After news of the club’s liquidation, former Salford Red Devils CEO Chris Irwin has offered hope with his latest statement.
The day finally arrived that Salford Red Devils would have to face the music with Wednesday’s HMRC meeting confirming that the company would be wound up after months of renewed hearings.
Despite the obvious sadness of a 152-year-old institution being wound up in such circumstances, many Red Devils fans have spoken about a sense of relief that the ordeal is over and plans for rugby league in Salford can begin.
One such plan is being headed up by former CEO Chris Irwin who took to LinkedIn in the aftermath of Wednesday’s verdict to react to the news and to offer insight on a consortium that he’s been working with.
He explained that the consortium had met with prominent fan group The 1873, whose ultimate goal he described as wanting the best for a “rugby league club in Salford”.
Ex-Salford Red Devils CEO shares statement after liquidation
Posting on LinkedIn, Irwin said: “Today marks the end of what has been a turbulent year for fans of Salford Red Devils, its stakeholders and its partners. We all knew it was coming, the inevitable was prolonged. But it’s not the end. The club, its fans, its community will never die.”
On future plans, he said: “A consortium and I, who we will name in due course, have been working in the background to create a realistic and sustainable business plan to take the fabric of our beloved club and start again. Conversations have already begun with a prospective head coach, staff and potential players to take the club forward.
“We have met and discussed initial plans with The 1873, who have been tireless in their defence of our club, and various other stakeholders and partners, who only want what’s best for a Rugby League club in Salford.
“At this time, we can’t release any further details of our plan or the process we’ll have to go through, but we hope for a quick resolution so the club can successfully compete in the 2026 Betfred Championship.”
Salford are scheduled to start the Championship season off on Friday, 16th January, just six weeks away but plenty has to happen before then for the Red Devils, or whatever name any phoenix club adopts, can take to the field.
A statement from the RFL after the HMRC decision said: “Following today’s court decision, Salford Red Devils’ membership of the RFL has been terminated with immediate effect.
“The RFL Board will meet tomorrow, following which, detail on the process to new club ownership will be advised.”
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