“Hope on the horizon” – Brian Carney optimistic over future of Salford Red Devils after liquidation verdict reached

Former Great Britain international, Brian Carney, believes that there is hope for Salford Red Devils fans, following the news that the club has been wound up.

After a fifth meeting with HMRC, the Red Devils will now begin the process of liquidation due to an insurmountable amount of unpaid debts, with owners Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown failing to come up with the funds needed to keep the club afloat.

The news puts end to a year-long saga with the final nail coming earlier today. The club will now terminate all contracts of players and staff that remained, with the club unable to continue as a business in its current guise and with the business under the name of Salford City Reds (2013) at Companies House ceasing to exist.

Carney, who is the lead presenter of rugby league’s coverage on Sky Sports, gave his verdict on today’s outcome, and admits that whilst it is a dark day for the sport, there is still an element of positivity that Salford fans can hold on to.

He said: “It’s mixed emotions, very much. It’s been a saga that has dragged on for the entirety of the 2025 season.

“Nobody comes out of this well. Not the taxpayer, who loses money. Not the creditors, who lose their money. Not the fans, not the players, and not anybody that likes rugby league.”

Calling out the game’s governing body, he questioned the measures that were taken by the RFL when they initially allowed the takeover to happen.

He said: “There needs to be a deep enquiry into what went on. Has there been a lapse of governance? One would suggest absolutely.

“Due diligence, and fit and proper persons test on this ownership group that have dragged the club into unsavoury conditions throughout 2025, how detailed was that? How in-depth was that and what lessons can be learned.”

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Salford Red Devils fans have reasons for hope says Brian Carney

Carney remained optimistic in the future of rugby league in Salford, and firmly believes that, in whatever shape or form it may be, that there will be a Salford side competing in next year’s Championship season.

“It’s a sorry state of affairs that has gone on for too long,” he said. “Thankfully, there’s probably some silver lining on this very dark cloud. I don’t believe Salford as a rugby league club will disappear.

“The company of course has been liquidated, but I believe the goodwill of the fans, and they’ve shown themselves in decent numbers this year, they will resurrect the club, and Salford will compete in the Championship next year.

“That doesn’t mean, however, we should gloss over what has happened, and what has got us to this sorry situation.

“…Bradford come back into Super League next year, as we know. That famous old club was liquidated sadly in 2017, again with some creditors losing money, but they resurrected themselves, built back up, and are now in the elite level competition. For Salford fans, there is hope on the horizon.

“Nobody comes out of it well, it’s a sorry state of affairs”
“There is hope on the horizon for Salford”

Brian Carney believes Salford can be resurrected as a rugby league club after the Red Devils were liquidated following their HMRC hearing 🔴 pic.twitter.com/Z7tO2g0AV5

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 3, 2025