Amateur rugby league clubs across the city have welcomed Salford RLFC’s decision to launch a new programme aimed at strengthening ties with the wider community.
Last week, Salford players went to their second community training session with a local amateur club.
Their players completed a training session at Folly Lane ARLFC in Swinton before going to speak, take photos, and sign autographs with fans.
Folly Lane chairman Gary Woodward said community engagement had improved under the new ownership of Salford RLFC compared with Salford Red Devils, the former incarnation of the club that was liquidated in December over unpaid debts.
Gray noted that he had spoken to Paul Hancock, a local businessman and director who is part of the consortium chosen by the RFL to resurrect the club.
“In the past, we’ve had a lot of false dawns, you get promised so much and get nothing,” he said. “I did say to Paul Hancock, I’m still slightly sceptical, however, it is a good start and if they continue this way, then brilliant.”
Gary added: “It’s a good start.”
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This new project kicked off with the Langworthy Reds two weeks ago and was devised by Hancock as a means of rebuilding the link between local teams and the city’s flagship rugby league club.
After the Langworthy Reds’ community training day, Hancock wrote in a statement on Salford RLFC’s website: “The people at Langworthy made it apparent that this type of engagement was a huge step forward in developing club and community relationships.
“On a personal note, it meant more to me to be able to support and deliver this event than it did on the opening game of the season that is how much it meant to me.”
Bobby Ricci, the Chairman of Langworthy Reds, speaking on how the event exceeded expectations, said: “We had loads of false promises in the past when the old club (Salford Red Devils) was set up, saying ‘We’re going to come down and do training,’ but then it never materialised.”
Ricci said on the new ownership, “They seem to be making a lot more effort to engage with the community clubs.
“They see the value of the community clubs and the amateur clubs in the area. There are a lot of young players in the area who hopefully have the potential to play for Salford in the future.”
The next community training day is set for Friday 5 June, with Eccles-based outfit Salford Roosters.
