Start your engines. ..

Well what an exciting 1st few weeks of the season to be a Salford fan. The good Dr and his carefully chosen management team have been busy making headlines in both the regional and national press which is great.
We have been linked with serious offers for likes of Sam Tomkins,; Rangi Chase, Adrian Morley and Luke O'dwyer. This has put the wind up a few in the rugby league family that salford may start walking the walk as well as talking the talk.

Personally we have lacked go forward in the last few years so the signings of Darrell Griffin and Vic Mauro is a massive step in the right direction.
On the field we have been improving winning our last game at home to Hull KR.A victory which many Reds would not have predicted 10 minutes in to the 2nd half.
The players showed a lot of heart to battle back to win and its a good sign that when times are hard which they will be at times this season they will dig in and that as fans is all we can ask.

Drinks in the fans bar 

Another massive improvement on the match day experience is the new and improved fans bar. With classic Salford games being shown before the game on large TVs, interviews with past and present players and decent beer prices this is certainly becoming the must go place before and after a game for any red. If you haven't tried it yet do...you won't be disappointed.

Last week I bumped into Salfords new CEO Ed Farish when he joined the Dr in the bar to enjoy post match celebrations with the fans.
He seemed like a good bloke totally focused on the job in hand, loves his rugby league and willing to listen to the average Joe fan like me which is a good sign.
He was also a guest at the last Forever Reds supporters trust meeting (www.foreverreds.co.uk) and was a very good and informative guest.

I'm totally confident the structure we have in place will take us to the next level both on and off the field.
While I was in there I purchased a Retro Salford RL man bag / kit bag from Forever Reds. It is fabulous, Certainty the best thing produced in years both officially and Unofficially from the club so a little hat tip for the boys who produced it I hope there is more to come.

Another good thing happening is supporters buses running from Walkden, Irlam and Cadishead.
Lots of reds live in these areas and if promoted correctly through schools and local clubs in these areas will further improve supporter numbers coming to games. 

Do YOUR bit...promote. ..share and click 

So with Salfords social media / marketing team going hell for leather at present bombarding us with positive news regarding the club its up to us fans to do our bit and help promote the club.
The 350 people who are not already Salford fans on my social media outlets get a healthy supply of Salford news / reviews / posters to read through and digest.

This has worked so far very well with lots of interest regarding tickets and even Tweeting / Facebooking congratulatory messages about salfords 1st win.
Supporting Salford is like an addiction to some but we all started somewhere whether it was at school or through family we all started on the journey with a introduction to the club we have grown to love.

 From little acorns big trees grow and if a positive Salford news story arrives on a lapse Salfords fan news feed or a person who enjoys sport sees an opportunity to give watching rugby league a go with their local rugby team one click of a button and it may change their lives in a positive way forever.

So do your bit "copy share and click"

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.

A call to arms for the people of Salford

As news  broke about Salford councils decision to refuse its only professional sports team a loan of £750, 000 to keep it going until a more permanent owner could be found, my heart sank.

After 124 years of representing the city of Salford both nationally and internationaly on occasion its now looking likely to be involved in a huge fight for survival.

Mistakes have been made and now as a fan of this great club I don't feel it's a time for finger pointing by both club or fans.

The club have issued a statement asking if fans would be interested in public meeting to discuss how the club can move forward.
I do believe if you are a Salford fan who reaily cares about the club and its future I urge you to move heaven and earth to get there.

The meeting should not be a opportunity for a minority to get on their soapbox and go through chapter and verse about what is right and wrong with the club
This meeting is to build bridges between club and fan, hopefully the club will realise that not every fan has a stick to beat them with and everyone can move forward to a better future.

Salford city reds is more than a rugby club, it's a virtual religion for many. A place where boys grew up to be men and many lessons in life have been learned for many. 

It's been a constant in so many lives both for the people of Salford and the surrounding areas including mine letting it die now would cut deep.

