Hull FC v Salford.

I don’t think any of us expected to win on Thursday night but when I saw the starting thirteen at about 6:30pm I knew something wasn’t quite right. Rumours started circulating about payments to player’s pensions with some sources stating this as the reason for senior players refusing to play. 

IMG and this whole points system seems to be dividing our sport massively at the moment. Clubs are trying to justify their own case for being in the top flight in 2026. The situation at Salford is quite unique compared to other clubs. Every week things seem to get worse. It’s very very bleak. I don’t care what the IMG ratings say anymore because at this moment in time how can we continue to compete in the elite competition. The squad continues to get lighter, the players are at crisis point and just seem disillusioned with the actions of ‘the owners’. 

The silence and lack of direction is very disturbing. I don’t see how we can attract players without any financial stability. I think I said it last week but we are stuck in limbo.

We’d all love to know what the plan is and what it has been for the last six months. Perhaps there isn’t one. 

I can’t fault the players despite the 12-74 defeat to Hull Kingston Rovers. I didn’t hear one boo at the full time hooter. Instead the supporters were louder than ever in appreciation to the lads that took to the field. I am not sure what the average age of the side was but the lack of experience was glaringly obvious at times. The supporters have been very protective of the players this season. We can see they are not really up to this level but the way they’ve stood up in utter adversity just shows the character of them. 

Jack Ormondroyd walked past me in the corridor after the match. He had a big gash above his eye. He smiled as always, his attitude is absolutely first class. He’s like a machine and I really hope we can keep hold of him for next season. 

As each week goes by our plight gets worse. The club’s reputation in the sport is battered and bruised but one thing I have noticed recently is the well wishes from supporters of other clubs towards this mess we are in. I think outsiders looking in realise that this is no fault of the supporters, players or staff. We’ve just been caught in the middle of this whole charade. 

A trip to Hull this Sunday is probably the last thing we wanted. If players did refuse to play on Thursday will they still be with us come Sunday?

It was announced last week that Harvey Wilson is leaving at the end of the season to join Catalans. Wilson has blossomed into a very tough competitor in his time at Salford. He’s as brave as they come with a terrific engine and work rate. 

Declan Murphy has been so impressive since he joined the club just recently. It was great news when we heard he was staying for the rest of the season but in the aftermath of the defeat to Rovers it was announced that they had signed him for 2026. It was another cruel blow for us to take on the chin. 

Super League away record.

Hull 22

Draw 

Salford 5

1998 Hull 32 Salford 0

1999 Hull 18 Salford 12

2000 Hull 26 Salford 22

2001 Hull 40 Salford 8

2002 Hull 28 Salford 8

2002 Hull 60 Salford 16

2004 Hull 82 Salford 6

2005 Hull 20 Salford 6

2006 Hull 11 Salford 10

2007 Hull 48 Salford 26

2009 Hull 14 Salford 12

2010 Hull 34 Salford 12

2011 Hull 52 Salford 16

2012 Hull 34 Salford 26

2013 Hull 18 Salford 13

2014 Hull 30 Salford 8

2015 Hull 24 Salford 20

2016 Hull 42 Salford 20

2017 Hull 18 Salford 54

2017 Hull 32 Salford 18 (Super Eights)

2018 Hull 45 Salford 14

2019 Hull 35 Salford 32

2019 Hull 22 Salford 44

2020 Hull 22 Salford 28 (played behind closed doors at Warrington).

2022 Hull 48 Salford 16

2023 Hull 14 Salford 60

2024 Hull 4   Salford 58

They played for both.

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, Josh Jones and Marc Sneyd.

A match to remember Saturday 11th March 2023.

Hull 14 Salford 60.

With the greatest respect a trip to Hull is not exactly a charabanc trip to the lights but Salford and their supporters enjoyed some golden time on Saturday.

Losing Joe Burgess and Oliver Partington after last weeks match at Warrington left Salford coach Paul Rowley the task of reshuffling his small squad. Rowley and his assistant Kurt Haggerty never seem fazed by anything as they take adversity in their stride. Rhys Williams slotted in perfectly on the wing with the versatile Chris Atkin taking Partington’s place at loose forward. 

The weather was rather chilly but fine and dry. The conditions and pitch were perfect for fast flowing Rugby League.

Salford’s travelling support must of feared the worse when Jack Ormondroyd came up with an error in his own half allowing Hull the chance to attack. The home side took full advantage with Jake Clifford scoring the opening try of the match. 

