Head coach Mike Grady has given his verdict after Salford RLFC played their first game under their reborn identity, hosting Oldham in the Championship season opener.
It would have been a fairytale if Salford managed to get the win but the odds were heavily stacked against them and the game went as many will have expected with Oldham running out 44-0 winners, however, that’s of no shame to Mike Grady’s side who didn’t even exist just under a month ago.
When Mason Caton-Brown’s consortium was handed the keys on December 22nd, the club had a matter of weeks to source a kit, a coach and a full squad, something they have managed to do to revive Salford with the fact they’re at the Championship start line a massive achievement in itself.
Fans clearly understood that as numbers approaching 5,000 turned up and head coach Mike Grady spoke on the Salford RLFC YouTube channel to speak on how big the occasion was, regardless of the scoreline.
He explained: “The occasion was massive and it was important and the lads went out and gave 110%, I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“It was a good dig by the boys but it was a fantastic occasion.”
Salford RLFC lose season opener in valiant performance
It wasn’t a game without incidents as Charlie Glover suffered an injury which Grady confirmed to be a dislocated shoulder, whilst a medical emergency in the stands also halted play for some time but the support of the fans was something that moved Grady, who issued a bold statement.
The coach said: “I appreciate it, the staff appreciate it and I’ve never experienced anything like that. If we keep that going throughout the season then I’m sure we’ll win more than we lose.”
Giving an update on Glover, he confirmed: “I think his shoulder has popped out, I’ll go and check on him now as I’ve not been inside yet but I think it popped out and the physio popped it back in so we’ll see how he is.”
Assessing his side, Grady honed in on effort but also talked some tactics with Salford now set to go again next week against Hammersmith Hill Hoists in the Challenge Cup.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” he beamed, adding: “The crowd have only just gone, the players have had a massive dig and there’s bits to work on, which we know, but in terms of effort and commitment, they were fantastic today.
“There was stuff there. We played some really good shape and defensively, it was only 16-0 at half time which was a fantastic effort. They blew us away a bit in the second half but that’s probably down to fitness.”
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Salford Rugby will never die ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/wIBJP656h2
— Salford RLFC (@Salford_RLFC) January 17, 2026