So here is the plan email the club on admin@reds.co.uk and get down there and lets all work together to be part of a rescue package for the only professional sports club in the city of Salford

#saveoursalford

To sit or to stand in the Palm of your hand

As Salford City Reds begin their new life at the new Salford City Stadium many fans are caught in a conundrum which effects how they watch the team.
At the Willows, Salfords previous ground the majority of the fans use stand in the famous "Salford scratching shed" situated on the side of the field.
The terrace was steep and close to the pitch which allowed for super view of the action for the fans apart from the odd metal guider blocking the action and created an intimidating atmosphere for the players on the field.

Unfortunately if lacked the modern facilities of toilets and bar facilities but the majority of us fans didn't bother as we didn't know any different. People had stood in the same yard of space in the same stand surrounded by the same people for 30+ years and got use to the view and bearings when watching Rugby league

As in Rugby league you are unable to pass the ball in a forward direction  in theory when watching a game from the side of the field both teams will move from side to side in front of you so so in both half's of the game you get to see equal amount of the action and the ability to spot the ball being passed forward illegally is also an advantage.

When the plans for the New Salford stadium was 1st Unveiled 5 years ago it was announced that there would be standing sections for fans, as time passed and the original designs were shelved and new designs were created by Peel Holdings / Salford council it became clear very quickly that the standing sections were to be situated behind the goals instead of being on the side of the field.
Down each side of the field the premium viewing area each stand consisted of block of red and blue seats.
Salford city reds premium colour is red so having bocks of blue seats was a shock to the system for some and prompted rumour that local rugby union team Sale Sharks who's premium colour is blue are to share the stadium This eventually happened and both sides have co-existed happily so far. Its in the stadium managements interest for the stadium to be working 365 days a year it makes sense that another sports team will one day also call it home.

Having seats down the side of the field was a crucial detail for me as being a "persistent stander" over the years the thought of having to sit while watching Salford play rugby on the side did strike me with fear.
It not like i stand to break the rules i prefer to stand as I'm quite excitable so anything exciting happens i jump up screaming encouragement to my team and singing songs to try inspire my team to victory.

 The thought of me having to do this from a sitting position and jumping up to 40 times a game would probably feel like a gym workout by the time the game is over, and that is not taking into account that maybe other people around me might have children who's view i may obstruct when  i stand up.

So when i got the chance to go into the Salford City stadium for the 1st time i took the opportunity to sit on the side and watch a game to see how it felt.
The view was amazing the stand was very steep and it allowed  me to have fantastic views even better than my old position in the shed and there was no need to stand up at all.

 

As the game unfolded in front of me the excitement of following Salford city reds took over  i found myself not as on edge as i would have been standing up, even when Salford scored i found myself just bouncing on my chair and clapping which felt alien to me i didn't even feel like singing as it didn't feel comfortable.

Half time came and i made my way under the stand to the refreshment area to take a look at the facilities available, it was a shock when i noted both a bar and food counters, the service from the staff behind the counter was quick and i was back in my seat in under 2 minutes, getting a beer and pie at the willows consisted of me having to walk half the length of the field and stand in 2 separate Ques and usually making it back to my spot 10 minutes later just as the teams came out again

The 2nd half started and it was much like the 1st half i had no obstructive views of the action, all the floodlights worked it looked so shiny and new. As the game finished i left my seat and in the back of my head i thought that it didn't feel like id being watching salford today it wasn't as exciting (even though we had won) so i decided that the next game i attend id stand behind the goal to see if it felt any better.
*** The 2013 season started with a friendly with wigan and with the East stand open I thought I would give it a go and see what it was like. The view of the field is very intimate compaired to its bigger brother the west stand on the other side of the ground. You feel very close to the field and players throughout the game. The stand has a roof on it which is low which alows the noise to bounce of it onto the field. Very much like the shed at the willows would generate a lot of noise. Unfortunately the stand is full of plastic seats so no standing unless you fancy a war with the G4 police. In an ideal world if rail seats which are very successful and safe in Germany and other European countries were installed which allows the choice of seats or standing areas depending on the fixtures would make this stand perfect for rugby league and salford city reds. In its current form potential atmosphere wise its better than the west stand we shall see what happens in the future. ***

 
When i 1st started watching salford 20 years ago me and my dad watched from behind the goal in the North stand, the terrace was very very steep as the club planned to put seats in that part of the ground but never got round to it.
The added height allowed you to have some super views of the ground and the surrounding areas so watching rugby from this position wasn't alien to me.

