rovers N/A September 2019
England Dan Sarginson Wigan Warriors N/A October 2019
Wales Rhys Williams London Broncos N/A October 2019
Wales Elliot Kear London Broncos N/A October 2019
Australia Luke Yates London Broncos N/A October 2019
England Ryan Lannon Hull Kingston Rovers Swap Deal October 2019
New Zealand Sebastine Ikahihifo Huddersfield Giants Season Loan November 2019

Losses

Player Club Contract Date
England Josh Jones Hull FC 2 years May 2019
England Jake Bibby Wigan Warriors 2 years June 2019
Australia Jackson Hastings Wigan Warriors 2 years June 2019
Australia Robert Lui Leeds Rhinos 2 years June 2019
England George Griffin Castleford Tigers 2 years July 2019
England Derrell Olpherts Castleford Tigers 3 years July 2019
England Josh Wood Wakefield Trinity 2 years October 2019
England Daniel Murray Hull Kingston Rovers Swap Deal October 2019
England Greg Johnson Bradford Bulls 1 year November 2019
England Logan Tomkins Hull KR 2 Years November 2019

Honours

League

Winners (6): 1913–14, 1932–33, 1936–37, 1938–39, 1973–74, 1975–76
Runners up (5): 1901-02, 1902-03, 1903-04, 1933-34, 2019
Winners (5): 1990-91, 1995-96, 1996, 2003, 2008
Runners up (1): 1984-85
Winners (5): 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1936–37, 1938–39

Cups

Winners (1): 1937-38
Runners up (6): 1899-1900, 1901-02, 1902-03, 1905-06, 1938-39, 1968-69
Winners (5): 1931–32, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1972–73
Runners up (7): 1929-30, 1938-39, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1988-89, 1990-91
Winners (1): 1974-75
Winners (2): 2003, 2008

