
League One side Keighley Cougars have announced they have ‘answered an SOS’ from Salford Red Devils. The Red Devils released a statement last night to provide clarity on their financial troubles with the club being directed to part with players in order to trim £800,000 off their overheads.
However, Keighley have been willing to offer the financially challenged Super League outfit a helping hand, it seems. In a statement posted on their website the Cougars have confirmed that they will now take on the Red Devils in a friendly clash next weekend on Sunday, January 26, with more help being offered, too.
The West Yorkshire side have offered to pay Salford’s transport costs through the club’s travel partners JB Travel. Keighley have also confirmed that those players who aren’t involved on the pitch will be hosting a bucket collection to help raise funds towards Salford’s player expenses.
Salford are due to be in action this weekend with a young side going to Championship side Barrow Raiders, and Keighley expect the Red Devils to send a young team with a select number of Super League players to Cougar Park next week. Paul Rowley’s side will take on St Helens a day before to celebrate Morgan Knowles’ testimonial.
Salford’s financial mess has been well documented since the club received an advance in central funding at the back end of last year. The appeal prompted the RFL to put the club under special measures late last year and the governing body has taken a deep dive look into their situation, with player departures the easiest and quickest way of trimming costs.
Salford Red Devils have made five off-season signings ahead of the new season and the club have spent time training abroad this week. However, their Super League preparations could be set to take something of a nosedive as clubs begin to pick off their best and most promising talents.

Bumbaclatt
January 17, 2025 at 10:18 am
Not be long before we see some of Salford’s biggest names packing shopping bags at the Aldi next door to the stadium to raise some funds. Club is being run by clowns.