Salford Red Devils say they need a boost in season ticket sales to help them survive 2021.
Devils bosses have revealed they are down almost a quarter of their projected budget income for the year.
As it stands, only around 75 per cent of the total season ticket sales planned for have been bought, which needs to be much higher by the time of the potential return of fans in May.
From the top
Salford’s managing director Paul King, in an interview with The Sun newspaper, said clubs across many sports were struggling financially, and that challenge is being felt by Salford in particular at present.
He said ticket reward initiatives were an extra effort to secure closer to the expected number of season ticket sales to alleviate the financial pressure being felt.
The community club has no benefactor to bail them out which leaves them vulnerable should season tickets and sponsorship not pick up significantly.
The club hope, now fixtures have been announced, people will start to believe they will see some live-action and respond accordingly.
The managing director is really concerned not to fall too far behind given the momentum building from a fabulous couple of years with Grand Final and Wembley appearances.
🎟️ Have you got your 2021 Salford Red Devils season ticket yet?
📞 You can purchase one by calling the ticket office on 0161 786 1570.
🛒 Or buy online here ➡️ https://t.co/Pm9494brDU
💳 DD payments can be made, with the cost spread over five months!
— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) March 2, 2021
Salford will miss out on income for three home games before round 7, when fans will hopefully fill the stands at the AJ Bell Stadium once again.
However, round 7 sees Salford host an early-season clash with last seasons League Leader’s Shield winner and Grand Finalists, Wigan Warriors.
The Red Devil’s will be hoping to see a sell-out of the projected 4,000 capacity that could be available when fans come back.
Red Devil recap
Fixtures
After revealing some huge match-ups, Super League finally released the full fixture list last Friday.
Salford will begin and end the season against last year’s Grand Final winners St. Helens.
Rivals Round sees Salford up against rivals Leigh Centurions, returning to Super League after being relegated in 2017.
Magic Weekend sees Devils versus Tigers at St James’ Park in Newcastle, as Salford clash with Castleford.
😬 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘!!
🆚 Plenty of exciting rounds of action to come in 2021!
🤔 What game are you looking forward to the most?
READ ➡️ https://t.co/VxXi6YEOyh pic.twitter.com/wUW8C9igAA
— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) February 26, 2021
Injuries
Off-season signing from Wigan, winger Joe Burgess, is set to miss the start of the season.
Twenty-six-year-old Burgess has suffered an ankle injury that could require an operation and a 12-week layoff.
Greg Burke underwent a knee operation in the off-season.
The expectation is for Burke to be fit to start the season, although he may miss the opening couple of rounds.
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Salford’s first game of the season against St. Helens will be live at 6 pm on March 26th and shown live on Sky Sports.