Ryan Brierley asks major ‘what if’ question as he accepts Salford Red Devils are “the problem”

[josie andrews]

Salford Red Devils captain Ryan Brierley has conceded that the club “are the problem” and that the blame for their current financial difficulties cannot be pinned elsewhere.

In an honest and somewhat emotional interview, the newly-appointed Salford skipper (following the sale of Kallum Watkins) spoke about the current state of the club, admitting that the Red Devils have no one to blame but themselves.

Despite that, he noted that the players are among those being punished the most for the club’s financial mismanagement

Brierley made his arguments when appearing on Sky Sports’ The Bench Podcast alongside hosts Jon Wilkin and Jenna Brooks, with the full-back speaking ahead of last Thursday’s game against Leeds Rhinos.

Salford would lose that game 28-0 with the Red Devils having to field a huge number of academy players as injuries and the restricted salary cap continue to pinch.

Ryan Brierley asks major ‘what if’ question as he accepts Salford Red Devils are “the problem”

Asked about the current situation, which sees Salford in special measures and forced to operate on a £1.2 million salary cap after having requested an advance on their RFL central funding, Brierley was asked if the club were at fault.

“100%, as much as blame will be thrown at others, ultimately we are the problem,” he conceded.

We’ve made the errors, the club have made the errors. We’ve spent too much and we shouldn’t have done it. I’d love to be able to blame everyone else.”

For a number of years, Salford have been seen to overachieve based on their spend and that was in part due to savvy dealings and brilliant coaching, but it was also a result of ambition to field a team that the club simply couldn’t afford in the long run.

With no wealthy benefactor to write off debts, as many Super League clubs do, Salford simply ran out of steam but Brierley recalled how questions were asked as early as 2023.

He explained: “I remember when Brodie Croft signed a seven-year deal asking Paul Rowley if we could still afford our team and the answer was yes, so that’s why they committed to seven years.

“It’s different in rugby league to football, look at Haaland with a ten-year deal, but they know they’ve got an asset that they can sell. It doesn’t normally happen in rugby league.”

Brierley would then ask that if Salford not commanded a fee for Croft and Ackers, believed to be around £300,000, what would have happened.

He said: “We were quite lucky that Leeds paid for Brodie and Andy Ackers because what would have happened if they didn’t? We’d have still had Brodie Croft on a multi-thousand pound contract for a number of years, so where would we have been then?

“We’ve been irresponsible but I think at the moment, the only people being punished are the players which is what I don’t like.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/ryan-bri ... em-103558/

[the pieman]

Salford Red Devils captain Ryan Brierley has conceded that the club “are the problem” and that the blame for their current financial difficulties cannot be pinned elsewhere.

In an honest and somewhat emotional interview, the newly-appointed Salford skipper (following the sale of Kallum Watkins) spoke about the current state of the club, admitting that the Red Devils have no one to blame but themselves.

Despite that, he noted that the players are among those being punished the most for the club’s financial mismanagement

Brierley made his arguments when appearing on Sky Sports’ The Bench Podcast alongside hosts Jon Wilkin and Jenna Brooks, with the full-back speaking ahead of last Thursday’s game against Leeds Rhinos.

Salford would lose that game 28-0 with the Red Devils having to field a huge number of academy players as injuries and the restricted salary cap continue to pinch.

Ryan Brierley asks major ‘what if’ question as he accepts Salford Red Devils are “the problem”

Asked about the current situation, which sees Salford in special measures and forced to operate on a £1.2 million salary cap after having requested an advance on their RFL central funding, Brierley was asked if the club were at fault.

“100%, as much as blame will be thrown at others, ultimately we are the problem,” he conceded.

We’ve made the errors, the club have made the errors. We’ve spent too much and we shouldn’t have done it. I’d love to be able to blame everyone else.”

For a number of years, Salford have been seen to overachieve based on their spend and that was in part due to savvy dealings and brilliant coaching, but it was also a result of ambition to field a team that the club simply couldn’t afford in the long run.

With no wealthy benefactor to write off debts, as many Super League clubs do, Salford simply ran out of steam but Brierley recalled how questions were asked as early as 2023.

He explained: “I remember when Brodie Croft signed a seven-year deal asking Paul Rowley if we could still afford our team and the answer was yes, so that’s why they committed to seven years.

“It’s different in rugby league to football, look at Haaland with a ten-year deal, but they know they’ve got an asset that they can sell. It doesn’t normally happen in rugby league.”

Brierley would then ask that if Salford not commanded a fee for Croft and Ackers, believed to be around £300,000, what would have happened.

He said: “We were quite lucky that Leeds paid for Brodie and Andy Ackers because what would have happened if they didn’t? We’d have still had Brodie Croft on a multi-thousand pound contract for a number of years, so where would we have been then?

“We’ve been irresponsible but I think at the moment, the only people being punished are the players which is what I don’t like.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/ryan-bri ... em-103558/

Good honest interview

I like Brierley as he's been on radio commentary a couple of times when i've listened to our / other games. He gives a really good insight into the game, and what he sees from a players perspective that we may not necessarily see as fans

[fozzie58]

I do t like the podcast if I’m honest,Wilkin comes across as a bore frankly but I did listen to the one with Ryan on he comes across well and speaks with a level viewpoint on the shambles that is Salford it’ll be interesting to see what he does post playing career.

I will say this and Wilkin is absolutely right when he called this take over as nothing more than a land grab is about time someone called it as it is I fear for Salford

[moto748]

I fear for them too, but are the really in the future of the sport? Many would argue that it's partly the fault of the Salfords and the Castlefords and the Wakefields that the game's in the state it's in.

[fozzie58]

I fear for them too, but are the really in the future of the sport? Many would argue that it's partly the fault of the Salfords and the Castlefords and the Wakefields that the game's in the state it's in.

The sad truth is no the sport needs trimming and for some clubs,such as Salford and cas to go part time the talent pool alone isn’t big enough let alone money .

The sport is at a huge crossroads and forward thinking is desperately needed but as usual the sport looks to what hasn’t worked better and bring it back

[PoppaG]

I've got a lot of time for Brierly. Down to earth lad who is down to earth, usually talks sense and has his head screwed on right. Clearly bright and defiantly articulate. Got a good future whether he continues with player management, goes into punditry, etc.

For Salford, I agree with some others saying it looks like their cards are finally marked.

[moto748]

Agree about Brierley. Good player, and a confident speaker who talks sense about the game.