Rugby League

[1D54]

I wonder what the RFU will do about this fixture?

I think the RFU has has enough problems recently with Wasps and Worcester without involving themselves in this car crash.

Seriously though, what are the rules with failing to fulfil a fixture at this level and more importantly when is this going to end? It must feel like death by a thousand cuts for SRD fans, it has been going on for at least nine months and apparently the only reason they haven't been booted out of SL is because of contractual obligations with Sky and probably the small matter of having to expunge the results of the 21 games they have played.

 

[Amos]

I wonder what the RFU will do about this fixture?

The RFL board will decide the outcome of the fixture next week (little bit like the football pools panel I suppose).Think it’s fair to say they won’t be awarding the win to Salford.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

The RFL board will decide the outcome of the fixture next week (little bit like the football pools panel I suppose).Think it’s fair to say they won’t be awarding the win to Salford.

Likely it'll be a 48-0 default win awarded to Wakefield.

 

[JD2168]

It is a very worrying situation for Salford Red Devils as the Sunday match against Wakefield has been cancelled, citing "Welfare Concerns".

The original playing squad has seen departure after departure for some considerable time now, starting with the best players such as Marc Sneyd, and it was said that of the remaining 17 players, some younger loanees from other clubs, only two had any Super League playing experience in the last twelve months. I wonder what the RFL will do about this fixture?

This follows the resignation of the chief operating officer this week who posted in a leaving note that she was advised by someone on the board to sleep with someone at the RFL to ease the situation

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

When was the last time that the takeover company made any formal statements expressing their view?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

When was the last time that the takeover company made any formal statements expressing their view?

Just last Monday, it would seem, although what they had to say, or didn't say, was apparently quickly derided by Salford Reds' supporters' groups...

Salford Red Devils: Consortium say club 'will not close' despite financial troubles

Salford Red Devils' ownership group say the beleaguered Super League club "will not close" despite their perilous financial state.

www.bbc.co.uk

Extract...

In a statement, external issued late on Monday evening, the group said that bridge funding would be "available and settled" by the end of August, and that they remained "fully committed" to supporting the club sustainably.

"We understand the frustration many fans feel. But we want to be clear: Salford Red Devils will not close," they added.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Betfred Super League

Warrington Wolves 12 ... Salford Red Devils 25

In the words favoured by Victor Meldrew....."I just don't believe it".

 

[BeijingDave]

Betfred Super League

Warrington Wolves 12 ... Salford Red Devils 25

In the words favoured by Victor Meldrew....."I just don't believe it".

As a long-suffering Wire... I do.

 

[Amos]

Well played Salford,shows what happens when you play with some team spirit.There is something seriously wrong at Warrington,but the board don’t seem to care.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Been adjourned until some time in September 2025, apparently.

The winding-up petition against Salford Red Devils has now been held over decision-wise for a second time, so matters are still unresolved.

 

[1D54]

Top 14 positions for SL next season will be announced on 16th October and the next date for SRD is the 29th. How can they possibly be included with all that has gone on and continues to go on. Are this club borrowing money to pay HMRC as is being widely speculated. This much talked about bridging loan wasn't forthcoming last month yet players were paid, it is a right mess but at least they will see the season out which is good for everyone else.

 

[BeijingDave]

Top 14 positions for SL next season will be announced on 16th October and the next date for SRD is the 29th. How can they possibly be included with all that has gone on and continues to go on. Are this club borrowing money to pay HMRC as is being widely speculated. This much talked about bridging loan wasn't forthcoming last month yet players were paid, it is a right mess but at least they will see the season out which is good for everyone else.

I expect that Bradford and London will be shoehorned in, as major population centres, plus one more (and it won't be Salford).

 

[JD2168]

In the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford Hull KR beat Wigan Warriors 24-6. This completes a treble after Hull KR also won the Challenge Cup & the League Leaders Shield in the 2025 season

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Top 14 positions for SL next season will be announced on 16th October .

All at Salford Red Devils will be wondering what will happen to the club this coming Thursday.

 

[Cloud Strife]

All at Salford Red Devils will be wondering what will happen to the club this coming Thursday.

They're gone. There's no way Super League continues with them when any three of Toulouse, York, London and Bradford are far more viable in Super League.

Personally, I'm hoping for York, Toulouse and Bradford. York getting in will help with regional rivalries, Toulouse will do a lot to build the sport in/around SW France alongside the Catalans, and Bradford will be good for large attendances and passionate local support.

On the other hand, London just isn't the place for Super League. They're not good enough to get there on merit, and it makes no sense to ignore one of the other three just to have a London team in there. Leave London to Rugby Union and focus on the North.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

All at Salford Red Devils will be wondering what will happen to the club this coming Thursday.

They're gone. There's no way Super League continues with them...

Inclined to agree. There might possibly be a new "phoenix" Salford club at some stage in the future, but, if so, it will have to compete at the level below (i.e. the merged Championship/League One). Doubt that any such new Salford club will be up and running until the following 2027 season, but you never know. Watch this space!

As for the existing Salford Reds entity, it will almost certainly be ordered to be wound up at the end of October when HMRC don't get paid what they're due. The High Court hearing is on the 29th.

 

[Bevan Price]

St. Helens are looking for a new head coach. With no trophies won for 3 seasons, Paul Wellens is being replaced. Great players do not always make great coaches or managers.....

