A Salford Red Devils protest group claim the fourth adjournment to a winding-up petition by HMRC has caused an “existential threat.”
In June, Salford Red Devils were granted an adjournment with another in September to give the club time to secure a bridging loan to settle outstanding debts.
A third adjournment was granted a fortnight ago after the club’s lawyers said “more than adequate” funding had become available to pay creditors and settle the matter “promptly.”
But the club failed to agree on a settlement that would see the case dismissed. Many fans are against the multiple adjournments, instead wanting the club to go into liquidation with new management to take the helm.
The 1873, a fan club in favour of liquidation said: “It is clear now, to most supporters of the club that in its current guise the club cannot service its liabilities.
“The current ownership believes that refinancing that debt to stave off the HMRC petitioner is the best way forward. However, that is a temporary fix to a very long-term problem – especially considering the club’s revenue is set to drop drastically in 2026”.
Some fans are worried that if the wind-up petition gets further adjourned, a phoenix club will not be able to play in the next season, as fixtures for the 2026 Championship season are due to be published.
The 1873 said: “There is a good chance that a newco may take guardianship over the club and enter the championship next season.
“However with every passing day, the chances of that coming to fruition become increasingly less likely.
“We implore that those with the power to intervene do so immediately in order to safeguard the future of Salford Rugby League.”
With liquidation meaning a change in leadership, Salford Red Devil fans have a lot to say when it comes to current management. The 1873 were asked if they had lost faith in the club’s leadership, or in the rugby league system. They answered: “Mixture of both, primarily the trust and faith in those at the club has gone. It cannot be repaired whilst they’re still in control.
“The governing body still holds the power to remove the current club’s RFL Membership and if they are to show strong leadership now, and step in to protect the best interests of the game in Salford, that will go a long way to repairing an already fractured relationship between the NGB and Salford supporters.”
With proceedings still unsettled, it remains to be seen whether the over-century-old institution will fall under like many before, or rise from the ashes under new management in the near future.
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