Salford v Batley
Batley are one of the oldest clubs in the sport. All of their major honours came over a hundred years ago with three Challenge cup titles in 1897,1898 and 1901. The Gallant Youths were also League Champions in 1924. Batley have beaten Salford once in an away fixture since the Second World War, a 5-13 win at the Willows in 1960. Before 1973 there was just one division of thirty teams. The 1972/73 season would be Batley’s last in the top flight. They finished 19th and dropped down to the newly formed Second Division. Since then they’ve played mostly in the second division with the odd season in the third tier. After being promoted from League two in 2005 Batley have played in the championship where they’ve competed admirably finishing in the top six on seven occasions.
The Bulldogs as they are known these days won the National Rail cup in 2010 beating Widnes 25-24 at Blackpool in front of over 8,000 supporters.
Former Great Britain international Karl Harrison has coached both Salford and Batley. Harrison took over at the Willows mid-way through the 2002 season until 2007. He coached Batley between 2009-2011 overseeing the Rail Cup success.
The Bulldogs play at Mount pleasant, a ground which is famous for its slope.
Salford got their second win of the season on Easter Sunday with a hard fought victory over local rivals Swinton. Batley have managed three wins from seven matches so far picking up victories over Swinton and North Wales before a pulsating Good Friday derby with Dewsbury which they won 21-20.
Former Featherstone and York Coach James Ford is now in charge at Batley having joined the club for the start of the 2026 season. Ford has a very good reputation and has also worked in Super League at Wakefield Trinity.
League home record (post Second World War).
Salford 17
Draws 0
Batley 1
2008 Salford 46 Batley 0
2003 Salford 54 Batley 12
1996 Salford 56 Batley 18
1995 Salford 52 Batley 24
1991 Salford 32 Batley 14
1983 Salford 39 Batley 8
1981 Salford 44 Batley 8
1971 Salford 21 Batley 3
1969 Salford 28 Batley 9
1964 Salford 20 Batley 8
1963 Salford 15 Batley 3
1962 Salford 16 Batley 8
1960 Salford 5 Batley 13
1959 Salford 34 Batley 2
1957 Salford 17 Batley 5
1957 Salford 16 Batley 5
1951 Salford 17 Batley 7
1947 Salford 6 Batley 3
They played for both.
Ian Bragger, Jodie Broughton, John Gilfillan, Greg Johnson, Francis Maloney, Iain Marsh, Derrell Olperts, Jason Walton, Daley Williams, Gus Risman.
A match to remember Sunday 10th September 1995.
Salford 52 Batley 24.
This match was played in the short winter season of 1995 as the Sport geared up for the Super League which would get under way in March of 1996.
Salford were under the stewardship of Andy Gregory who’d finished his playing career with the Reds before hanging up his boots to be coach. The club has its eyes on playing in the top flight but would have to win promotion in the 1996 season. Salford used this short winter season and sharpened their tools accordingly doing a very professional job. The side had lots of experience with the likes of Steve Hampson, Sam Panapa, Phil Ford and Mike Gregory. It also had plenty of young players who were finding their way in the sport. Ian Watson and Nathan McAvoy were both teenage stars that had come through at local amateur clubs.
Batley had some experienced campaigners in their team back in 1995. Loose forward David Heron was at the back end of a fantastic career that had seen him play over 400 matches for Leeds. John Gilfillan had enjoyed a good spell with Salford in the early 90s and he lined up for Batley in the centre alongside winger Gary Thornton.
Salford scored nine tries with Watson having a terrific game at scrum half kicking seven conversions and two drop goals. Phil Ford and Sam Panapa grabbed a brace of tries apiece in a match full of excitement and tries a plenty. Batley half back Glen Tomlinson produced plenty of exciting moments and he would go on to sign for Bradford Bulls where he would win the Super League title in 1997.
Salford’s other try scorers that day were Cliff Eccles, Scott Martin, Mark Lee, Steve Hampson and Richards Webster. The Reds would go on to win the 1995 Centenary Season with 17 wins and a draw from their 20 matches. Ironically the draw came away at Batley on a freezing cold Wednesday night at the end of November 1995. The following year in 1996 they backed up winning the League again to be promoted to Super League. So don’t let anyone say Salford never earned promotion because they certainly did.
The teams that day,
Salford, Hampson, McAvoy, Rogers, Martin, Ford, Panapa, Watson, Young, Lee, Eccles, Forber, Randall, Gregory.
Subs, Naylor, Webster.
Batley, Wilson, Walker, Moxon, Gilfillan, Thornton, Chapman, Tomlinson, Green, Cass, Middleton, Walton, Child, D.Heron.
Subs, Mirfan, W.Heron.
Referee, David Asquith.
Attendance, 2,455.
Sunday’s match.
It’s certainly been a big boost this week with Joe Hartley signing an extended contract. Joe has fitted right in at Salford and has become one of the most reliable players at the club. Add to that the news of Owen Haldenby signing on a permanent contract it’s been another week of building. Owen is only nineteen years old but has shown great maturity so far this season playing big minutes in the pack.
Ollie Garmston has played the last few matches at centre and he’s taken to the position really well. He reminds me of Stuart Littler the way he gets under the oppositions skin. He had plenty of verbals in the Swinton game and for a young player he’s got a wonderful attitude of total commitment.
The pack is starting to take shape with Sam Bowring and Jack Bibby providing some real size. Danny Lynch has also put in some big performances and Reece Stanton is making good progress. I spoke to Reece on the Bring On The Salford podcast this week. He’s a really nice lad with a hard working attitude. The commitment he is showing and willingness to improve his game is there for all to see.
Our opponents Batley have former Salford winger Derrell Olpherts in their squad. After leaving Salford he spent three seasons with Castleford before joining Leeds. Olpherts has also played at Wakefield and Featherstone in recent years and has a very good try scoring record at all his former clubs. Ben Reynolds is an experienced half back who’s played plenty of Super League games. He started his professional career at Castleford Tigers before having two big spells with Leigh. Reynolds has had brief spells and loan moves to quite a few clubs in Yorkshire and throughout his career he’s been a very accomplished goal kicker. Back rower Dane Manning has over 400 career appearances under his belt, well over half of those are with Batley.
Half back Josh Woods made his Super League debut for Wigan back in 2017 against Salford. After loan spells at Leigh and Swinton plus a season at Newcastle, Woods is now in his fourth season at Batley. Cain Robb is on a month’s loan from Castleford. Robb played at Salford on loan last season. Ben White is a London lad originally born in Hounslow. White has racked up over 150 matches and is now in his seventh season with the Bulldogs.
It’s fair to say Batley has a pretty settled squad that posses a lot of experience at both Super League and Championship level.
The action gets under way at 3pm
Safe travels and enjoy the game.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.