Paul Hallam Salford Red Devils

Salford Red Devils Club Chaplain Paul Hallam insists that there is plenty for the fans to be positive about, despite defeat in the Coral Challenge Cup Final at the weekend.

The Red Devils lost out 17-16 to Leeds Rhinos in their first Wembley appearance since 1969.

Speaking via the Club’s social media channels in his weekly thought for the week video, Hallam took the plus points from Saturday’s narrow defeat.

“What a weekend that was. We nearly did it, nearly pulled it off when you think about it being just one point,” he said.

“All the agony, all the ecstasy of those drop goals. When you’re on the receiving end of one, it’s not so clever and not so good but there are loads of positives we can take from this week.”

He continued: “What a fantastic squad we do have, what a great management and coaching team we have. The future has to look bright to any of us as fans.”

Saturday’s game was the Red Devils’ second appearance in a final in the last two seasons, having faced St Helens in last year’s Grand Final at Old Trafford.

With finals now reached in successive seasons, Hallam says Ian Watson’s players are continuing to develop a big-game mindset and hopes that they can continue to build on that record in the years to come.

“It wasn’t like last year’s Grand Final at Old Trafford against St Helens, because we weren’t really in it, we enjoyed the day, but we weren’t really in the game.

“This year, it was so close, and we nearly pulled it off and brought that baby home.

“No one likes losing the final but what we have got now is that final feeling and so as the boss has said, we have to go again.”

Next up for the Red Devils is a return to Betfred Super League action with a visit to the Wigan Warriors on Friday 23 October; 5.30pm start.

The Red Devils’ Club Chaplain is hoping the side can kick on from Saturday’s defeat starting with that trip to the DW Stadium.

“We’ve got Wigan on Friday, so we have to lift the lads and I’m sure they’ll be well up for that.

“In the meantime, let’s carry on and my hope is that through the weekend’s game and through the effort that the lads put in, that more and more people watched this amazing game and became fans themselves.”

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