Salford v Wakefield Trinity.

My youngest daughter said to me a few weeks ago, “dad why do you keep going to Salford if it makes you really sad”. I was quite taken aback by her observation at first. Then I replied, “because Salford need me and I need them”. 

I’ve heard a lot of people talking about this week’s game like it’s the last game in our great clubs history. It could well turn out that why but I am still refusing to accept that outcome. Where their is belief their is hope and I know I’ll never give up on Salford RLFC.

I certainly hope you’ve enjoyed reading these previews this season. It’s been an absolute pleasure writing them although I’ll say that it’s not been easy given the circumstances our club has been under.

Sunday’s effort at Huddersfield was another heroic one with the Giants just having too much for us in the final ten minutes. I thought our defence was outstanding considering the amount of possession and territory the Giants had in both halves. Justin Sangare has now become an unlikely top try scorer which you would never have thought back in February.

The real worry at the moment is the lack of information and communication coming out of the club. All supporters want to know is what is the plan for 2026. If we are not in Super League which is looking highly unlikely I think most of us could accept that. It’s a real concern because surely now plans need putting in place for 2026 and beyond. 

I don’t really know much about finances, it’s not something that’s ever really interested me. I did however read up on bridging loans and one thing that these loans always seem to be is quick to organise. The clues in the name ‘bridge the gap’. So why has our loan still not arrived? Has one even been applied for? Perhaps we will never know. 

So many questions are left unanswered in the week building up to our final match of the season. 

Our visitors Wakefield may already know their fate with Hull FC playing Catalans the night before our game. If Hull FC are victorious then Wakefield have to win to make the top six. Daryl Powell has moulded a really competitive team at Trinity and after a good rebuild in the Championship last year they’ve really kicked on in 2025.

I don’t think it matters how Hull FC do on Thursday night, I am expecting Wakefield to arrive with a ruthless attitude ready to compete in the playoffs.

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.

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 11th March 2006.

Salford 48 Wakefield 10.

Wakefield were helpless to stop Salford’s first half masterclass. Their passing was slick, the support play was superb and their defence was tenacious at times.

Incredibly, Salford, who led 36-0 at the break, missed only one tackle in the first 40 minutes. With inspirational skipper Malc Alker failing to appear for the second half, the Reds let their standards slip but that was immaterial as their fourth win in five games was already in the bag.

Besides, with their feet firmly off the gas Salford still looked the better team.

The half back pairing of Andrew Dunemann and Luke Robinson worked wonders.

They carved open Wakefield’s defence time after time.

Loose forward Simon Finnigan was the main beneficiary, becoming only the second Salford forward ever to score a Super League hat-trick.

Finnigan’s finishing was different class but it was his all round game that was a joy to watch.

With Finnigan keeping Chris Charles out of the team, Salford were missing a regular goal kicker. David Hodgson was proving a good stand in though with a fine kick display.

He set a Salford Super League goal kicking record I think match converting all eight of the Reds’ tries.

It had been a fantastic start to the 2006 season for Salford with early wins against Warrington, Catalan and Wigan.

This certainly was a memorable night at The Willows. One of those games where almost everything came off and went right.

The team line ups that night were ;

SALFORD REDS: Fitzpatrick; Hodgson, Moule, Littler, Wilshere; Dunemann, Robinson; Baldwin, Alker, Highton, Coley, Brocklehurst, Finnigan. Subs used: Clough, Haggerty, Clayton, Langi. Tries: Highton (2), Finnigan (3), Fitzpatrick, Brocklehurst, Robinson. Goals: Hodgson (8).

WAKEFIELD: Halpenny; White, Demetriou, Henderson, Tadulala; Obst, Jeffries; MacGillivray, Betham, Elima, Solomona, Field, Applegarth. Subs used: Griffin, Korkidas, March, Saxton. Tries: Field, Demetriou. Goal: March.

Referee, Phil Bentham.

Attendance, 4,060.

Friday’s match.

It promises to be a very emotional night on Friday. Whatever happens to Salford RLFC beyond 2025 this will be the final match for some players and particularly the lads who are on loan from other clubs. 

Every player who has worn the Salford shirt this season has done so with pride. Some players haven’t quite been ready for Super League but they’ve been thrown in at the deep end and just got on with it. A number of players have made their Super League debut for Salford being on loan from their respective parent clubs and it’s been great to see them develop. 

It’s certainly not been easy watching the team at times this season and Rugby League can be a very brutal and unforgiving sport at times. 

I think we’d all like to send our best wishes to Emmanuel Waine after that horrific injury he picked up against Catalans a few weeks ago. Waine spent a considerable amount of time in hospital and we wish him a good and speedy recovery to fitness. 

One player who I’d like to mention is Jonny Vaughan. Jonny joined Salford on loan from St.Helens and was becoming a real crowd favourite with the Salford supporters after some all action performances. He scored a memorable try in Perpignan against Catalans but his season was sadly cut short with injury in our home defeat to St.Helens. Despite his injury Jonny has stayed around the club offering his support on match days and he’s still been attending training as he builds up his recovery. I think that just sums up the character of Jonny. He’s a credit to his family and we’ve been very lucky to have him at our club. I’ve no doubt he will go on to have a very successful career. His new chapter begins next season when he joins Saints bitter rivals Wigan. Not many players transfer directly between those two clubs.

I don’t suppose there is much more I can say now but I hope the players, staff and supporters enjoy Friday night. Let’s hope it’s a great game and we all make some more wonderful memories watching our club. Let’s give the players a fantastic reception before, during and after the match.

Just remember one thing it’s supporters that make the club. They are the heart beat and the blood that runs through the veins. While the heart beats there is hope! 

God Bless! 

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.