I was looking forward to watching a game from behind the goals partly because of a bit of walking down memory lane watching with my dad in the North Stand and because as a Manchester United fan and having Stretford End as a Spiritual home it would be interesting too see if Salford could do somthing similar with the South stand in the Salford City Stadium.
I feel that having the more vocal fans situated behind a goal which your team is attacking or defending gives the players a lift and helps them relax and perform better in situations of high anxiety.

I made my way on to the terrace and immediately i found the height was an issue, The view immediately in front of me was very good, any actioned when attacking my side of the field i could see in great detail.
The terrace isn't very steep and shallow so the view of the other end of the field wasn't great, when the play crossed half way it became difficult to judge distances, as our opponents were situated behind the other goal it was difficult to get any interaction or banter between the two sets of fans.

As the game got started and with Salford attacking the other end of the field the South Stand found its voice helped with roof that projected the noise onto the field rather than keeping it in the stand like Salfords old shed in my opinion helping the team defend the goal with much more vigour and aggression perhaps generated by the adrenalin pumping though the players veins with the noise immediately behind them.

In the 2nd half Salford were attacking our end and it was exciting watching the action up close and personal, there was lots of singing the team was performing and it felt that being situated behind the goal salford were attacking helped them continue their good form though the whole of the second half.
Salford were defending the goal at the other end of the field, even though it was difficult to judge how  far our opponents were from our goal line the players seem to embrace the change and defended brilliantly though out the 2nd half
After an exciting 2nd half full of action Salford won the game with 40 yard penalty kick which sailed gloriously over the posts and into our stand with 2 minutes to go, everyone was jumping up and down with excitement  happy and singing positive salford songs the stand had become alive.

At this point i realised that i had found my new spot at the Salford City Stadium to watch Salford City Reds play. I can stand up and watch the match with my friends and the view isn't that bad the more i watch the game from salfords South stand the more i will get use it and it will become second nature before too long.
The View of the field from the West Stand are outstanding and i urge any new fans with families who are interested in watching Salford City Reds to use its facilities it has available, The new fans bar with both salford and sale memorabilia on the walls gives the stadium a personal touch which us fans craved from day one....and a warm bar area to boot. When i start to bring my young son to matches i will relocate into that stand for sure as its certainly more family friendly than the South stand.

Why do i love Salford Red Devils?

Why do i love Salford RLFC? the short answer its the fans that make watching salford worth it, I started by salford education back in the early 1990s watching Wayne Read, Tex Evans, Gibbo all producing moments of magic and despair in equal measure.

Its difficult to pin point a time when salford got me, Beating Keighley in the 2nd division final at Old Trafford, beating Wigan in the challenge cup, the challenge cup runs in the 97 98 season 2 challenge cup semifinals semi finals big crowds exciting rugby league, i started going home and away 99 1st game was hull away on a Wednesday night in the back of a van with no windows with a bloke called Steve we lost 18-12 it rained loads and Hudson Smith had a perfectly good try disallowed for a double movement.  Stood behind the goal with 30 or so salford fans getting rained on i knew salford were the team for me. 

It allowed me to live out some fantastic adventures all over Europe from scrapping with tramps in the back streets of Barcelona trying to steal my passport and every euro i owned to Karaoke in deepest darkest Yorkshire on a fun bus with some outstanding people, and with the cost of football it pushed me further into Salford City Reds, the people who I've met, became very good friends. my 2nd family in many ways enjoying the roller coaster ride of being a salford fan through thick, thin, thinner and wafer.

