2017 was a strange old season for Warrington. Finishing outside the top 8 saw Tony Smith leave his coaching position after 9 seasons. Smith brought plenty of success with 3 Challenge Cup wins at Wembley in 2009, 2010 and 2012: and the Wolves won the League Leaders Shield in 2011 and 2016.

2012, 2013 and 2016 Warrington were beaten in Grand Finals at Old Trafford but it’s fair to say Smith has moved them on to the next level after years of mediocrity.

Since leaving Wilderspool at the end of the 2003 season Warrington Wolves have never really looked back. Exciting signings have come and gone, crowds have doubled and the whole ethos of a once struggling club has changed.

New coach Steve Price took over prior to the 2018 season. New signings include Mitch Brown, Tyrone Roberts, Bryson Goodwin and Ben Murdoch Masila. Add to that the recent capture of former Wigan star Josh Charnley: The wolves pose plenty of attacking threats all over the field.

Another former Salford star Stefan Ratchford will also be looking for a big game this Saturday.

Salford won 10

Warrington won 12

Draws none

1997 Salford 26 Warrington 14

1998 Salford 14 Warrington 25

1999 Salford 22 Warrington 26

1999 Salford 42 Warrington 26

2000 Salford 31 Warrington 12

2001 Salford 26 Warrington 18

2002 Salford 31 Warrington 18

2004 Salford 18 Warrington 37

2004 Salford 6 Warrington 32

2005 Salford 42 Warrington 10

2006 Salford 35 Warrington 34

2007 Salford 32 Warrington 34

2007 Salford 26 Warrington 32

2009 Salford 18 Warrington 16

2010 Salford 10 Warrington 27

2011 Salford 0 Warrington 60

2012 Salford 48 Warrington 24

2013 Salford 4 Warrington 46

2014 Salford 12 Warrington 28

2015 Salford 16 Warrington 34

2016 Salford 30 Warrington 31

2017 Salford 24 Warrington 14

They played for both

Here are a few players to wear the red of Salford and the primrose and blue of Warrington.

Vinny Anderson, Richie Barnett, Steve Blakeley, Martin Crompton, John Duffy, Phil Ford, Martin Gleeson, Andy Gregory, Danny Halliwell, Neil Harmon, Alan Hunte, David Highton, Danny Lima, Tyrone McCarthy, Francis Maloney, Adrian Morley, Chris Morley, Ben Murdoch Masila, Richie Myler, Adam Neal, Gareth O Brien, Rob Parker, Stefan Ratchford, Stuart Reardon, Ian Sibbit, Kevin Tamati, Mike Wainwright and John Wilshere.

A match to remember 11th August 2006

Salford 35 Warrington 34.

2006 was a special season for Salford and the supporters. The club had made real progress under coach Karl Harrison playing some thrilling Rugby League both home and away. 7 league victories out of the first 9 matches had set the platform for a high position in the league. It was a 5th place finish at the end of the regular season achieving a spot in the playoffs.

This match towards the end of the regular season was a real cracker. Salford had won on the opening day of the season at Warrington by 6-24. This was followed up by another win on Good Friday away at the Wolves 6-22.

The Wolves led 14-12 at the break and stretched their advantage to 22-12 with a Chris Bridge try and a penalty from playmaker Lee Briers.

But the Reds ran in four tries during a blistering 18-minute spell.

Warrington hit back through Michael Sullivan and Brent Grose but an Andrew Dunemann drop-goal kept the Reds clear.

Dunemann was a real star for Salford in 2006, a fantastic organiser and great reader of the game he arrived with a great pedigree after being a real star with Halifax and Leeds previously.

Salford’s tries that night came from Simon Finnegan, Gareth Haggerty, Andy Coley 2, Aaron Moule and Luke Robinson.

The shed was absolutely bouncing as Salford were on the way to breaking new ground in the Super League playoffs.

The team line ups that night were;

Salford: Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Moule, Langi, Dunemann, Robinson, Lima, Alker, Rutgerson, Coley, Finnigan, Charles.

Replacements: Gower, Wilshere, Highton, Haggerty.

Warrington: Grose, Reardon, M. Gleeson, Kohe-Love, Fa’afili, Briers, Bridge, Rauhihi, Sullivan, Leikvoll, Swann, Wainwright, Westwood.

Replacements: M. Gleeson, Barnett, Wood, Bracek.

Saturday’s match

After quite a few years under coach Tony Smith Warrington now have Steve Price in charge. Australian Price is developing his own style of play with the Wolves and they seemed to be getting things right on the field. Two wins at Easter over Widnes and Castleford see Warrington arrive at The AJ Bell Stadium in third place on the league ladder with 12 points. Ben Murdoch Masila makes his return to Salford. The forward was a huge part of The Red Devils success last season being the big attacking weapon with his rampaging runs and a big try contribution.

After a disappointing day at Headingley on Easter Monday Ian Watson and his team have the perfect opportunity to get the season back on track as they look for a 4th consecutive home win.

Enjoy the match everyone.

Paul Whiteside.