Salford Red Devils fans invade pitch during Wakefield Trinity clash

Salford Red Devils fans invaded the pitch on Friday night as the club’s Super League season came to a close.

The Red Devils were taking on Wakefield Trinity at the Salford Community Stadium and ultimately lost 52-16 despite pushing their visitors, who have secured a spot in the play-offs, close in the first half.

Salford owner Curtiz Brown was in attendance and fans could be heard chanting towards him during the game. However, play was paused with five minutes remaining on the clock as some fans rushed onto the field in celebration of Jack Walker’s try in the corner.

Flares were thrown onto the pitch and with referee Jack Smith halting proceedings, the celebrations quickly turned into protests as chants of ‘you’re not fit to run the club’.

Those on the pitch eventually returned to the stands to allow the final five minutes of the game to play out. However, fans entered the field of play once more after the full-time whistle, with many showing their discontent towards the club’s ownership.

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Ultimately, Sky Sports had to cut their coverage short, too, with an interview with man of the match Jake Trueman being interrupted by a supporter voicing his anger down the barrel of the camera. As such, Paul Rowley and Daryl Powell did not speak to the broadcaster.

Salford fans could be seen protesting outside the ground prior to kick-off with supporter group The 1873 broadcasting the protests on social media and it comes with the club now facing an uncertain period.

It has been confirmed that Salford have not applied to play in Super League next season and with the club’s winding up hearing with HMRC set to take place next month after twice being pushed back, there is serious concern about the future of the club.

That hearing had been adjourned on the promise of a bridging loan but speaking earlier this week Salford mayor Paul Dennett outlined his belief that the loan has not arrived.

“The last update I heard was that this bridging loan sadly has not materialised,” he said. “I think the fans and the supporters suspected this all along.

“We previously took the new owners at their word, but it hasn’t materialised, and the high court hearing around HMRC has been adjourned as well off the back of this alleged bridging loan materialising.”

Ultimately, Wakefield were the winners on the night and they can now look forward to a do or die clash with Leigh Leopards next week.