We have all got a bit older and some of us are not as "active" as we were once but i look back at the good times watching salford with a smile on my face thinking "those were the days" lots of heroic victories and epic days out, Pitch invasions against London in the cup in 2000 Warrington 2002, the NFP season and grand final 2003, Castleford away 2004, Catalan 2006 warrington Good Friday 6-24, Jonny Wilshire kicks for glory, Celtic in Bridgend 2008, The million Pound miricle i could go on forever and ever ..

The Shed and the willows was a special place, a place where i grew up and became a man surrounded by like minded individuals all as passionate as me about Salford the city and the team. The Shed was the heartbeat you could smell the testosterone the roar of the crowd the booming noise which floated across the willows pitch as the banners flapped in the wind at the back of the stand

Ive witness some fantastic individual players in the famous red jersey, Andrew Dunnerman, Gavin Clinch, Sean Rutchinson, Malcom Alker, David Hodgson ,Darren Brown and Steve Blakeley these players provided some magical moments while wearing the shirt on the field.

We have also had some great team efforts The Team Andy Gregory built that lead us to promotion and two Challenge cup semi finals had class and heart, the Harrison playoff team in 2006 never gave up with the Influence of Andrew Dunnerman gave us the magic when it was needed.  

Ive watched Salford all over the Europe watched us win fantastic games and lose some epic encounters too, its the yo-yo in salford rugby which makes it worth it id hate if when we get successful we forget about where we came from and became a set of happy clapper foam finger waving jester hat wearing fans that the top teams have or gamble it all away chasing a vison that is unrealistic

So we moved to the AJ bell stadium and when Marwan Koukash took over our club we were at deaths door, after years of under investment the chickens had come home to roost and it was nearly time to bow out. The night in Pendleton Church was heart breaking when former chairman John Wilkinson laid bare the clubs difficulties it was so sad. Many people from that moment worked so hard to save the club. Or prayers were answered and Marwan arrived full of promise for a new beginning.

Its taken a few seasons, some big steep learning curves and a lot of money to get the balance right. The AJ Bell is a modern stadium which has allowed us to grow and offer facilities to fans and players we never had at The Willows. We are now Salford Red Devils which is a hat tip to our history and heritage, the club are involved in our local community clubs and schools building a future fanbase through the Junior Reds.

On the field Ian Watson has created a squad which has the quality to turn our club from nearly men to the real deal. Salford currently lie 3rd in the Super league which feels like a dream compaired to some of the senarios we have had to endure over the years.

I feel  we are on the verge of something great, another great chapter for our club, a moment that Salford Red Devils rise to the top after years of banging around the bottom of the league. The city of Salford will benefit, investment will become available for a successful club, a club which is the jewel in the crown of the city. it will be a great time to be a Red.

 

Despite the clubs unhappiness about attendances and without a full scale, fully funded real life marketing strategy fact is they are up in 2017, the people of Salford are waking up to the fact that this is a special moment.

Fans are hungry again, the fear of a potential name change has spured many on to start promoting the Salford brand again to others in the local community, Time will tell if this is enough, will the club support the fans with this special effort by investing in it and try to take them to the next level?

Marwan the club is going in the right direction. There is no need to change course when your on the way to success.

I'm hopeful the club will make some more memories  for me and my son the same it did for me in the last 20 and he too can enjoy the roller coaster of being a salford fan and the cycle of fan falling in love with a club can start again.

Check out this weeks podcast for all your Salford Red Devils chat. We are joined by David Cambell (@willowsroad) to talk about his new idea of promoting Salford and getting fans involved in, Super leagues Tanya Arnold joins us to talk about salfords season so far we cover all the big stories including Justin Carney and the potential Manchester name change, Dobbo, Bibby and Johnson talk to us about the Widnes win as we preview the game v Wigan on Friday