Salford Red Devils’ winding-up petition is set to decide the club’s future this week, with the 152-year-old club staring liquidation in the face.
After a troubled 2025 season saw the Red Devils relegated after finishing 12th in the Super League, miss player and staff wage payments and field teams filled with academy players, the final nail in the coffin could come in court later this week.
Salford’s fate will be decided when a twice-adjourned winding-up order will be heard at a high court in London on Wednesday 29 October.
The club’s financial position has deteriorated significantly of late, with unpaid tax debts to HMRC escalating from the initial £500,000 to £600,000 reported in May 2025 to over £700,000 in various tax obligations, including VAT, PAYE, and corporation tax liabilities.
With the recent news of Red Devils manager Paul Rowley departing the club and joining St Helens, along with four player departures involving Jayden Nikorima to the Bradford Bulls, Sam Davis to the London Broncos and Sam Hill and Declan Murphy also departing. The club looks to be in serious trouble.
Salford dropped to 15th in this year’s IMG ratings. The ratings are based on a set of criteria that include fan engagement, financial stability, community impact, stadium facilities, and on-field performances. As a result, they have been provisionally relegated to an expanded second-tier.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham raised his concerns over the possible administration of the Red Devils: “This club is too important to its fans but also all of us and anyone who cares about rugby league, as I do.
“We will do everything to make sure the club comes back. We had a meeting with the RFL, myself and the Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, and we’ve made the case for the club to start in the Championship, the league below.”
Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, also commented on the serious situation: “We’re saying, because the council owns the stadium, it’s the council who decides who plays there.
“The council are ready to back a reborn Salford Red Devils in the Championship at the Salford Community Stadium, and we’ve put that case to the RFL.
“There is a court case looming with HMRC, so we’ll have to see what’s decided there. I just hope now there’s potentially a path opening up for Salford Red Devils.”
Dennett was also asked about the potential scenario of Salford becoming a phoenix club: “Possibly, I don’t know, that’s for others to decide.
“There’s still a situation going on with the current owners, but I think there is a possible path for Salford Red Devils to play next season in the Championship, but still at the Salford Community Stadium.”
While a promised bridging loan failed to materialise, they were given a second adjournment at the start of September.
If the club are to avoid liquidation later this week, they will compete in an expanded Championship.
The Championship will be combined with League One into a 21-team league, with the possibility of the Red Devils playing local rivals Swinton Lions.
The hearing takes place on Wednesday, 29th October and will decide whether the club is liquidated and put in administration.
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