Mike Grady hopes move to ‘recreate the Shed’ will lift Salford RLFC against Hunslet

Salford boss Mike Grady says he hopes the decision to change where the team enter the field to the South Stand will give his players a “massive boost” in their upcoming Championship match against Hunslet.

As part of a move to ‘recreate the Shed’ – the famous terrace at Salford’s former ground, The Willows – players will enter the field of play from the terraced South Stand instead of the seated West Stand.

Salford, who had just weeks to scramble together a playing squad after being granted a place in the Championship by the RFL, have been beaten in both their two home games so far this season, against a strong Oldham side on opening day and by Super League Hull FC in the Challenge Cup.

Ahead of a game against winless Hunslet, Grady spoke about the decision to change where the players will enter the field.

He said: “We are now going to go out of the South Stand, come under there instead of under our normal entrance, so hopefully that’ll bring a few in and buzz a few people up. Hopefully, there will be a few people there supporting us and cheering us on.

“The support here is fantastic, so anything like that is sure to galvanize and the noise is going to be loud.

“I’m hoping that’ll give us that extra couple of per cent when we’re on that field. These last few games at home, the Oldham game, the Hull FC game, I’ve never heard a crowd like it and even after the final whistle, the fans are still singing.

“It will be a massive boost for us, for the players, for the club and will make it an occasion.”

Asked where he thinks the game against Hunslet will be won and lost, he said:

“Probably in the middle. I’d say if we can get on top of them, then there’s a chance.

!I’d have to say in most rugby games, whoever’s going forward, better, faster and stronger, then that’s where it’s generally won, so if we can get on top, then it would be good.

“It would be nice to get on top of the game and play a bit of rugby, but we’ve got to get on top first in the middle.”

Salford RLFC will take on Hunslet RLFC at the CorpAcq Stadium on Sunday, 15 February, 3pm kick-off.