Newly appointed Salford RLFC chief Ryan Brierley said he has received “mind-blowing” support since retiring to take on the role at the resurrected club.
The former Salford captain called time on his playing career at Oldham to return in December and admitted it feels almost uncanny that the two sides will meet in the opening game of the Championship season.
Before walking out on stage in front of thousands of Salford fans at a fans forum event held at the CorpAcq Stadium on Monday, he spoke candidly about his expectations for the team and reflected on his whirlwind start to life off the pitch.
The 33-year-old was headhunted by Mason Caton-Brown’s consortium to lead the club into the new season. “It was such an honour that they felt I could do the job, so I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to give it my best shot,” he said.
“I’m hoping to be as honest and transparent as I can and to deliver for the Salford fans. I’m here to do a job and I want to succeed with the club I love.”
Asked about the subplot of Salford being pitted against his former employers Oldham in the opening game of the season on Friday January 16, he joked: “It’s a strange one, isn’t it?
“I was going to be here regardless, playing for Oldham or in this role.
“I think the match on Friday night will be pretty special.”
It has been a baptism of fire for Brierley so far, with just 25 days between Salford being granted a place in the Championship and their imminent season opener.
But Salford RLFC’s new CEO has enjoyed being thrown into the deep end and said the team around him have been crucial in steadying the ship.
He said: “It has been crazy. We are not just building a team, we are building a business and I have no experience of that.
“I can’t fault the help I’ve received from sponsors and staff members who have jumped out to offer support. While we’ve been working 15-hour days, I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
Brierley added that this season was about building a community and a connection.
He said: “I think what I’ve learned in such a short space of time is mind-blowing, really.
“I will make mistakes, I guarantee, but I’m committed to working as hard as ever to make the club successful.”
