Salford Red Devils have ‘pulled out’ of a friendly game that had been organised to help the financially troubled club raise funds.
That has been confirmed by League One side Keighley Cougars who had been supposed to host Paul Rowley’s side this weekend after confirming a friendly match that would fundraise for the cash-strapped Super League side.
Salford’s financial situation has been the talk of rugby league for a period of a few weeks with the Red Devils receiving an advance on their central funding back in November to the tune of £500,000.
The club have been searching for investors to help their financial situation, however, they recently released a statement confirming that they have been ordered to cut their overheads by a whopping £800,000.
Shortly after that, League One club Keighley Cougars announced that they had ‘answered an SOS’ from the Red Devils and would be willing to help Salford out.
That help would come in the form of a friendly match at Cougar Park this upcoming Sunday with Keighley paying for Salford’s transport through their own travel partners, whilst also confirming that non-playing players would hold a bucket collection to help raise funds for the Red Devils.
Salford were already slated to be in action against St Helens in Morgan Knowles’ testimonial match meaning that the Red Devils would have likely sent a young squad to Cougar Park, however, it’s now been confirmed that the match has been cancelled altogether.
Keighley took to social media to explain: “Unfortunately Salford Red Devils have had to pull out of the game scheduled for 26th January due to a number of injuries in their squad and clustered first team fixtures.
“We will shortly be able to announce an opponent to visit Cougar Park on 25th January – keep your eyes peeled!”
Salford had been in action this past weekend with a team comprising almost entirely of academy players being beaten handily by Barrow Raiders. Keighley were also on the end of a heavy defeat to Halifax Panthers.
Unfortunately Salford Red Devils have had to pull out of the game scheduled for 26th January due to a number of injuries in their squad and clustered first team fixtures.
We will shortly be able to announce an opponent to visit Cougar Park on 25th January – keep your eyes… pic.twitter.com/5SOj6vAe61
— Keighley Cougars (@Cougarmania) January 20, 2025
