Salford v Hull Kingston Rovers.

A lot is made of the Magic Weekend and quite rightly so it’s  an event that Rugby League supporters really enjoy. Newcastle is a very exciting City and having spent quite a bit of time in the North East over the years with my family I must say I am glad the Magic round has returned to St James’ park in 2025. 

My wife’s sister and her family live just outside Newcastle in a suburb called Benton. It’s a beautiful place and just up the road is Tynemouth a village on the coast. 

I’ve always had a soft spot for Newcastle, I think it comes from when Kevin Keegan managed the football team and of course my love of Auf Wiedersehen pet. 

With all that said though it’s just another league game with two points on offer. 

Last Saturday once again Paul Rowley had to put out a very young side with so many first team regulars missing. Add to that the players who’ve left the club and it’s quite a turn around. This week the vastly experienced Chris Atkin has left to join Castleford and youngster Josh Thewlis has been recalled from his loan by Warrington. 

We knew we were going to be up against it last Saturday against Leigh but once again the spirit and commitment the lads played with was outstanding. In fact I thought we shaded it in the second half and had Leigh on the back foot at times. We created lots of chances but didn’t quite have the composure to finish them off. With the spine of the team and the personnel changing every week I think your always going to lack that cohesion.

I don’t tend to be shocked by anything in Rugby League these days but reading the various stories regarding the NRL and a rebrand it did upset me. 

What’s in a name?

I’ll tell you then! One hundred and fifty years of history and memories. Lance Todd, Gus Risman, Dixon, Coulman, Watkins, pioneers of Friday night, Brian Snape, the glorious North stand and the Willows, Gibbo, Tex Evans, Mark Lee. Bouncing back from relegation’s, ending Wigan’s cup domination as massive underdogs. Million pound miracle’s, battling through adversity as constant underdogs, Jackson Hastings and Brodie Croft men of steel plus so much more. 

You can’t manufacture these things, you can throw money at a franchise and hope people turn up to watch it but will that work in the long run. To be honest I couldn’t care less. If a Manchester franchise is what the people with the money and power want then inevitably that’s what they will get. That said their is no way a Manchester team should get to take the identity and history of Salford RLFC. The new brand should start as a new club. Everything that belongs to Salford should stay with Salford and if that means picking up the pieces in a lower league then as unfair as that sounds that’s what should happen. 

There are 92 professional football clubs and 35 professional, semi professional rugby league clubs. No way would any of those clubs want to change their identity and throw away their history. It’s absolute sacrilege.

I’ve lost enough sleep already this season so I am trying to play this down at the moment. I did read a few comments from Salford supporters who didn’t seem to mind a ‘rebrand’. I am sorry but I can relate to them at all. I wasn’t wired up that way. The thought of life without Salford RLFC in it doesn’t bare thinking about. It’s not just a bit of a hobby for once a week, it’s everyday. We think, talk and worry about our clubs that’s what makes being a supporter so special no matter who your team is. 

On a more positive note I think we have some great supporters who watch our club. Some devoting huge parts of their lives to it. I am pretty sure if the worse thing happened these people would be their to breath life in to our club and make sure it survives as Salford.

Before I move on I’ll leave you with a heart warming message I received from a very good friend of mine Steve Moyse. Steve is Swinton RLFC royalty but also someone who loves the great game of Rugby League, he’s a man who I greatly admire.

“The very thought of the formation of ‘ Manchester Reds ‘ makes me feel sick ! To many clubs have sold ‘ the family silver ‘ and for what ? Some it would appear are even prepared to sell their very soul.

Who is prepared to trade the heritage of James Lomas, Lance Todd, Billy and Dai Watkins, John Hoskison, Coulman, Dixon, Paul Charlton, Jackie Brennan, Harold Riley, John Wilkinson to name but a few of so many.

Whether it’s playing in Super League or North West Counties it is the very name of SALFORD that stands proud. It is sacred and it is heritage, don’t betray it or those who have gone before us. It remains Salford or nothing….and certainly not for a new christening and even more ‘ thirty pieces of silver ‘. 

Pick up that burning spear and hold tight….for ever”

Super League magic record.

Won 5

Draws 0

Lost 11

2007, Salford 18 Warrington 50 Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2009, Salford 16 Harlequins 24 Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2010, Salford 16 Warrington 68 Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2011, Salford 12 Celtic Crusaders 42 millennium stadium, Cardiff

2012, Salford 38 Huddersfield 34 Etihad Stadium, Manchester

2013, Salford 28 Widnes 22 Etihad Stadium, Manchester

2014, Salford 24 Widnes 30 Etihad Stadium, Manchester

2015, Salford 16 Widnes 38 St James’ Park, Newcastle

2016, Salford 18 Widnes 12 St James’ Park, Newcastle

2017, Salford 36 Leigh 22 St James’ Park, Newcastle

2018, Salford 12 Catalans Dragons 26 St James’Park, Newcastle

2019, Salford 20 Hull Kingston Rovers 22 Anfield, Liverpool.

2021, Salford 18 Castleford 29, St James’ Park, Newcastle.

2022, Salford 18 Huddersfield 30 St James’ Park, Newcastle.

2023, Salford 26 Hull Kingston Rovers 16, St James’ Park, Newcastle.

