The Airlie birds of Hull have had some considerable success over the last few years. Back to back Challenge cup titles at Wembley have kept the West side of Hull in good spirits.

Young coach Lee Radford has built a strong side with a big pack of forwards and plenty of talent in the backs including the very talented Marc Sneyd. Many Salford supporters feel that Marc never got a chance in a red shirt after being sent out on loan to Castleford by Brian Noble who was then the coach at Salford. Marc was just beginning to make progress in the first team after coming through the academy set up under the guidance of Alan Hunte. Sneyd is now a house hold name and a very important cog in the Hull FC team.

Josh Griffin is another former Salford favourite plying his trade in Humberside, the centre is in his second season there and is sure to get a good welcome on his return. As far as league form goes our visitors tonight have had a mixed start to the season beating Huddersfield 38-12 in the opening round before their trip to Australia. A defeat to Wigan 24-10 in Wollongong was followed by a 28-18 reverse at Castleford. A hard fought 21-12 victory at home to Warrington a fortnight ago leaves Hull on 4 points in the Super League table. Last week they came up just short at Headingley going down 20-16 to Leeds.

Super League Home Record

Salford won 8

Hull won 11

Draws 0

1998 Salford 12 Hull 4

1999 Salford 38 Hull 18

2000 Salford 30 Hull 22

2000 Salford 33 Hull 24

2001 Salford 24 Hull 36

2002 Salford 10 Hull 24

2004 Salford 8 Hull 12

2005 Salford 12 Hull 22

2006 Salford 20 Hull 24

2007 Salford 18 Hull 35

2009 Salford 14 Hull 18

2010 Salford 27 Hull 20

2011 Salford 16 Hull 32

2012 Salford 24 Hull 22

2013 Salford 18 Hull 24

2014 Salford 35 Hull 22

2015 Salford 32 Hull 28

2016 Salford 20 Hull 28

2017 Salford 10 Hull 34

They played for both

Over the years there’s been quite a few players to represent both clubs, here are a few  pre-Super League era as well.

Paul Fletcher, Richie Barnett, Brian Blacker, Jodie Broughton, Craig Coleman, Josh Griffin, Brad Hepi, Mark Johnson, Daniel Holdsworth, Alan Hunte, Stuart Howarth, Warren Jowitt, Tommy Lee, Ryan Mcgoldrick, Craig Murdock, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Tommy Saxton, Scott Taylor, Jordan Turner, Martin Gleeson and Marc Sneyd.

A match to remember – Sunday 30th May 1999

Salford 38 Hull 18

The Reds revival since the sacking of Andy Gregory had gathered pace nicely with five points from the previous three games and in this match Hull only briefly threatened to halt that little run.

Darren Brown handled no less than three times in the move that saw Gary Broadbent go in for Salford’s first try after 11 minutes, although two of Hull’s youngsters combined for an equaliser, Paul Cooke putting in a precise high kick for Craig Poucher to leap and score.

Crompton’s interception and smart handling from Brown and Bobby Thompson sent Joe Faimalo over to restore Salford’s lead and Malcolm Alker’s strength took him in for another before half-time.

A try from Mark Johnson, who could not get a game under Gregory, was followed by two from Brown. There was some brilliant handling involved in all three, especially when David Hulme and Paul Southern got marvellous passes away to set up Brown’s first.

Hull’s teenage half-backs linked up for Richard Horne to send Cooke in and Fili Seru went 80 yards after picking up a loose pass.

But it all ended happily enough with Smith rampaging down the wing and Brown arriving in time to complete his first hat-trick since 1991. It was a much needed victory at the time for Salford who were struggling in the league table after some really poor league form.

Darren Brown was a key player in that Salford side and his return from injury had been a major factor behind the change in Reds fortunes, Brown also paid tribute to the work of John Foran who was temporarily in charge as caretaker coach following the sacking of Andy Gregory.

The teams that day,

Salford Reds: Thompson; Johnson, Littler, Broadbent, Carige; Blakeley, Crompton; Makin, Alker, Southern, H Smith, Brown, Hulme. Substitutes used: Casey, J Faimalo, E Faimalo, Highton.

Hull Sharks: Prescott; Poucher, J Smith, Campbell, Seru; Cooke, Horne; Harrison, King, Craven, Booth, Schultz, Purcell. Substitutes used: Lee, Barrow, Fletcher, Jackson.

Fridays match

This Friday promises to be another very tough test for Salford. With the news of Gareth O’Brien leaving this week to sign for Toronto and two away defeats at St Helens and Castleford, Ian Watson will be looking for a response from his players. The Red Devils will see Lee Mossop and Craig Kopczack return from injury which will definitely boost the pack. With O’Briens departure Niall Evalds now has the opportunity to make that fullback spot his own. In what has been a a difficult week for supporters it’s vital everyone gets behind the team on Friday night.

Enjoy the match everyone.

Paul Whiteside.

Catch my post match audio interview on this website after the game.