'A statement full of lies' - fans react to Salford owner statement

Molly Fairhurst

'A statement full of lies' - fans react to Salford owner statement image

Another day, another upset at Salford Red Devils. 

Fans have shown their anger at a statement released late on August 11 detailing the future of the club.

The statement announced a "significant step forward" in securing the clubs future, writing: "Since the acquisition in February, the club has faced a number of financial hurdles, primarily stemming from legacy debt linked to a historical arrangement between the previous owner and Salford City Council.

"An essential £1.8 million investment—pledged by an external backer and anticipated by November 2024—failed to materialise, significantly disrupting the club’s financial planning.

“Matters worsened in May when Salford City Council unexpectedly withdrew from negotiations to purchase the AJ Bell Stadium (the stadium is now known as the Salford Community Stadium), a key element of the club’s investment strategy.

“This decision, in breach of agreed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), undermined funding plans and discouraged potential investors by prolonging uncertainty around existing debts. For clarity, the club has met all contractual obligations and complied fully with NDAs throughout the stadium discussions.

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“Despite recent setbacks, the club is in the process of establishing a new team to stabilise operations moving forward, alongside securing bridge funding that restores immediate financial stability and lays the foundation for a sustainable future."

But fans feel this statement was issued too late for some fans, who feel it took pressure from fan group The 1873 to prompt a response.

One fan replied to the statement with: "Finally, a statement when it's all hit the fan.

"Too little, too late. If you had come in and said, 'write off now and we rebuild in the 2026 season, ' it would have been OK, and you would have kept transparency with the fans, but you've seen the 1873 posts, and now you speak out."

The 1873 released a post in return, calling the announcement "nothing more than a wall of excuses."

“Your late-night statement, issued at 22:47 without so much as a name attached to it, says everything about the level of accountability and transparency we’ve come to expect from your tenure – none.

If you truly stood by your words, you’d sign them. But you didn’t."

They ended their reply with "Salford Red Devils will prevail - but not with you anywhere near it.

"Your time is up."

Light at the end of the tunnel?

One man who has felt the immense hardship of this season is head coach Paul Rowley, who admitted that the first time he met some of his players ahead of the fixture at Hull FC was on the bus to the game.

In a post-match interview, he attested to the struggle faced by everyone at Salford, but also said that he "can't speak highly enough" of present and former staff, players and coaches.

The club's statement echoed that of Rowley, who mentioned the owners' promise that brighter days were ahead.

But the response from fans is clear - the planned protest will go ahead on Sunday and this statement has done little to quell the outrage of supporters.

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Molly Fairhurst

Molly Fairhurst is a freelance contributor for The Sporting News and sports journalist from Wakefield with a range of interests from rugby league to Formula One. As an all-rounder, Molly delivers comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis across multiple sports, with a particular focus on the nuances that make each unique. Whether it’s breaking news or in-depth features, Molly brings a sharp eye for detail and a deep passion for the games they cover.