2024, Salford 0 Leigh 26, Elland Road, Leeds.

They played for both.

Here are a selection of players to have represented The Robins and The Red Devils,

Greg Austin, Colin Dixon, Greg Burke, Chris Charles, Michael Dobson, Sean Gleeson, Darrell Goulding, David Hodgson, Lee Jewitt, Justin Carney, Jordan Walne, Phil Joseph, Tommy Lee, Tyrone McCarthy, Craig Murdock, Cory Paterson, Gareth Price, Scott Taylor, Tony Puletua, Richard Smith, Iain Thornley, Kris Welham, Chris Atkin, Ken Sio, Adam Walker, Ryan Lannon, Sam Luckley Joe Burgess and Niall Evalds.

A magic match to remember Sunday 27th May 2012.

Salford 38 Huddersfield 34.

After four straight miserable defeats at Magic this was a day to remember for Salford and their supporters. Long trips to Edinburgh and Cardiff had been huge let downs with heavy defeats. This match in 2012 was played a little closer to home at The Etihad Stadium, the home of Manchester City.

It was a lovely, warm and sunny afternoon with glorious temperatures, particularly at pitch side.

Salford had gone six matches without a victory and went in to the match as under dogs. The Giants were a big, athletic team with plenty of power and pace in the backs. With talisman Danny Brough guiding them Huddersfield were a tough team to beat.

Salford made the early running and Australian centre Joel Moon made that pressure count when he touched down following Jodie Broughton’s unorthodox palm back of the ball.

Kevin Brown and Luke George responded with tries for The Giants.

Salford then worked the ball from right to left through the halves and Luke Patten slipped the ball to Moon unopposed for his second score.

The Reds extended the lead with a nice try from centre Sean Gleason.

Speedster Broughton squeezed in for another Salford try just before the break to send Phil Veivers side in leading 16-22 at half time.

Leroy Cudjoe had a try chalked off by referee Tim Roby but this only seem to hand the momentum to Huddersfield. Two tries from the enormous Eorl Crabtree edged the Yorkshire side in to the lead.

Salford kept persevering and were rewarded with a try for their honest endeavour when Moon maintained his balance under pressure and offloaded to Broughton who raced in for his second to bring the scores within two as Holdsworth fluffed his conversion attempt.

Adam Sidlow powered over from a neat Stuart Howarth which saw the lead change hands in to Salford’s favour again.

Huddersfield yet again showed their quality when a dummy half break from Jason Chan put Brough in under the posts and he stepped up to convert.

It was end to end nail biting action. The match balanced on a knife edge.

Salford’s seventh try restored the lead yet again. Sidlow, who crossed for a second time to again open up the four-point gap with three minutes to play.

The big forward smashing his way to the line showing tremendous strength.

The Giants spurned late chances with Salford hanging on to win a super match 38-34.

The teams that day;

Huddersfield: Eden, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, George, Grix, Brough, Mason, Moore, Ferguson, Lawrence, Chan, Brown.

Replacements: Crabtree, Robinson, Fa’alogo, Faiumu.

Salford: Patten, Broughton, Moon, Gleeson, Williams, Holdsworth, Smith, Jewitt, Howarth, Sidlow, Ashurst, Nero, Wild.

Replacements: Owen, Anderson, Paleaaesina, McPherson.

Referee: Tim Roby

Saturday’s match.

Hull Kingston Rovers have certainly had the better of Salford in recent seasons. Head coach Willie Peters knows how to get the best out of his team. They are super fit, aggressive in defence and do the simple things right. Their squad is very balanced and the recruitment they’ve made of the last few seasons has been very smart. The Robins are now one of the most feared sides in the Super League as well as being one of the most consistent.

With a Challenge cup semi final looming next weekend don’t expect them to take this game lightly, they are far too professional for that. It’s forty years since Rovers last won a major trophy and they are desperately seeking to put that right. In 1985 Hull Kingston Rovers beat Castleford 22-15 at Headingley stadium to lift the Yorkshire cup. Back in 1985/86 Australian Gavin Miller won the Man of Steel award as a Robins player. The reigning Man of Steel is Mikey Lewis. On his day a thrilling player who can create havoc for opposing defenders. Tyrone May is a perfect halfback partner for Lewis and the pace they posses on the edges is pretty frightening.

The signing of Arthur Mourgue from Catalans was another statement of intent and as well as having one of the best packs in the league Rovers hooker Jez Litten is in the form of his career. 

How do Salford approach what seems a daunting task then? I spoke to youngster Jonny Vaughan on Tuesday night this week and he’s looking for a fast start. The Red Devils need to get amongst the action early and try and knock the Rovers off their game. That’s not an easy task though and everyone is going to have to step up and play big minutes again. 

One Salford player about to reach a milestone is Jack Ormondroyd. If he plays on Saturday it will be his one hundredth appearance for the Red Devils. 

For me as a supporter these are the games you want to shout a bit louder at. The players need us and are very grateful for the noise and passion on the terraces. 

I am not going to attempt to try and call the starting lineup Paul Rowley will go with. 

One things for sure though, every Salford supporter on Saturday will do their bit to push our great club through these difficult days. I for one am very proud to be a part of that.

Safe travels and have a wonderful weekend.

The action gets under way at 5:15pm.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.