Quote: Noel Cleal "
When you consider that Salford could have just loaned a team from Oldham or Rochdale it does seem quite bizarre.
I understand why Salford have done this from a player welfare perspective. However Ian Blease rubbed me the wrong way with his calls for a draft system.
Salford Providing nothing then asking for an equal share because it is "fair" when in fact them getting nothing would be actually be "fair". Given that, 2020 is messed up and Salford should not be punished for what are freak circumstances.'"
https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... commitment
My take is this in nothing to do with COVID (which gets blamed for all sorts of things). The headline for the link contains the words "Financial" and "Failure" IIRC when Koukash left he did the club a massive favour by trying to leave them in the best financial position he could. He's now severed all ties as I understand it.
Ian Watson showed equal loyalty and gave the club two major Final appearances. He's now severed his ties and owes the club nothing.
To me Salford are now sitting in the financial mire, and as it never rains but it pours sometimes one can only think that the club are at a crossroads where their lack of funding is set to catch up with them. That the punishment was no punishment at all also signals sympathy from the game itself.
Can you blame Ian Blease asking for a draft system when it is now likely Salford players who came to play for Watson, who rescued a few careers and gave some failing players a boost and a greater sense of self worth, will start to slowly walk away??
It's astonishing Salford were let off the punishment for seven years, unless the game were treating them with kid gloves, knowing how close to the edge they were, and perhaps giving them time to find an owner. What has happened this last two years is Salford have been great on the pitch, but nobody of any wealth has come in to buy them. So it's time to apply the "non" punishment and let the club sink or swim.
As per other threads Mr. Sawyer & Mr. Wood would be happy to come into Superleague as would Mr. Beaumont. Watsons fairy tale run was great but Superleague needs the biggest and best backed clubs to be in there.......
