Salford Red Devils CEO Chris Irwin has spoken about the club’s finances and the upcoming payday, insisting wages will be paid on time in March.
That’s in contrast to February when the Salford players and staff were not paid on time with confirmation of that coming on the same night that Hull KR hammered the Red Devils at Craven Park, reigniting the whole saga regarding the club’s finances.
Those wages were eventually paid and as we approach the payday for March, club CEO Chris Irwin has insisted that the owners have put a “significant amount of money in” to ensure that wages are paid.
One positive for the Red Devils is that there are less wages to pay following the exits of Marc Sneyd and Brad Singleton, whilst Irwin also revealed that Tim Lafai has returned home to Australia when speaking to BBC 5 Live Extra on Thursday night.
Speaking prior to the club’s 23-10 win over Huddersfield, Irwin said: “I spoke to the owners who have assured me that there is a significant amount of money in the account to ensure that payroll gets through this month.
“We don’t want the same thing that happened last month happening this month. It was quite frankly embarrassing, it was embarrassing for the club and it was played out in the media but more so than that, it affects people’s lives.
“Me as the CEO of this club never wants to see staff worried about mortgage payments and bills and everything else so it’s important that the owners ensure that money is in our account this month and everything gets paid on time.”
Salford Red Devils’ financial woes timeline
Whilst paying players and staff is one thing, the Red Devils still owe the RFL money after they received an advance but that money will not be repaid until “significant money” drops.
Irwin said: “That’s another reason why we’re still in the sustainability cap as there’s half a million that still needs to get paid back to the RFL and again that will come once the significant money drops.”
It could therefore be that the Red Devils are playing under this £1.2 million restricted salary cap for some time, something that Irwin admits is frustrating but he underlined his belief that things will eventually get sorted.
“I can completely understand everyone’s frustrations,” he said.
“I’ve got faith in these owners, they’re here and they’re doing the right things and having the right meetings. It’s just slower than expected.”
