Salford v North Wales.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago when we played at Colwyn Bay, I am going to refer to the Crusaders from when they started as Celtic in 2005. Salford had a very competitive season with them in 2008 as both sides sought promotion to Super League. Since they became North Wales in time for the 2012 season Salford are yet to meet them in a competitive match. When it comes to limited companies and so called phoenix clubs I really like the simplicity of things and the continuity.

I was very pleased to see Mike Grady back involved at North Wales. I’ve done several interviews with Mike earlier on this season when he was in charge at Salford and found him a real gentleman. He was so easy to chat to and very down to earth. Mike has got a huge challenge in front of him but given time and the backing of the people in charge at North Wales I am sure he will make a success of things.

Looking back to last Sunday and what a fantastic match between Salford and Barrow. I felt we really came of age in this game. We didn’t get the result but the manner of the performance just highlighted how far we’ve progressed in six months. There is no doubt about it, rebuilding Salford RL is going to take time and patience but the culture that has been created is definitely blossoming perfectly. The players are an absolute credit to the club. Dave Hewitt and his staff are getting the best out of a situation with pretty limited resources. All credit to Barrow for getting the result last weekend. They hung on and got the job done. We can argue over decisions until we are blue in the face but soothe result never changes. The Barrow players, staff and supporters were just as desperate as we were to win that match. For the record it was Barrow’s first League win at Salford since 1986. 

 League home record.

Salford 2

Draws 0

North Wales/Celtic Crusaders 3

2011, Salford 10 Celtic Crusaders 16

2010, Salford 16 Celtic Crusaders 36

2009, Salford 28 Celtic Crusaders 16

2008, Salford 18 Celtic Crusaders 44 (playoff match)

2008, Salford 24 Celtic Crusaders 22

They played for both.

Here is a selection of players from both Celtic Crusaders and North Wales Crusaders that have played for Salford.

Steve Bannister, Adam Clay, Shaun Costello, Alex Davidson, Carl Forster, Matty Gee, Andy Gorski, Cole Oakley, Dec Patton, Toby Hughes, Gil Dudson, Weller Hauraki, Elliot kear, Tommy Lee, Gareth Price, Steve Tyrer, Rhys Williams, Joe Baldwin, Owain Abel and Jack Holmes.

A match to remember Thursday 15th May 2008.

Salford 24 Celtic Crusaders 22.

If my memory serves me correctly this game was televised on a Thursday night back in 2008. Both sides had created a bit of a rivalry. Salford had started the season with victory at Easter with a Thursday night win at Hilton park against Leigh. The match where it just rained and rained for the whole eighty minutes soaking us Salford supporters begin the sticks. It took all Easter to dry out! From the first six matches Salford had won four and drawn twice on the road to Widnes and Sheffield Eagles. 

Going into this clash at the Willows Celtic had won four and lost twice with heavy defeats at Whitehaven and Sheffield Eagles. 

Celtic started well and made their intentions clear early on. Crusaders forward Jordan James and Salford captain Malcom Alker came together on a number of occasions and the match had a bit of a bad tempered edge to it.

The visitors went in at half time with a well deserved 14-18 advantage.

A very strong second half performance saw Salford edge to victory. The tries coming from Paul White (two),Phil Leuluai, Stuart Littler and John Wilshere. Alker and James both ended up in the sin bin. This was a real big win for Shaun McRae’s Salford side who went on to finish top of the table before beating Celtic in the grand final of that year. Both sides were promoted to Super League for the following season.

The teams that night,

Salford, Fitzpatrick, Gardner, Littler, Wilshere, White, Hunter-Paul, Myler, Leuluai, Alker, Jewitt, Sibbit, Adamson, Turner.

Subs, Highton, Ratchford, Brocklehurst, Sidlow.

Celtic, Duggan, Lennon, Hannay, Dalle Court, Blackwood, Quinn, Van Dijk, James, Budworth, Dean, Beasley, Mapp, Wyatt.

Subs, Webster, Summers, I’Anson, Tangata-Toa.

Referee, Jamie Leahy.

Attendance,3,438.

Sunday’s match.

It’s been sad to see the struggles of North Wales over the last few months. They’ve suffered some huge defeats in that time and it must be very tough as a supporter of the club at this moment in time. The club has been pretty busy on the recruitment front recently since Grady took over so the side we face on Sunday could look very different to the one we met just over a month ago. Salford’s Keane Gilford and Owen Haldenby both played on loan in the Crusaders last match which was a 0-94 home defeat to Halifax. 

Hewitt will no doubt want to get a professional job done this Sunday but this could be a chance to give some of the fringe players a chance to show what they can do. I know Cole Appleby is hungry for first team action after spending some time playing with Leigh Reserves. With Sam Bowring out injured for the remainder of the season Cole will be looking to grasp the opportunity when it comes. 

Oli Garmston continued his fantastic run of try scoring against Barrow. Garmo has impressed at both centre and second row this season and has now scored eleven tries in twenty appearances making him the clubs leading try scorer. 

Sunday will be Salford’s third home game on the trot. The atmosphere at the previous two games against Workington and Barrow were absolutely fantastic. The club is working hard in the community and it’s been great to see so many people smiling again in 2026. 

The action gets under way at 3pm

Safe travels and enjoy the game.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick, Gareth Lyons and Adam Hanglin for the photos and the Salford match day programme.