Preview of 2013 season Salford Reds to Rise again?

The time has come again, the time we have all been waiting for super league 2013 is about to start and we all wait with baited breath about the journey Salford will undertake this season.

As of 8 weeks ago it didn't look like we were going to make the season, crippled by £600k worth of debt and no obvious income streams available the situation looked at best bleak.

So in the next 4 weeks the fans put in a huge effort raising over £35k to try and make a difference. Such generosity by people giving up their time and hard earned money was very touching and showed how much we care about the club
In my opinion then a miricle happened,  just like an angel appearing on your death bed Dr Marwan Koukash made his intentions known through Nigel wood and super league Europe to purchase the club. After a few weeks hard negotiating it looks like The Doctor got what he wanted  and the club has been saved. There has been an outpouring of emotions happiness and relief that the club has been saved. A feel good factor has emerged and currently us fans are riding a wave of positivity going into the start of the season somthing of such strength ive never seen at salford. It can only be a positive thing going into week 1.

New player's for 2013

As I write this we currently have 8 new player's Andrew Dixon, Martin Gleeson and Ryan McGoldrick all solid professionals. Martin Gleeson is genuine class if he stays fit and focused and will ask a lot of questions in attack. From Australia we have purchaed Liam Foran and Vic Mauro from Manly Sea Eagles and Connor Higgins from South sydney on a 3 month trial All three from what I have read and seen on You tube will help us to complete in super league. We also have two players on loan Rhys Williams from Warrington and young fullback Jack Murphy from wigan both have Super league experience and will improve again this season with salford in my opinion. Im hoping that our transfer dealings haven't come to an end for this season as we require a couple of big forwards to put some muscle in our pack. We will have to wait and see if Marwan gets his men.

Predictions for on the field we have to be realistic the start of the season the fixtures have not been kind, we dont have the creativity or experience in the pivot positions, the big forwards or know how to mount a playoff charge. What we have in our favour is youth and heart, what the players have been through over the last few month has obviously brought the players closer together and hopefully when matches become a battle of wills this will come to the surface. I Would like to wish the players of Salford City Reds luck in the journey they are about to embark on this seson. As long as the players give 100% in every game, show pride in the shirt, themselves and the City Of Salford on every occasion they put on the sacred red shirt us the fans will back you till the hilt the the results will look after themselves

Begining of a new era at Salford City Reds

As I write this the takeover of Salford City Reds by Dr Marwan Koukash is about to take place. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to him to Salford with open arms.

From what I have read he seems a very successful man who has worked hard to get to where he finds himself today.
Hopefully his positive attitude towards hard work and being successful will rub off on the club and he, his fresh ideas and his management team will take us to the next level.

I dont expect a quick fix as there is less than 2 weeks before the Super league season starts and with our current squad consisting of grafters, some good kids but lacking that xfactor and a couple of big "go forward" forwards im not expecting miracles or a playoff push.

But money does talk in business and if the doctor has been clever and planned ahead (which is a very un-Salford thing to do) and appears with 8 proven super league quality players with that xfactor then my modest predictions for the season may need changing.

To be honest with you its a relief just to still have a club to support is enough for now. Big applause for the people involved in the #saveoursalford campaign who came running to aid the club in its hour of need.

There are too many to mention as we all dug deep to try and keep the club we love afloat. A special mention should go to Salford stalwart and ultimate club man Paul Highton who is the face of #saveoursalford campaign. He offered to auction his 2003 winning grandfinal shirt which obviously meant the world to him to raise funds for the campaign. Luckily a plan was hatched by supporters to buy it and give it back. The plan worked a treat it raised £500 and he looked genuinely touched by the gesture. Some things in life are meant to be kept by the people who earned them.

So to the future where do we go from here?

I dont see why all the momentum built up with the #saveoursalford campaign should be lost, how many times do us fans say "the club should do this and that". Now with this vehicle and salford city reds independant supporters trust FOREVER REDS (have you joined? If not why not?) we have the ability to go out there and promote the club in a positive light in the local community while raising money for the clubs academy players the possible stars of tomorrow.

As for the club I think it would be unfair for me to say "Doctor you need to fix ABC" so early in his stint of ownership at Salford and with his own management team in place ill presume that he has plans.
But I will give him one piece of advice try and reconnect to the people of Salford and brand the reds as "their team" giving them a sence of ownership and pride.

Successfully balance that with promotions in Manchester highlighting Salford as "THE team to watch in your local area" then maybe just maybe who knows how far you can take Salford forward.