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Bradford Bulls have been regraded 10th in the Grade B team rankings and will take part in the new expanded 14-team 2026 Super League. Salford Red Devils were downgraded to 15th in the Grade B team rankings which, irrespective of their current problems, mean that they would not be competing in that league if still continuing.

 

[1D54]

What about London, Toulouse and York?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

What about London, Toulouse and York?

It's expected that it will be announced tomorrow, at or after 10.00 a.m., which of these will be teams 13 + 14 in Super League 2026.

 

[Bantamzen]

What about London, Toulouse and York?

York & Toulouse are 13th & 14th in the rankings respectively, London 16th.

Edit: Sorry that's the wrong way around, Toulouse are 13th & York 14th in the rankings.

 

[1D54]

Thanks chaps. So all this talk of investment going in to Broncos either hasn't happened or it has happened for nothing. Support wise Bradford will be welcome back but the others won't be much of an addition with low numbers travelling to away games.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Thanks chaps. So all this talk of investment going in to Broncos either hasn't happened or it has happened for nothing. Support wise Bradford will be welcome back but the others won't be much of an addition with low numbers travelling to away games.

As York are "one of the others", why should "low numbers" be expected by fans travelling there?

 

[1D54]

As York are "one of the others", why should "low numbers" be expected by fans travelling there?

Other way around, they are hardly blessed with support but i suppose the same can be said with Huddersfield fans on the road ( took 70 odd to Wigan last season)

 

[Bantamzen]

Thanks chaps. So all this talk of investment going in to Broncos either hasn't happened or it has happened for nothing. Support wise Bradford will be welcome back but the others won't be much of an addition with low numbers travelling to away games.

To be honest I think the London experiment is ever going to yield results, no matter how much investment goes into it. There just isn't the support for RL in the south of England. Many RL supporters are bemoaning the ranking system, but short of actually introducing promotion / relegation again (which they really ought to), this is probably the most pragmatic way of doing things. RL is still a sport largely confined to the M62 corridor, and numbers aren't particularly high away from Super League, so shoehorning in a team that in the past often saw 20K home crowds and is known for being well travelled means a lot more people switching back on to the SL.

As York are "one of the others", why should "low numbers" be expected by fans travelling there?

To be fair to York there is potential there, York City are doing well and attracting fans, although the Knights seem to lack somewhat behind with what I can tell is an average of around 2.5K per game (it's actually quite difficult verifying this as they don't seem to publish numbers on their site). But the York Community stadium has a capacity of 8.5K, and is a cracking little ground that could generate a decent atmosphere (I've only visited with Bradford City in a pre-season friendly). So it seems like a pretty decent fit in an expanded SL.

 

[Amos]

To be honest I think the London experiment is ever going to yield results, no matter how much investment goes into it. There just isn't the support for RL in the south of England.

I don’t think London do themselves many favours by chopping and changing their location so often.I found it quite irritating as an away supporter going once or twice a season trying to work out travel there, but if you follow them every week I imagine it would be infuriating.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

It's expected that it will be announced tomorrow, at or after 10.00 a.m., which of these will be teams 13 + 14 in Super League 2026.

Been confirmed that Toulouse Olympic and York Knights are teams 13 + 14 in Super League 2026. London Broncos miss out.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

To be fair to York there is potential there, York City are doing well and attracting fans, although the Knights seem to lack somewhat behind with what I can tell is an average of around 2.5K per game (it's actually quite difficult verifying this as they don't seem to publish numbers on their site). But the York Community stadium has a capacity of 8.5K, and is a cracking little ground that could generate a decent atmosphere (I've only visited with Bradford City in a pre-season friendly). So it seems like a pretty decent fit in an expanded SL.

Is the womens' Rugby League team at York now regarded as one of the better teams?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Oct 2025 ==

As for the existing Salford Reds entity, it will almost certainly be ordered to be wound up at the end of October when HMRC don't get paid what they're due. The High Court hearing is on the 29th.

Not long to go now to see what will happen. What nationality are the current club owners?

As the ground is now owned by the local authority and Sale Sharks use it as their current home ground, I know they are in a different code, but does anyone on this thread know what Sale Sharks plans are for moving to a new stadium?

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Bradford Bulls have been regraded 10th in the Grade B team rankings and will take part in the new expanded 14-team 2026 Super League. Salford Red Devils were downgraded to 15th in the Grade B team rankings which, irrespective of their current problems, mean that they would not be competing in that league if still continuing.

The grading system makes the sport of rugby league a laughing stock. How many RL clubs have fallen by the wayside in the last 50 years while the lunatics run the asylum? My team, Bramley, was one of them. I now only go to one or two RL games a year as a consequence.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is the womens' Rugby League team at York now regarded as one of the better teams?

I'd say so. York Valkyrie finished 3rd (of eight) in season 2025.

Not long to go now to see what will happen. What nationality are the current club owners?

Who really knows? Think one of the consortium was possibly Swiss. Others maybe from New Zealand (of Maori heritage). The common link is that they didn't seem to have any money to invest in (i.e. bail out) the financially-challenged Salford Reds club.

As the ground is now owned by the local authority and Sale Sharks use it as their current home ground, I know they are in a different code, but does anyone on this thread know what Sale Sharks plans are for moving to a new stadium?

Are they still planning on moving? Not sure they still are. Sale Sharks have only just signed (last month) a multi-year deal to stay on at the Salford Community Stadium. Previous plans to move back to Crossford Bridge in the Sale area were binned in 2020.