Salford Red Devils played what could have been their final Super League game on Friday night and coach Paul Rowley has spoken on what’s next.
Relegation to the Championship seems almost certain for Salford, who have not applied to be the 13th or 14th teams in Super League for 2026, meaning the Red Devils would be relying on their IMG grade to survive.
With their performance score guaranteed to drop, the possible prospect of deducted points, and the gains made by those below the Red Devils, who ranked 12th on IMG score in 2024, their Super League days appear to be over.
It’s unclear for how long though with the club having plenty more unanswered questions, the main one being if this fabled bridging loan will ever land or if the club will actually be wound up by HMRC.
Twice, a hearing with the government body has been delayed on the promise of a bridging loan which still hasn’t arrived and with the season now over, there is understandable fear and concerns over what happens next.
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Paul Rowley seeking Salford Red Devils’ clarity before next steps
Friday night saw Salford lose 52-16 to Wakefield Trinity with the game ending in a pitch invasion as frustrated fans took to the field to continue protesting the owners but also to show appreciation to their players.
Wakefield coach Daryl Powell told BBC Radio Leeds that it wasn’t an “aggressive” pitch invasion, before praising Salford coach Paul Rowley for how he has carried himself in 2025.
Powell said: “Paul [Rowley] and all his staff have done a great job. You can’t imagine unless you’re in that situation how tough it’s been. They’ve done a great job to get to the end with dignity.”
Rowley spoke post-match about the future, underpinning that “the most important thing is that there is a Salford Red Devils”, per the BBC.
After last season’s success saw them finish fourth in Super League, the succession plan of Paul Rowley to director of rugby and assistant Kurt Haggerty to head coach for 2026 was announced. Since then, the club’s financial standing has spiraled with Haggerty leaving and being confirmed as Bradford Bulls’ new head coach.
On the future, Rowey said: “I’ve got a contract as football director but a lot of things have changed since those days.
“The next thing to happen will be the clarity and to see where the club’s at before I’ll be making decisions or having thoughts on things that might never happen.”
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