Warrington v Salford.

Last Friday at Leigh the script was written for another big thumping after the turbulent fortnight leading up to the match. Salford competed so well in the first half it was almost like the form book went out the window. Eventually in the final quarter the Leopards put the game to bed but the whole night seemed a really enjoyable and up lifting one from a Salford perspective. The supporters stayed behind long after the final hooter. The energy they created that night was infectious. If the people running our club can’t see what it means to us by now then I don’t think they ever will.

I know I’ve started off on a positive note this week but let’s not get too carried away. I think most Salford supporters are extremely worried about the future of our club, especially with the HMRC situation that takes place before our next fixture. We keep hearing statements about bridging loans but as I write this there has been no confirmation of any loans arriving. What exactly are we bridging too? At times it just feels like nobody is willing to part with any money or take responsibility. Perhaps the ‘Owners’ are trying to play a massive game of brinkmanship with the council over the stadium and land situation, who knows! Either way something is going to have to give in the months of September and October. 

The RFL announced recently about the fourteen teams for Super League 2026 being revealed on Thursday 16th October. This week the format for the Championship and League One was communicated. Both leagues will merge in to one next season with the clubs being announced also on 16th October.

It certainly promises to be a very worrying few weeks but maybe this time next week our future may become clearer. I think it’s the not knowing what’s going to happen that is the hardest part of this desperately sad situation. 

Our hosts Warrington are having their own problems in 2025. After a heroic performance at Wembley the Wolves were very unlucky to lose the Challenge Cup final to Hull Kingston Rovers. League form has been a real conundrum for coach Sam Burgess. Big things were expected this season under his leadership. The Wolves have won three games from seven since the cup final and those wins were against Salford as well as two wins over Catalans. Defeats against strugglers Huddersfield and Castleford have highlighted just how vulnerable their defence has been. This has left them eight place in the league table five points adrift of the playoffs. A top six finish looks unlikely though with their last three games against all the top sides. Warrington play Leigh (h), Hull Fc (a) and (Hull Kr (a). 

Young Wolves centre Connor Wrench announced his retirement at the age of 23 this week. He scored a try in defeat at Huddersfield last weekend in what looks to be his final appearance. Wrench made his professional debut against Salford in 2020 but has really struggled with a number of serious anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Best wishes to Connor with his future whether it’s inside or outside the sport. 

Super League away record.

Warrington 21

Draw 0

Salford 11

1997 Warrington 23 Salford 8

1998 Warrington 4 Salford 37

1999 Warrington 28 Salford 14

2000 Warrington 32 Salford 18

2000 Warrington 38 Salford 10

2001 Warrington 14 Salford 39

2002 Warrington 18 Salford 9

2002 Warrington 2 Salford 22

2004 Warrington 46 Salford 20

2005 Warrington 48 Salford 14

2005 Warrington 32 Salford 22

2006 Warrington 6 Salford 24

2006 Warrington 6 Salford 22

2007 Warrington 42 Salford 6

2009 Warrington 62 Salford 20

2010 Warrington 32 Salford 2

2011 Warrington 16 Salford 18

2012 Warrington 24 Salford 20

2013 Warrington 68 Salford 10

2014 Warrington 36 Salford 20

2015 Warrington 22 Salford 8

2016 Warrington 40 Salford 14

2017 Warrington 12 Salford 38

2018 Warrington 30 Salford 14

2019 Warrington 12 Salford 36

2019 Warrington 12 Salford 22

2020 Warrington 24 Salford 0 (match forfeited, Warrington awarded win)

2021 Warrington 20 Salford 19

2022 Warrington 32 Salford 18

2023 Warrington 36 Salford 20

2024 Warrington 14 Salford 25

They played for both.

Over the years there have been plenty of players who’ve been at both clubs at some point in their career. Here are a few of them,

Vinny Anderson, kevin Ashcroft, Richie Barnett, Steve Blakeley, Martin Crompton, John Duffy, Phil Ford, Martin Gleeson, Andy Gregory, Danny Halliwell, Neil Harmon, Alan Hunte, David Highton, Danny Lima, Lama Tasi, 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 Monday 29th May 2017.