The Red Devils seemed to recover quickly from the early setback as Marc Sneyd put Ryan Brierley through a gap. The ball flew left to right through numerous pairs of hands before Deon Cross scampered over to level the scores with a fine try. Sneyd converted to nudge Salford in front.

Former Salford centre Josh Griffin gifted possession back to the visitors with a mistake in his own half. Sneyd this time set Shane Wright up who crashed through some very suspect Hull defence. Sneyd again converted and in no time Salford had turned things around to lead 4-12. 

Hull lacked composure and looked well of the pace. This time Brodie Croft broke clear and with Brierley in support Salford were in again. 

Then came a big moment in defence with Hull attacking. A top tackle from Croft and Sio denied Adam Swift a certain try. 

Salford spurned the chance of two points from a penalty goal electing to run it and Tyler Dupree did the business from the tap galloping through some powderpuff tackling from the home side to score.

Every time Salford were in possession it looked like something would happen. The support play was outstanding and Hull had no answer to it. 

Croft was once again the architect for Salford’s fifth try sending Wright motoring down the left flank. Sneyd failed to convert but Salford looked pretty comfortable at 4-28. 

Just before the half time hooter Sneyd kicked a penalty goal from just over the half way line. A near perfect first half performance ended 4-30. A chorus of boos echoed round the stadium as the home side trudged off down the tunnel. 

Momentum in modern day Rugby League can change so quickly. This made the first second half score very significant. Salford were ruthless and punished their hosts with three quick tries. Cross grabbed his second try just moments after the re-start and it become an eight point try after he was adjudged to have been fouled in the act of scoring by referee Chris Kendall. Brierley put a try on a plate for Kallum Watkins with a lovely measured kick. Then Sneyd ghosted through the shambolic Hull defence to score Salford’s eighth try and his conversion made it 4-50.

What followed next was poetry in motion. A real team try that you could never get tired of watching. Finishing off the exquisite passage of play was Tim Lafai. 

Despite leading 4-56 Salford’s commitment in defence never wavered. Clifford was denied a try but some top tackling but Hull grabbed a try when Swift raced away showing sensational pace. Brad Fash powered over from close range before Salford had the final word with a tenth try of the afternoon to complete the demolition job. Lafai scored it to send the Salford supporters home absolutely thrilled with a golden performance. 

The teams that day;

Hull FC: Hoy, Swift, Griffin, Scott, McIntosh, Lovodua, Clifford, Taylor, Houghton, Fash, Sao, Savelio, Lane.

Subs, Satae, Evans, Brown, Dwyer.

Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Lafai, Williams, Croft, Sneyd, Ormondroyd, Ackers, Vuniyayawa, Watkins, Wright, Atkin.

Subs, Sidlow, Dupree, Bourouh, Longstaff.

Referee, Chris Kendall.

Attendance, 11,323.

Sunday’s match.

I’ve really enjoyed writing these previews over the last few years. I know my grammar isn’t the best and you might find the odd spelling mistake. I always try and write from a supporters perspective. So this week as we look towards Sunday’s game I am not going to patronise and insult people’s intelligence. It’s going to be very difficult just getting a squad of players together so to think about winning would be very naive.

I had a busy day at work on Monday so didn’t have time to keep in touch with the news surrounding the club. However I did pop on social media around 5pm and my heart sank as the news of two more departures were confirmed. Chris Hill and Chris Hankinson. Journalists didn’t stop there as stories circulated regarding more players leaving this week. I felt sick to the stomach. Adversity always makes me more determined to play my small part. I will be shouting that little bit louder at Hull on Sunday.

I will be honest, I’ve struggled the last few months to come to terms with the situation. I’ve struggled sleeping and at times I’ve been nervously glued to my phone watching the various meltdowns. Over the last few weeks it’s got worse. It’s made me more angry. Salford Rugby League club is a huge asset to the local community. Many people have dedicated their lives to the club. Supporters move heaven and earth to follow this club religiously week after week, year after year. The thought of Salford RLFC not being in my life makes me shudder. I’ve sat for hours thinking about it. I know it’s not healthy but if you don’t belong to something like this it’s really hard to explain. 

For all the supporters going to Hull and the remaining games this season enjoy the time with the people you go with, the people you love. Remember why you go and cherish every second. 

I don’t know what will happen in September or next year but one things for sure I am in this for life and if Salford RLFC needs rebuilding I am ready to do it brick by brick. 

Safe travels and enjoy the game.

The action gets under way at 3pm.

Paul Whiteside. 

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