A new club, headed by ex-Salford Red Devils, London Broncos and Wakefield Trinity back Mason Caton-Brown, was this week granted membership of the RFL and a place in the 2026 Championship.
That secures the sport’s professional future in the city after the Red Devils, who finished bottom of Super League this year, were liquidated at the start of December, with debts estimated as high as £4m.
Hankinson joined the now defunct outfit ahead of the 2024 season and played 15 times this year before leaving to join Leeds Rhinos as a direct result of the club’s financial crisis.
He revealed he is delighted at the latest development and believes the Salford phoenix club can have a bright future.
“It is good news,” Hankinson said. “I don’t know too much about what the blueprint is, the way forward they are going to take the club; the funding for example, I don’t know how much money is going to be put forward.
“I do have an idea of who’s going to be coming into the club as staff, which I can’t mention just yet, but that will be exciting for them. I think there is a good feeling about the change and a fresh start with new people.”
Hankinson will captain Rhinos when they begin their pre-season campaign against Wakefield Trinity on Boxing Day and admitted he is relieved to have put the trauma of last term behind him.
“As a player we weren’t told too much,” he reflected. “We were hearing things at the same time as the fans.
“It’s good news [about the new club] and I hope they can get back on their feet pretty soon. I started at Salford as a kid, coming through the ranks and I hope to see them back in Super League one day.”
Hankinson initially joined Leeds on a short-term deal, but has now signed a contract until the end of 2026.
He will wear the number 14 jersey next year and reckons his latest side are gearing up for a successful campaign.
“It is an exciting time for the team and the club,” he said. “Our goal is to be at Old Trafford next year.
“I do believe we’ve got the squad to do that. There’s some exciting young players and a good mix of older senior players too so I don’t see why not.
“When you see performances like the ones we put in against Hull KR a couple of times last year, especially the one at home, that was quite a dominant performance.
“It’s just a shame we couldn’t back that up into the play-offs, but it shows what we can do. If we can do that consistently this year, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be up there.”
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