Salford Red Devils fire sale imminent with salary cap and quota dispensations considered

[WarriorWinger]

You would hope that if the sale goes ahead players will b loaned to Salford to allow them to at least complete the season.

Looking at their statement it’s clear they where hoping for council help now given my local council can barely empty bins and get grit on the roads it was always a long shot Salford council could spend money on sport it was to say the least a long shot in these hard times

Its one of those thing re loans, Wigan for example would benefit in theory if they loaned some of our fringe players, but if they are getting smashed every week would it have a negative impact? I agree they'd be getting good SL game time but at what detriment to their development

from the statement there's a couple of things that stand out. the 1st you've highlighted, in that they've been waiting on council money, which was deferred, deferred, deferred and then cancelled, and another statement in there which i find troubling

“We were not given a clear timeline for compliance on required expenditure reductions, therefore the Club took the decision to hold our position for the short-term while investor negotiations are ongoing.

Either the RFL or the Salford board are incompetent if they dont believe there was a timeline for getting this resolved

I think we can all guess it was the RFL who were incompetent and didn't give Salford a timeline.

SL clubs voted against the changes to cap etc. so now the clubs should look to help out Salford collectively. If each blub loaned say 1-2 players to them, they could cut their wage bill and probably have a really competitive team at the same time

[the pieman]

You would hope that if the sale goes ahead players will b loaned to Salford to allow them to at least complete the season.

Looking at their statement it’s clear they where hoping for council help now given my local council can barely empty bins and get grit on the roads it was always a long shot Salford council could spend money on sport it was to say the least a long shot in these hard times

Its one of those thing re loans, Wigan for example would benefit in theory if they loaned some of our fringe players, but if they are getting smashed every week would it have a negative impact? I agree they'd be getting good SL game time but at what detriment to their development

from the statement there's a couple of things that stand out. the 1st you've highlighted, in that they've been waiting on council money, which was deferred, deferred, deferred and then cancelled, and another statement in there which i find troubling

“We were not given a clear timeline for compliance on required expenditure reductions, therefore the Club took the decision to hold our position for the short-term while investor negotiations are ongoing.

Either the RFL or the Salford board are incompetent if they dont believe there was a timeline for getting this resolved

I think we can all guess it was the RFL who were incompetent and didn't give Salford a timeline.

SL clubs voted against the changes to cap etc. so now the clubs should look to help out Salford collectively. If each blub loaned say 1-2 players to them, they could cut their wage bill and probably have a really competitive team at the same time

Salford have still got a lot of work to do there is no doubt about it. in one of my previous posts they need to lose the best part of 10 players based on an average player salary of £84k (2.1m/25), so they aint going to have much of a squad left to compete. At 10 players thats 1 per SL club to take them on, unless there are any cash rich championship clubs who can afford to pay their wages.

the bit about loaning i agree with, but as i mentioned previously, it could work well, but at the same time, may also work negatively if they are getting beat up and bashed every week, so Wigan would need to be mindful of who was loaned and the impact on them when they returned to Wigan

[josie andrews]

League 1 club answer Salford Red Devils' SOS call with rugby league's spirit on show

Keighley Cougars have made a generous offer to Salford Red Devils in their current plight.

Keighley Cougars will play Salford Red Devils in a pre-season friendly next week, and the League 1 club will cover the travel costs of the cash-strapped Super League club.

The West Yorkshire club has confirmed plans for a match between the two on Sunday, January 26th, with Keighley also set to get their non-playing players to host a bucket collection that will help cover the expenses of the Salford players.

The Reds are currently going through a financial crisis, one that has now resulted in them needing to sell their players to cut costs and, hopefully for them, garner transfer fees.

And that has seen Keighley step in to try and help them out. In a statement, the Cougars said: "On Sunday January 26th the Cougars will host the Red Devils in a pre-season clash. With Salford’s ongoing issues, Keighley have offered to pay the Red Devil’s transport costs with the help of our travel partners, JB Travel become Match Day sponsor.

Salford will send over a young team with a small host Super League players expected to get minutes. Tickets for this fixture are now online priced at £15 for Over 16’s, while Under 16’s remain free of charge. Hospitality is available by emailing steven@cougarmania.co.uk priced at £50 per head.

"On the day, our non-playing players will host a bucket collection to help raise funds towards Salford’s player expenses. "

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... d-30798967

[the pieman]

its good to see Keighley offering to do something, but a few quid from a collection / gate receipts isnt the solution. That doesnt reduce Salfords outgoings to £1.2m, and will probably not even get noticed in the grand scheme of things. As i posted yesterday short term income isnt what Salford need

[josie andrews]

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL have released a statement in response to Salford Red Devils’ despair.

