Salford v Hull FC.

It was like turning the clock back to the old winter era on Saturday night in Barrow. A glue pot pitch, the rain lashing down and supporters of both clubs huddled together under the side stand. Plenty of brews and Bovril warming the cockles, despite the result it was a very enjoyable night. For Salford coach Mike Grady there were plenty of positives to take out of the match. A very resilient second half display outlined the progress this young Salford team is making. 

This Friday we face Super League opponents in Hull FC. The Airlie birds will be overwhelming favourites and rightly so. It could be a long night for the supporters if Hull FC click into gear but for the Salford players it’s a big occasion for them to face top flight players. 

Hull FC coach is former Australian test back rower John Cartwright. He played for Salford in our inaugural Super League season back in 1997 and became a cult hero with the supporters. Cartwright will no doubt be targeting success in the Challenge Cup and I am pretty certain he will play a very strong side on Friday.

Hull FC have a big tradition in the Challenge Cup. They drew with Widnes at Wembley in 1982 before winning the replay at Elland Road. The following year they lost at Wembley against Featherstone Rovers and they were also beaten in the all Hull final against Hull Kingston Rovers in 1980. Wigan beat Hull FC in a classic final in 1985 28-24. From 1985 they waited along time to return to the final but they got back there in 2005 against Leeds. Paul Cooke scored the match winning try in a 25-24 victory at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. 

It’s fair to say they’ve received a lot of banter over the years particularly from the Robins for not being able to win at Wembley. The agony was prolonged at the new Wembley with defeats to St.Helens in 2008 and Wigan in 2013. In 2016 they finally broke their hoodoo with a glorious victory over Warrington and then followed it up with back to back triumphs beating Wigan in the 2017 Final. Marc Sneyd won the Lance Todd Trophy in both those finals.

Salford have won this competition just once back in 1938. On that cup run 88 years ago Salford ironically beat Hull FC 38-2 in the first round.

Challenge Cup record.

Salford 4

Draws 0

Hull FC 5

2014 Hull FC 36 Salford 37

2009 Hull FC 18 Salford 22

1998 Salford 41 Hull FC 10

1982 Hull FC 29 Salford 15

1966 Hull FC 11 Salford 2

1938 Salford 38 Hull FC 2

1914 Hull FC 8 Salford 5

1910 Salford 6 Hull FC 20 (played at Wakefield)

1908 Hull FC 15 Salford 9

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, Ed Chamberlain, Amir Bourouh, Cade Cust, Josh Jones and Marc Sneyd.

A match to remember Sunday 15th March 1998.

Challenge cup Quarter Final. 

Salford 41 Hull Sharks 10.

Salford had some exciting cup runs in the mid 90s and the 1998 one was another belter. 

After beating amateur club Ovenden in the fourth round Salford thumped Widnes at Naughton park 6-48 in the fifth round to set up a Quarter Final match with Hull Sharks as they were known that year. 

Hull had just joined Super League for the 1998 season after being promoted alongside Huddersfield Giants at the conclusion of 1997.

Salford’s back line looked as sharp as ever with Scott Nayor and Nathan McAvoy both amongst the tries along with star fullback Gary Broadbent. 

After a fantastic season with London Broncos in 1997, Australian scrum half Josh White had joined Salford. He scored two tries as the Reds swept past Hull in a blistering performance.

Hull were second best in every department and a crowd of over 6,000 enjoyed a fantastic Salford display.

It really felt like the whole club were on an upward trajectory. Andy Gregory’s Reds side would meet Sheffield Eagles in a memorable Semi Final match at Headingley. It’s still painful to watch all these years later. The Eagles came from behind to shatter Salford’s dream of Wembley. It was a defeat that hung over the club for a long time and many supporters blame that defeat for a demise in the years to follow.

The teams that day,

Salford, Broadbent, Coussons, Naylor, McAvoy, Rogers, Blakeley, White, Platt, Edwards, Eccles, Hulme, Bradbury, Crompton.

Subs, Martin, Forber, Savelio, Faimalo.

Hull, Smith, Seru, Baildon, Hunte, Johnson, Hallas, Tomlinson, Leatham, Stephenson, Temu, Booth, Craven, Campbell.

Subs, Nolan, Ireland, Wilson, Shultz.

Referee, Russell Smith.

Attendance, 6,210.

Friday’s match.

Playing against full time Super League opponents who are going to be all guns blazing with their league campaign starting in a week’s time is going to be a very difficult task.

When I spoke to Mike Grady last Saturday he made a great point about the lads enjoying the occasion. It’s a huge test but it’s a match the young Salford players will always remember.

I’ve mentioned it a few times already this season but the spirit of the players, staff and supporters is really growing. After the match at Barrow we popped in to McDonalds to get a coffee, no happy meals for me! In the queue I got chatting to Andy Moffat who is the kit man, coach, team manager amongst other job he does at Salford. He had worked at Bradford and Midlands in the past. He must of thanked me for coming to watch the team a couple of teams. He seemed so grateful for the support and his attitude was first class. It’s tough and results may not go our way but Ryan Brierley and his staff are creating a fantastic environment with real good people who are building trust with the supporters.

I am pretty sure it will be big coat weather on Friday night so get wrapped up. We could also see the return of Cade Cust and Amir Bourouh as they return with Hull FC. 

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.