Sunday saw Salford Red Devils fans turn out en masse to send a clear message to the club’s owners despite their Super League fixture against Wakefield Trinity being cancelled.
That message was a clear one with the fans wanting answers on what exactly it is that the current ownership group want with Salford with communication desperately lacking since the takeover in February.
Since the initial comments in February, statements from the club have been few and far between but three have come in the last week. The first came from the ownership insisting that the club will not die, the second confirmed an investigation would begin after the allegations of misogyny by resigning COO Claire Bradbury, and the third and final came to confirm Sunday’s fixture cancellation.
Not one of those pieces of correspondence gave fans the answers they wanted and many, including Sky Sports’ Jon Wilkin, suggested that the fixture cancellation was a way of ‘running from the protest’.
That protest still went ahead with hundreds of fans turning out to call for answers from owners Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown.
More protests planned at Salford Red Devils
Recently-formed fan group The 1873 had organised the protest and insisted it would still go ahead despite the fixture cancellation and they were clearly right to do so, with those in attendance sending a message that cannot be ignored.
Footage on social media shows the hundreds of protesters marching and chanting and there is a feeling that attention is finally being focused on the club’s plight with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham set to meet the RFL today (Monday).
The 1873 released a statement after the march, labelling it as one of the few ‘proud moments for Salford fans this year’, as they provided an update on Sunday’s events and what is to come in the future.
After thanking those in attendance, including Wigan, Warrington and Widnes fans, the Red Devils fan group explained that more action will come in their bid to help save rugby league in Salford.
They explained: “We promised fans their voices would be heard and today, they were – and we promise they will continue to be heard. Let’s be clear: this is not a one-off. This is just the beginning.
“If the owners thought fans would simply lie down and accept watching our club being ripped apart, they were very wrong.
“The passion, pride and resilience of Salford fans is unrivaled, and we will not stop fighting until we achieve what this club, and its loyal supports, truly deserve.
“Watch this space for further details of protests.”
Salford only have two more home games this season with one of those being another game against Wakefield, however, it’s understood that fans are already hoping to make a statement on their away trip to face Leigh Leopards later this week.
— The 1873 (@The1873_) August 17, 2025
John Dalton
August 18, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Well done to the “1873”.
The sooner that these owners are on a plane to RWANDA, just like all the other old news that they have never said. Will changing the flag over the stadium change your opinion?