The Super League club were directed by the RFL earlier this week to sell players in a bid to raise the necessary funds to reach the £1.2 million sustainability cap imposed on them.

That has left Salford fans frustrated at what that could potentially mean for their beloved club after an advance of £500,000 central distribution funding helped the Red Devils survive December.

Now, after Salford had explained that stadium and council grant delays further hampered the club’s ability to be financially secure, the council has responded.

The statement from Salford City Council reads: “Following the recent statement issued by Salford Red Devils, a council spokesperson said: “Salford City Council is aware of current difficult financial position of Salford Red Devils RLFC. Salford Red Devils have faced challenging circumstances in the tough environment which Rugby League finds itself across the country. Yesterday’s statement from Salford Red Devils will be a great disappointment to fans and residents of the City of Salford. We share the sadness of Reds fans and the concerns of Rugby League fans across the country.

“As a council we have built up a strong, close relationship with the club over recent years. Elected members and officers have worked tirelessly with the club to find solutions to the issues they were facing. This work has included direct financial support, promoting sponsorship and the acquisition of the remaining 50% in the City of Salford Community Stadium Limited (COSCOS). The acquisition was subject to essential and detailed due diligence but was a necessary step to secure our sports and regeneration aspirations for the land surrounding the Stadium. Our continued ambition for the Salford Community Stadium is to support grassroots rugby and safeguard Salford Red Devils.

“We share the club and the fans ambition to see a Salford Red Devils which is financially sustainable and can continue to compete in the Super League. We will continue to support, engage and work with Salford Red Devils, the RFL and any potential investors in the club.”


https://www.totalrl.com/salford-city-co ... s-despair/

[josie andrews]

Castleford Tigers reach Jack Ormondroyd breakthrough with Salford Red Devils fire sale to begin

The Tigers are on the verge of landing a new signing.

Salford Red Devils have accepted a bid from Castleford Tigers for prop Jack Ormondroyd. Rugby League Live can reveal the Reds have agreed to sell the forward for a transfer fee, with Ormondroyd set to become the first player to leave the club since they revealed the need to cut their costs.

The Tigers must now agree personal terms with the 33-year-old, who has spent the last five seasons with the Reds and has also previously played for Leeds Rhinos and Featherstone Rovers. However, it appears a deal is now imminent.

Rugby League Live revealed earlier this week that Castleford were keen to sign Ormondroyd, having identified him as a player of interest to bolster their pack. The Tigers have been looking for a middle addition throughout the off-season and Salford's situation has seen them able to make a move for one of their players.

Cas coach Danny McGuire knows Ormondroyd from his days at Headingley. The pair played together on five occasions during Leeds' 2017 Grand Final winning campaign. Not it appears they are set to reunite in a player and coach dynamic.

Salford are set to cash in on a number of their players in the coming weeks as part of a process that has seen them instructed to cut their costs by around £800,000. The likes of Kallum Watkins, Marc Sneyd and Nene Macdonald are among the players set to command interest.

But for now, Ormondroyd appears likely to be the first to move in a deal which will see Castleford secure the front-line prop they have been looking for.

The Tigers have already added quality across their squad, signing the likes of Daejarn Asi, Judah Rimbu, Zac Cini and Jeremiah Simbiken. They hope to improve on last year's tenth-placed finish.


https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... 48a1cfd938

[josie andrews]

Salford Red Devils hoping to complete takeover deal this week

SALFORD chief executive Paul King is hoping that a proposed takeover of his club will be completed by Tuesday and that the RFL will respond to the new ownership by withdrawing its requirement for the Red Devils to reduce their salary cap spend for the 2025 season to £1.25 million.

King insists that no deals have been agreed for other clubs to acquire Salford players, although he admits that some discussions have taken place.

But following last week’s decision not to give salary cap exemptions to Super League clubs to allow them to bid for Salford players, there are only a limited number of clubs that would be able to add new players to their salary cap, while the RFL is not allowing Salford to register players until it can comply with its reduced salary cap.

“We can sell to only four clubs – Castleford, Wakefield, Leigh and Hull, although that might change by this Wednesday following another RFL meeting,” King told League Express.

“We have been offered a minimal transfer fee, for example, for one of our leading players.”

At this Wednesday’s meeting League Express understands that the clubs will agree to a two-week period in which the above four clubs will be able to bid for Salford players with a view to reaching the maximum salary cap level.

