Last night we held the first Junior Red Devils Christmas Party of the new era. Supporters’ Trust member Nikki Keenan talks us through how it went!

I was apprehensive when arranging it unsure whether or not it would be popular, the kids would enjoy themselves and whether it would be a success.

But as it was we had nothing to worry about. It was a huge hit. We had so many surprise guests the Juniors Devils did not know where to look first.

As the guests were arriving it became apparent to the Junior Red Devils that along with themselves celebrating were the Salford Red Devils Players and their families special thanks to Junior Sau, Robert “Starman” Lui and Weller Hauraki for taking their time with both the Junior and Adult Red Devil Fans. They are a credit to themselves as well as our Club.

The first special guest to make an appearance was our very own Dr Devil who went down a storm with both the Junior Devils and their Parents. Next we had a surprise guest for our Infant Junior Devil fans when who should arrive but Peppa Pig the place erupted into squeals from the younger fans and needless to say Peppa Pig did a fabulous job entertaining the Infants having pictures taken with them and I’m sure one of the Salford Red Devil Players who were in attendance had his picture took with her too. I’m betting you can’t guess which one.

The next special guest we had was Chase from Pawpatrol again a fantastic hit with the Junior Devils and again that one Red Devil Player who had his picture taken with Chase too!! I’m betting you still don’t know who it was? Answer at the end.

Well after all the excitement of those three guests who were milling around the Junior Devils most of the evening, the music was lowered and the lights turned up and food was opened up and it went down a storm, everything on the menu, Pizza, Sandwiches, Sausage Rolls, Carrott Sticks and dips, Crisps and there was plenty of it that the same Red Devil Player was helping the Juniors out in making sure none was discarded.

After food there was an announcement that a further special guest had arrived the Junior Devils all congregated near the front desk and tried to wake up the special guest who was of course extremely tired given how busy he is at the moment. After a couple of shouts of wake up special guest, there was a ringing sound from a bell and down the stairs came Santa carrying his huge sack of Christmas goodies for our Junior Red Devils.

Santa had all the Juniors sat there listening to him tell them a story and making sure that they were going to be good for their Mum and Dads on Christmas Eve. Santa then met each Junior Devil individually and provided them with a gift of a Selection Box and each of the Junior Devils had their picture taken with Santa. These pictures will be available from the Supporters Trust Facebook Page for you to download and print of to keep.

A further play ensued for an hour with the disco music playing and the Players continuing to oblige in having their photos taken with anyone who asked as well as a certain Player who should have the nickname “the Dervish” was also present on all the apparatus and enjoying the slides was devoed when it was finally time to go home.

A fantastic time was had by all and given the reports we’ve received all our Juniors we’re asleep by the time they reached home.

If you hadn’t guessed already it was Junior “the Dervish” Sau.

A huge thank you to Supporters’ Trust members Nikki Keenan, Joanne Hawkins and Carole Wallwork, Salford Red Devils Foundation, Play Kidd’s Children’s Play Centre and all at Salford Red Devils for their support.