Notable players

Players earning international caps while at Salford

  • Robert Ackerman won caps for Wales while at Carlisle, Salford, and Cardiff? 1991…1993 5-caps 1(2?)-try 4(8?)-points
  • Malcolm Alker won caps for England while at Salford in 2005 France, New Zealand
  • Peter Banner won caps for Wales while at Salford in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against France, England, and New Zealand, and while at Featherstone Rovers in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against England, Australia, New Zealand, and France (World Cup in 1975 7-caps, 2-tries)
  • Steve Blakeley won caps for England while at Salford in 1996 France, Wales (sub), in 1999 France (sub)
  • Arthur Buckler won a cap for Wales while at Salford in 1908 against England
  • H. Buckler (No. 12) won caps for Other Nationalities while at Salford in 1904 England
  • William "Bill" Burgess won caps for England while at Barrow in 1962 France, in 1969 Wales, France and won caps for Great Britain while at Barrow in 1962 France, in 1963 Australia, in 1965 New Zealand (2 matches), in 1966 France, Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (2 matches), in 1967 France, Australia, in 1968 France, while at Salford in 1969 France
  • Aubrey Casewell won a cap for Wales while at Salford in 1932
  • Chris Charles won caps for England while at Salford in 2005 France
  • Paul Charlton won caps for England while at Salford in 1975 France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Workington in 1965 New Zealand, while at Salford in 1970 New Zealand (sub), in 1972 France (2 matches), Australia (2 matches), France, New Zealand, in 1973 Australia (3 matches), in 1974 France (2 matches), Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (3 matches) (World Cup in 1970 1-cap, in 1972 4-caps, 1-try)
  • John Cheshire won a cap for Wales while at Salford in 1959
  • Andy Coley won caps for England while at Salford in 2004 Russia, France, Ireland and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 2007 France
  • Mike Coulman won caps for England while at Salford in 1975 France, Wales, Wales, Australia, Papua New Guinea, in 1977 France and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1971 France (sub), New Zealand (2 matches)
  • Jason Critchley won caps for England while at Salford in 1992 Wales (sub)
  • George Curran won caps for England while at Salford in 1946 Wales (2 matches), France, in 1947 Wales (2 matches), France, in 1948 France (2 matches), Wales, in 1949 Wales, France (2 matches), and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1946 Australia, New Zealand, in 1947 New Zealand, in 1948–49 Australia (3 matches)
  • Ephraim Curzon won caps for Great Britain while at Salford circa-1910
  • Paddy Dalton won caps for England while at Salford in 1934 Australia, France, in 1935 France, Wales, in 1936 Wales
  • Thompson "Tom" Danby won caps for England while at Salford in 1950 Wales (2 matches), France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1950 Australia (2 matches), New Zealand
  • Dai Davies won caps for Wales while at Salford 1939…1948 9-caps
  • John "Jack" Davies won caps for Wales while at Salford 1949 2-caps
  • Bert Day won caps for Wales (RU) while at Newport RFC 1930–31 5-caps, and won caps for Wales (RL) while at Salford 1935–45 3-caps
  • Colin Dixon won caps for Wales while at Halifax, Salford and Hull Kingston Rovers 1963…1981 (11?)16-caps (World Cup in 1975 4-caps), and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford (World Cup in 1972 1-cap)
  • Alan Edwards won caps for Wales while at Salford, and Bradford Northern 1935…1948 18-caps, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1936 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1937 against Australia (2 matches)
  • Emrys Evans won caps for Wales (RU) while at Llanelli RFC in 1937 against England, and in 1939 against Scotland, and Ireland, and won a cap for Wales (RL) while at Salford in 1945
  • Richard "Dick" Evans won caps for Wales while at Swinton in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against France (2 matches)
  • Jack Feetham won caps for England while at Salford in 1932 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1929–30 Australia, while at Salford in 1932 Australia (2 matches), New Zealand (2 matches), in 1933 Australia (3 matches)
  • ?. Fielding won a cap(s) for Other Nationalities while at Salford
  • Keith Fielding won caps for England while at Salford in 1975 France, France (2 matches), Wales (2 matches), Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1974 France (2 matches), in 1977 France
  • Phil Ford won caps for Wales while at Warrington, Leeds, and Salford 1984 to 1995 1984(1991?)…1995 9(10?)-caps + 1-cap (sub) 4-tries 16-points
  • Damian Gibson won caps for Wales while at Halifax, Salford and Castleford (1996?)1999…present 16(15, 18?)-caps + 2-caps (sub) 8-tries 32-points
