Salford v Wakefield.

Once again I am not sure where to start this weeks preview. Looking back to Sunday at Hull it was a very emotional day. The trip up with my dad and daughter Imogen was a pleasant one. When we got into the ground the spirit amongst the Salford supporters was very humbling. Everyone seemed quite relaxed during the warm up but you could sense the fear when chatting to people about the very uncertain future we face.

Every player gave their best and the supporters really appreciated this. The sportsmanship from the Hull FC club and their supporters was something I’ve never witnessed before. They seemed to really care about our dire situation and despite the result it was quite a comforting and soulful experience.

Once again our ‘owners’ were sat in the stand watching on but I can’t get my head around what they must be planning or thinking. Our beloved club has been stripped apart of all its assets. A statement was released on Monday night at a ridiculously late time by the club. With no name on it we presume it’s supposed to be the ‘owners’ words. It seemed to be filled with disrespect and nonsense.

Salford RLFC is going to need rebuilding. Are these people going to do that after watching it deteriorate under their regime? Or is this all a cunning plan to destroy us then rebrand to Manchester to complete the ultimate betrayal. That is just me thinking out loud so don’t panic too much. It’s been on my mind for a while though. Why would you run a club in to the ground causing complete havoc knowing that it’s going to be yours in 2026.

It was another body blow last week seeing Ryan Brierley and Jack Ormondroyd leave to join Oldham. We’ve had to get used to these kind of things though in 2025. With six matches remaining it’s looking like every week loan players will be drafted in to get us through the fixture list. It’s another stain on our great club and if you look at it logically it’s a complete shambles. That said every player that pulls the shirt on for us has my upmost respect and best wishes. To put your hand up and play under these circumstances takes a lot of heart and guts. 

Will we ever get a spoken word from the ‘owners’ or will they continue to hide behind statements that are completely false and misleading?

Super League home record.

Salford 18

Draw 1

Wakefield 10

1999 Salford 28 Wakefield 14

2000 Salford 14 Wakefield 22

2001 Salford 26 Wakefield 16

2001 Salford 24 Wakefield 32

2002 Salford 42 Wakefield 18

2002 Salford 22 Wakefield 22

2004 Salford 20 Wakefield 27

2005 Salford 16 Wakefield 14

2005 Salford 37 Wakefield 0

2006 Salford 48 Wakefield 10

2006 Salford 26 Wakefield 12

2007 Salford 18 Wakefield 35

2009 Salford 24 Wakefield 30

2010 Salford 16 Wakefield 12

2011 Salford 34 Wakefield 12

2012 Salford 34 Wakefield 42 (played at Leigh)

2013 Salford 10 Wakefield 46

2014 Salford 18 Wakefield 14

2015 Salford 24 Wakefield 18

2015 Salford 34 Wakefield 26 (middle eights)

2016 Salford 38 Wakefield 8

2017 Salford 24 Wakefield 34

2017 Salford 18 Wakefield 43 (Super 8s)

2018 Salford 38 Wakefield 4

2019 Salford 44 Wakefield 20

2020 Salford 12 Wakefield 22

2021 Salford 24 Wakefield 14 (played At Halliwell Jones Stadium)

2022 Salford 74 Wakefield 10

2023 Salford 14 Wakefield 13

They played for both.

Here are a few players who represented both clubs:

Ben Jones Bishop, Mason Caton Brown, Tim Smith, Kevin Locke, Matty Ashurst, Ged Byrne, Garen Casey, Shane Kenward, Jason Critchley, Ashley Gibson, Sean Gleeson, Bobbie Goulding, Josh Griffin, George Griffin, Darrell Griffin, Phil Hassan, James Hasson, Stuart Howarth, Alan Hunte, Greg Johnson, Warren Jowitt, Andy Kirk, Tommy Lee, Francis Maloney, Martin Moana, Kris Tassell, Jason Walton, Josh Wood, Liam Hood, Jeremy Smith, Lee Gaskell and Craig Kopzack.

A match to remember Saturday 17th August 2002.

Salford 22 Wakefield 22

With both sides battling at the wrong end of the table the two points on offer here we’re priceless. Salford we’re having a miserable season. Big defeats away from home and at The Willows we’re becoming far to frequent.

Wakefield went ahead in the sixth minute with a penalty from Ian Knott before a Steve Blakeley try and two Graham Holroyd goals put Salford 8-2 up.

Wakefield drew level when Andrew Frew collected Deon Bird’s pass to go over and Knott landed a penalty after a high tackle by Andy Coley on Paul Jackson.

The teams went in level at half time 8-8.

Early in the second half, the impressive Brad Davis added a drop goal.

The Australian half back was a constant threat with his organisational skills.

Danny Arnold put Salford back in front on the hour with a well taken try before Wakefield took a commanding ten point lead.

Andrew Frew touched down from a kick through, Davis added the conversion and then booted his second drop goal before capping a fine display by finishing off Deon Bird’s break for a try, which he then converted.

Salford now staring down the barrel of another defeat needed something special and they certainly got it.

Arnold squeezed in at the corner for his second try before sub Ian Watson darted over and Graham Holroyd coolly landed the conversion to level the match. After a frantic finale both sides had to settle for a point in a 22-22 draw.

The relegation battle when right down to the wire. Salford had to beat Castleford on the final day of the season at The Willows to survive. Sadly another poor performance and a 10-20 defeat resulted in relegation to National League one.

The club re grouped under coach Karl Harrison and a terrific season in 2003 saw Salford back in the big time after promotion.

The teams that day;

Salford: Gibson, Reardon, Maloney, Hunte, Arnold, Holroyd, Blakeley, Baynes, Alker, Highton, Ebrill, Treacey, Wainwright. Subs: Southern, Price, Coley, Watson.

Wakefield: Holland, Sovatabua, Tassell, Bird, Frew, Moana, Davis, Jackson, Vowles, Feather, Slattery, Field, Knott. Subs: Broadbent, March, Handforth, Ellis.

Referee: Russell Smith (Castleford)

Attendance: 3,217.

Sunday’s match.

Like I’ve said in the last few weeks I won’t insult your intelligence and preview the match in-depth because I can’t. I just hope the protest that the 1873 group has put together goes smoothly and peacefully. For the Salford players that are in the seventeen I hope they enjoy what will be a difficult experience and probably a very tiring one in the extreme heat that is forecast for Sunday. I hope they enjoy the encouragement and energy that the Salford supporters bestow on them. 

Sadly I can’t make the match on Sunday. I am going to Greece for a week with my family. I am not at all in the mood to go on holiday and wish I could be at the match helping to support our beloved team. It will be on my mind all week and if I can get some decent Wi-Fi I’ll be joining Rob and Parky on this week’s Devil in The Detail podcast. 

Our club has gone through so much over the years. So much history and tradition. People have dedicated themselves and their lives to Salford RLFC and that’s why we must insure that it survives and continues to create memories in the future. 

Have a safe day on Sunday and do us proud. God bless. 

The action gets under way at 3pm.

Paul Whiteside. 

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