Former Salford favourite and stalwart Alan Grice became the 500th Supporters’ Trust member at Friday nights game against Wigan.

Supporters’ Trust board member Paul Whiteside opens the archives on Alan Grice’s career.

Alan a St Helens lad played his amateur rugby with Blackbrook before signing for Salford in May 1970 after a successful trial with the club. Spending almost ten years at the Willows it all began with a debut against Featherstone Rovers in September 1970.

Playing alongside some great players in a golden generation for the club, he earned a reputation as a real tough tackler with a tremendous work rate.

Playing every position in the pack Alan finally settled at prop. A very modest man who just loved playing and would work his socks off wherever he was picked. Holding his own alongside forwards like Peter Smethurst, Mike Coulman, Colin Dixon, Eric Prescott and Billy Sheffield. It’s fair to say he became a real cornerstone of that side.

Alan appeared in the 1972/73 John Player Trophy defeat to Leeds at Fartown. He experienced two Lancashire Cup Finals before tasting silverware in the 1974/75 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final. After a rare 0-0 draw at The Willows, Salford went on to win the replay at Wilderspool against Warrington. Alan played a major part in both our Championship winning seasons of 1973/74 and 1975/76.

After playing 245 matches scoring 4 tries Alan moved down the East Lancashire Road to neighbours Swinton at the start of the 1979/80 season.

After his playing career ended he returned to Blackbrook to help on the coaching side. Eventually Salford would come calling, Albert White heard that Alan had left Blackbrook and persuaded him to do some scouting for the club. Running the rule over the likes of Paul Highton and Stuart Littler, Alan Grice played a big part in bringing some of these players to Salford. Players that would go on to have really strong careers at The Willows.

Although Alan’s a St. Helens lad just speaking to him for a moment you see how much Salford RLFC means to him. I witnessed him do a lovely heart felt speech at the unveiling of The Willows mosaic just recently. He’s still a very keen Salford supporter and in fact a season ticket holder who’s in the west stand every week without fail. Alan’s a very humble man but should feel proud of his achievements in the game of Rugby League. A fantastic ambassador for Salford Red Devil’s and a true gentleman of our sport.

Alan joins Paul Highton and Keith Fielding as Salford RLFC Supporters’ Trust Life Members read more here.