  • Kenneth "Ken" Gill won caps for England while at Salford in 1975 Wales, France (2 matches), Wales (sub), Wales, New Zealand (2 matches), Australia, Australia (sub), Australia, in 1977 Wales, France and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1974 France (2 matches), Australia (2 matches), New Zealand, in 1977 France (sub), Australia (sub)
  • John "Jack" Gore won caps for Wales while at Salford 1926…1928 3-caps, and won a cap for Great Britain while at Salford in 1927 against New Zealand
  • Adrian Hadley won caps for Wales while at Salford and Widnes 1991…1995 5(9?)-caps + 6-caps (sub) 1-try 4-points
  • Edward "Teddy" Haines won caps for England while at Salford in 1927 Wales
  • Eynon Hawkins won caps for Wales while at Salford and Rochdale Hornets 1949…1953 6-caps
  • Christopher "Chris" Hesketh won caps for England while at Salford in 1968 Wales, in 1969 Wales, France and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1970 New Zealand, New Zealand, Australia (sub), in 1971 France, France (sub), New Zealand (3 matches), in 1972 Australia (2 matches), France, New Zealand, in 1973 Australia (3 matches), in 1974 France (2 matches), Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (3 matches) (World Cup in 1970 2-caps 1-try, in 1972 3-caps, 1-try)
  • Paul Highton won caps for Wales while at Salford 1999…present 5(8, 9?)-caps + 4-caps (sub)
  • Ron Hill won caps for Wales while at Salford 1969…1970 2-caps
  • David Hodgson won caps for England while at Salford in 2005 New Zealand, in 2006 Tonga (2 matches), Samoa, and won caps for Great Britain while at Wigan in 2001 France, Australia (sub), while at Salford in 2007 France, New Zealand
  • Barney Hudson won caps for England while at Salford in 1934 Australia, in 1935 France, Wales, in 1936 Wales, France, in 1938 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1932 New Zealand, in 1933 Australia (2 matches), in 1936 Australia, New Zealand (2 matches), in 1937 Australia (2 matches)
  • Emlyn Jenkins won caps for Wales while at Salford 1932…1936 4-caps, won caps for England while at Salford in 1934 against Australia and France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1933 against Australia, in 1936 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1937 against Australia (3 matches)
  • Graeme Johns won caps for Wales while at Salford in 1979 against France (sub) and while at Blackpool Borough in 1984 against England (sub)
  • Graham Jones won a cap for Wales while at Salford in 1959
  • Reg Jones won a cap for Wales while at Salford in 1946
  • Thomas "Tom" Kenny won caps for England while at Salford in 1939 Wales
  • Thomas "Tom" Kent won 6-caps for England (RU) while at Salford 1891…1892
  • James "Jim" Lomas won caps for England while at Salford in 1904 Other Nationalities, in 1905 Other Nationalities, in 1906 Other Nationalities, in 1908 New Zealand, Wales, in 1909 Australia (3 matches), Wales, in 1910 Wales, while at Oldham in 1911 Wales, Australia (2 matches) and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1908–09 Australia (2 matches), in 1910 Australia (2 matches), New Zealand, while at Oldham in 1911–12 Australia (2 matches)
  • Nathan McAvoy won caps for England while at Salford in 1996 Wales, while at Bradford Bulls in 1999 France, France (sub)
  • Tom McKinney for Other Nationalities 7-caps won caps for British Empire XIII while at Salford in 1952 New Zealand won caps for Rugby League XIII while at Salford in 1954 France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1951 New Zealand, in 1952 France (non-test), Australia (2 matches), in 1953 France (non-test), in 1954 France (non-test), Australia (3 matches), New Zealand, while at Warrington in 1955 New Zealand (2 matches), France (non-test), New Zealand, in 1956 France (non-test), while at St. Helens in 1957 New Zealand (World Cup in 1957 1-cap)
  • Craig Makin won caps for Wales while at Salford 1999(…2000?) 2-caps
  • Alfred "Alf" Middleton won caps for England while at Salford in 1931 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1929–30 Australia
  • Chris Morley won caps for Wales while at St. Helens in 1996 against France (sub), and England, while at Salford in 1999 against Ireland, and Scotland, while at Sheffield Eagles in 2000 against South Africa (sub), while at Leigh in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup against Lebanon (sub), New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (sub), and Australia, while at Oldham in 2001 against England, while at Halifax in 2003 against Russia, and Australia, while at Swinton in 2006 against Scotland, 1996…2006 13(14?)-caps + 4-caps (sub) 1(2?)-try 4(8?)-points
  • Steve Nash won caps for England while at Featherstone Rovers in 1975 Wales, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, while at Salford in 1978 France, Wales, in 1981 Wales (2 matches), and won caps for Great Britain while at Featherstone Rovers in 1971 France, New Zealand, in 1972 France (2 matches), Australia (2 matches), France, New Zealand, in 1973 Australia (2 matches), in 1974 Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (3 matches), while at Salford in 1977 France, New Zealand, Australia (2 matches), in 1978 Australia (3 matches), in 1982 Australia (World Cup in 1972 4-caps, 1-try)