After that period expires, all the clubs will be given a dispensation to sign any Salford players who remain unsigned, on the assumption that Salford’s reduced salary cap is still in place.

King is reluctant to reveal details of the potential new investors because of non-disclosure agreements that have been signed, but he believes that the prospect of a final agreement is now within touching distance.

“The sale of the club is still on track and we are confident that if it goes through and we have the salary cap restriction removed, then we could have a very successful season with our current squad,” he added.

However, King is also conscious of the damage that has been done to the club by the recent speculation about its future.

“We have had several supporters demanding refunds on their season tickets. I withdrew from social media two months ago but I’m conscious of some of the conspiracy theories that have been linked to me on social media, with all sorts of ridiculous claims.

“The fact is that I’ve mortgaged my house to give personal guarantees to the bank and if the club were to go into liquidation, then I would be bankrupted and I would lose my home.”

King has been criticised for spending decisions that relied on promises from Salford Council early last year for a grant of £315,000, which he discovered on November 4 last year wouldn’t be forthcoming.

“The budgeting process always involves projecting future income and expenditure and inevitably that means that some anticipated income may not transpire,” he said.

“But none of the contracts with players were agreed after November 4.

“In addition I would point out that the completion of the deal for Salford Council to buy the stadium was originally set for 2023 and, now that it has been done, we are still waiting for a meeting to clarify the rent and our ability to generate income from the stadium in future.

“It has also been frustrating not being able to start work on the giant screen that will be attached to the stadium and that will allow us to generate significant amounts of advertising income.

“But I am conscious that I don’t want to be perceived as moaning about the Council. I don’t blame them; they are entitled to have other priorities.

“I’m the CEO and accept full responsibility; that’s the burden of leadership, sometimes you’re the hero and sometimes the villain. I’ve never claimed I’ve got everything right.

“I walked in as a fan and put my hand up because nobody else would.

“I’ve given it my best shot and we’ve had our most successful period since the 70s, so I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.

“Now I’m working flat out to ensure my legacy isn’t being the guy at the helm when the club goes under.”

https://www.totalrl.com/salford-red-dev ... this-week/

[josie andrews]

Super League clubs to discuss Salford crisis again with new meeting planned

Super League clubs will reconvene this week to discuss the ongoing situation at Salford Red Devils: and the prospect of granting one another exemptions to sign their star players.

The clubs met earlier this month and ultimately voted against exemptions to the Super League salary cap and overseas quota: despite Salford themselves voting in favour. That would have effectively made their job of selling talent easier after being ordered to find buyers ‘without delay’ by the Rugby Football League.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/su ... ng-planned

[Charriots Offiah]

SALFORD CITY COUNCIL have released a statement in response to Salford Red Devils’ despair.

The Super League club were directed by the RFL earlier this week to sell players in a bid to raise the necessary funds to reach the £1.2 million sustainability cap imposed on them.

That has left Salford fans frustrated at what that could potentially mean for their beloved club after an advance of £500,000 central distribution funding helped the Red Devils survive December.

Now, after Salford had explained that stadium and council grant delays further hampered the club’s ability to be financially secure, the council has responded.

The statement from Salford City Council reads: “Following the recent statement issued by Salford Red Devils, a council spokesperson said: “Salford City Council is aware of current difficult financial position of Salford Red Devils RLFC. Salford Red Devils have faced challenging circumstances in the tough environment which Rugby League finds itself across the country. Yesterday’s statement from Salford Red Devils will be a great disappointment to fans and residents of the City of Salford. We share the sadness of Reds fans and the concerns of Rugby League fans across the country.

“As a council we have built up a strong, close relationship with the club over recent years. Elected members and officers have worked tirelessly with the club to find solutions to the issues they were facing. This work has included direct financial support, promoting sponsorship and the acquisition of the remaining 50% in the City of Salford Community Stadium Limited (COSCOS). The acquisition was subject to essential and detailed due diligence but was a necessary step to secure our sports and regeneration aspirations for the land surrounding the Stadium. Our continued ambition for the Salford Community Stadium is to support grassroots rugby and safeguard Salford Red Devils.

“We share the club and the fans ambition to see a Salford Red Devils which is financially sustainable and can continue to compete in the Super League. We will continue to support, engage and work with Salford Red Devils, the RFL and any potential investors in the club.”


https://www.totalrl.com/salford-city-co ... s-despair/

The council could sanction a loan! If the Red Devils go to to the wall then the council loses stadium income.

[buttmonkey2]

I've read on "X" that if Salford's takeover falls through that SL is considering emergency plans to run with either an 11 team competition or promote Bradford (heaven knows why)