Warrington 12 Salford 38

As far as matches to remember go this is one that will stay with me for a long time. It really was a complete performance against a good Warrington side. The month of May in 20017 was a particularly good one for Ian Watson’s side. Some fantastic results playing a thrilling brand of rugby made Salford a team to be feared in Super League as the elite cartel of Rugby League sat up and took note.

With just one defeat in thirteen matches which included a 18-54 demolition away at Hull. A 16-31 victory at Wigan and three days prior to the Warrington game Catalans were put to the sword at The AJ Bell Stadium 50-12. Anything seemed possible for a side full of confidence. With Michael Dobson guiding the team around the pitch and Ben Murdoch Masila in devastating try scoring form making him one of the most sought after forwards in the country.

Ironically Dobson missed this match after being rested. Todd Carney stepped in to partner Robert Lui in the halves and the Maverick Australian was sensational. Jake Bibby, Niall Evalds and Junior Sa’u twice crossed in a dominant first half for the Red Devils, with Brad Dwyer’s dart from dummy-half the sole reply.

Leading 6-22 at the break Salford’s huge travelling away support behind the posts were in great voice adding to the magnificent atmosphere.

Robert Lui continued to torment the Warrington defence with his full repertoire of skills.

Eight minutes into the second half the blockbusting Sa’u punched another hole in the Warrington defence to get Evalds over for his second try before he swooped on Carney’s clever kick to complete a sensational his hat-trick.

Tom Lineham bagged a consolation try for the Wolves late on but this day belonged to Ian Watson’s Red Devil’s.

Young hooker Kris Brining had the final say scoring a try off the back of O’Brien’s 40/20 kick.

It was a day when everything clicked for Salford and despite a dip in form in the following weeks a fourth place League table finished after the regular season rounds was a fantastic accomplishment.

The teams that day;

Warrington, Ratchford, Russell, Hughes, Atkins, Lineham, Brown, Patton, Hill, Clark, Cooper, Jullien, Philbin, Westerman.

Subs, Sims, Dwyer, King, Savelio.

Salford, O’Brien, Evalds, Sau, Bibby, Johnson, Lui, Carney, Tasi, Brining, Hasson, Hauraki, Murdoch Masila, Flanagan.

Subs, Kopzack, Wood, Krasniqi, Murray.

Referee, Phil Bentham

Attendance, 10,684.

Friday’s match.

Paul Rowley managed to name a twenty one man squad on Wednesday. After impressive debuts at Leigh last Friday it’s great to see Neil Tchamambe, Louix Gorman, Jack Derbyshire, Rowan Milnes and Leon Ruan extended their loans. This at least gives us a little consistency. Tchamambe looks a real talent and thrilled the Salford supporters last time out in a very exciting performance. 

The Red Devils have added Jack Croft on loan from Wakefield. Croft is a young centre with plenty of Super League experience. 

Jack Walker has joined Salford until the end of the season. Walker had been playing at Sheffield Eagles in 2025. He played and starred in the 2017 Grand Final for Leeds when they beat Castleford. Back then he was only eighteen years old. He’s also played for both Hull Fc and Hull Kr. Walker is quick, very agile and as brave as they come playing at fullback. 

Forward Isaac Shaw has also joined Salford until the end of the season. 

Jayden Nikorima and Kai Morgan have both been named in this week’s squad. 

One man who continues to roll back the years is Joe Mellor. Another terrific performance last Friday saw him pass on his valuable experience to the younger players in the side. Joe is the ultimate professional and whatever League we end up in next season I’d love to see Joe stay with us. 

After starting the season with Salford, Marc Sneyd and Sam Stone are expected to start for Warrington on Friday night. Matt Dufty is a player to look out for and hooker Danny Walker is a real handful through the middle of the pitch. 

It promises to be another emotional night for Salford and their supporters. Flags, banners and scarfs are the order of the day for Friday night as we look to celebrate our 152 years of history. I for one cannot wait to get behind the sticks to cheer the lads on. 

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Paul Whiteside. 

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