  • Bryn Powell won caps for Wales while at Salford, Featherstone Rovers, and Dewsbury 2004…2006 (5?)6-caps 4(3?)-tries 16(12?)-points
  • Sam Panapa won caps for Western Samoa while at Salford in 1995 ?-caps
  • George Parsons represented Wales XV (RU) while at Abertillery RFC in the 'Victory International' non-Test match(es) between December 1945 and April 1946, won a cap for Wales (RU) while at Newport RFC in 1947 against England, won caps for Wales (RL) while at St. Helens, and Salford, and also represented Great Britain (RL) while at St. Helens between 1952 and 1956 against France (1 non-Test match)
  • Bob Prosser won caps for Wales while at Salford 1968…1970 4-caps
  • Joe Pugsley won caps for Wales (RU) while at Cardiff RFC in 1910 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in 1911 against England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, and won a cap for Wales (RL) while at Salford in 1911
  • Charlie Rees won caps for Wales while at Salford in 1912
  • Dai Rees won caps for Wales while at Salford in 1908 2-caps
  • Jack Rhapps won caps for Other Nationalities while at Salford in 1904 England
  • Maurice Richards won caps for Wales while at Salford 1969…1975 3-caps (World Cup in 1975 1-cap), and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1974 against Australia, and New Zealand
  • Gus Risman won caps for Wales while at Salford 1931…1945 18-caps, won a cap for England while at Salford in 1934 against France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1932 against Australia, New Zealand (3 matches), in 1933 against Australia (3 matches), in 1936 against Australia (2 matches), New Zealand (2 matches), in 1937 against Australia (3 matches), and in 1946 against Australia (3 matches)
  • Luke Robinson won caps for England while at Wigan in 2004 Russia, France, Ireland, while at Salford in 2005 France, New Zealand
  • Steve Rule won a cap for Wales while at Salford in 1981
  • D. Smith (#1) won caps for Other Nationalities while at Salford in 1904 England
  • John "Jack" Spencer won caps for England while at Salford in 1908 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1908 New Zealand
  • Kris Tassell won caps for Wales while at Salford City Reds, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Swinton Lions, and unattached 2000…2004 11(10?)-caps 6-tries 24-points
  • D. Thomas (#2) won caps for Other Nationalities while at Salford in 1904 England
  • Evan Thomas won caps for Wales while at Salford 1911…1914 2-caps
  • Harold Thomas won caps for Wales (RU) while at Neath RFC in 1936 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and in 1937 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, represented Wales XV (RU) while at Salford (RL) in the 'Victory International' non-Test match(es) between December 1945 and April 1946, and won caps for Wales (RL) while at Salford 1938…1939 2-caps
  • Willie Thomas won a cap for Wales while at Salford in 1911
  • Patrick "Pat" Tunney won caps for England while at Salford in 1904 Other Nationalities
  • John "Johnny" Ward won caps for England while at Castleford in 1969 Wales, France, while at Salford in 1970 France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1963 Australia, in 1964 France (2 matches), while at Salford in 1970 New Zealand
  • Silas Warwick won caps for England while at Salford in 1908 Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1908 New Zealand (2 matches)
  • David Watkins won caps for Wales while at Salford 1968…1979 (14?)16-caps 1-try 31-goals 4-drop-goals 69-points (World Cup in 1975 Captain 8-caps, 25-goals), and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1967+? Australia, France, New Zealand (6-caps)
  • Billy Watkins won caps for Wales while at Salford in 1932…1936 6-caps, and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1933 against Australia, in 1936 against Australia (2 matches), New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1937 against Australia (2 matches)
  • Ian Watson won caps for Wales while at Salford, Swinton, Widnes, Rochdale Hornets, Oldham, and Leigh 1996…present 26 caps 7 tries 1 goal 30 points
  • Richard Webster won caps for Wales while at Salford 1994…(1995?)1996 4-caps (sub) 2-tries 8-points
  • George Whitney won caps for Wales while at Salford 1921 2-caps
  • Peter Williams won caps for Wales while at Salford 1992 2-caps + 1-cap (sub), and won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1989 against France (2 matches)
  • Syd Williams won caps for Wales (RU) while at Aberavon RFC in 1939 against England, Scotland, and Ireland, and won caps for Wales (RL) while at Salford 1940…1952 5-caps
  • Billy Williams won caps for Wales (RU) while at Crumlin in 1927 4-caps, won caps for Wales (RL) while at Salford 1930…33 3-caps, and won caps for Great Britain (RL) in 1930 against Australia, and in 1932 against Australia.
  • Dai Young won caps for Wales while at Salford 1991…(1995?)1996 (13, 12?)15-caps

Team of the Century

In 2001, Salford selected a team consisting of the greatest players to appear for the club since the first game at the Willows in 1901. The team was selected by supporters, board members, sports writers and club historians.[22][23]

No. Player name
1 Paul Charlton
2 Barney Hudson
3 Jimmy Lomas
4 Gus Risman (c)
5 Maurice Richards
6 Emlyn Jenkins
7 Jackie Brennan
8 Billy Williams
9 Malcolm Alker
10 Dai Moses
11 Colin Dixon
12 Mike Coulman
13 Jack Feetham
14 David Watkins (MBE)
15 Chris Hesketh (MBE)
16 Dai Davies
17 Eric Prescott
Coach Lance Todd

Other notable players

These players have either; played in a Championship, Challenge Cup, or Lancashire County Cup final, or played in Lancashire League winning teams, received a Testimonial match, are Hall Of Fame Inductees, were international representatives before, or after, their time at Salford, or are notable outside of rugby league.

Records

Player records

Team records

References

  1. ^ "Salford City Reds to be known as Salford Red Devils from 2014". 14 May 2013 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  2. ^ Baker, Andrew (20 August 1995). "100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era". The Independent. London: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  3. ^ "Litzkuhn v. Clark". justia.com.
  4. ^ Hadfield, Dave (20 December 1995). "Rugby's pounds 87m deal gives Murdoch transfer veto". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
  5. ^ a b http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/rugby-league/Keighley39s-Super-League-omission-a.991932.jp
  6. ^ Chris Herde and Brad Walter (17 May 1999). "Harvey to coach Salford" (fee required). AAP Sports News (Australia). Retrieved 3 September 2008.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Harvey's escape act rewarded with full time post" (fee required). AAP Sports News (Australia). 14 September 1999. Retrieved 3 September 2008.[dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Coach Harvey calls it quits". 22 July 2001 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Bulls make light work of Salford", Sporting Life, 23 September 2006.
  10. ^ "Salford sack head coach Harrison". 22 May 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  11. ^ "McRae given Head Coach Role". Salford City Reds. 11 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
  12. ^ "Crusaders join Super League". Sky Sports. 22 July 2008.
  13. ^ "Salford City Reds: Winding-up hearing adjourned until 4 February". 22 June 2018 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  14. ^ "Manchester Evening News: Number one for news, opinion, sport & celebrity gossip". menmedia.co.uk.
  15. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Phil Veivers: Salford City Reds sack head coach". 3 March 2013 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Salford sign eight more players and relaunch as Red Devils". 5 September 2013 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  18. ^ Williams, Jennifer (27 August 2014). "Labour councillors block investigation into 'secret' deal to bail out Salford Red Devils rugby league club". manchestereveningnews.co.uk.
  19. ^ "Salford cut losses on Rangi Chase and Harrison Hansen in major shake-up". the guardian. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  20. ^ "Salford Red Devils season review 2018". nothingbutleague.
  21. ^ "St Helens 23-6 Salford Red Devils: Super League Grand Final – as it happened". The Guardian.
  22. ^ "Salford Reds Team Of The Century". Era of the Biff. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  23. ^ Morris, Graham (2002). Salford City Reds: A Willows Century. Sheffield: Vertical. p. 184. ISBN 978-1904091028.
  24. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 11 March 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. ^ "Bream RFC". www.pitchero.com.
  26. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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