Wigan isn't a nice sounding word!

I think salford should go based on their contribution from the three years just passed. Cant be bothered going into it again but its just my opinion, should be two up and two down to really give clubs in the Chp a lifeline and Fax deserve a shot imo

Brilliant. Salford Came up and finished 13th in year one...12th in year 2...and currently pushing for the playoffs in year 3 (although it is still early days but we sit in 9th at the moemnt)

What more could a newly promoted team be expected to do? Do you really think a new team is going to come up and win the league in the first 2 years? Surely steady progress is the best you can expect. ITs taken salford 2 years to lose some of the Championship players from their promotion season and sign a better quality of player, but they are now (slowly) moving towards a brighter future

If you expect FAX/Widnes to come up and perform significantly better than salford (or any other newly promoted team) in the the first couple of years....I think your sadly deluded. The new teams will AlWAYS take a while to grow....hence a 3 year licence.

3 years haven't passed yet though!

They wont be doing anything this year either.
I debated it in another thread recently, cba going into it again. I just said that I agreed with the O.P. sentiments, if we look at the criteria then I dont think salford have contributed all that much. One half built stadium doesnt answer questions towards terrible crowds, no junior development, a lack of contributing to the playing strength of the league et al

?? City - United derby once Salford Get a good team ... and their new Stadium

This topic was started tongue in cheek days ago, can't believe its still running.

At this point it's time to give the following player's some credit:-

Stefan Ratchford
Marc Sneyd
Luke Adamson
Gareth Owen
Jack Spencer
Toby Adamson
Callum Marriott
Alex Davidson
(apologies to others I may have forgotten)

All have come through the Salford Academy system & have represented the Reds at 1st team level in the last 12 months, a sensational acheivement given that they have received no development work from Salford in their time there as confirmed by Dico.

Obviously there's still lots of work to be done in this area, but there are a few Super League teams out there who would struggle to better this & given the budget within which the club has to work & the lack of local amateur clubs compared to many of our SL rivals, I think things are moving in the right direction.

How many started playing the game at Salford junior clubs ?

I recognise some from Wigan and Leigh.

Salford have quite an expansive junior development program, infact, it causes a certain amount of jealousy amongst the St Helens club. To the extent they complained to the RFL, in an attempt to shut it down. FACT.

Now please, engage your brain and don't bother telling me Salford don't produce anything like the amount or quality as St Helens Junior development. I know!

Where were they conceived? That's important surely?

Salford have a history of picking up 16 year olds from Wigan/Saints/Oldham/Leigh junior clubs. Good on em, but any club in the area in SL would also access those players with a FT career path ie the pool isnt increased

Exactly Maurice, that, and only 2 of those players are recognised names. Any club can read down a squad list and pick out players who've played a couple of games when injuries have hit. How many are real first team names? 2?
Widnes at least are looking into the west cheshire area and hoping to expand there, I'd like Salford to look at developing a little further afar than poaching players from Wigan/Leigh service areas. My own club is guilty and this and been pretty poor in the junior development stakes over recent years, the difference being, in this franchise period we've won 2 trophies, sat near the top, average 10,000+ and have only 6 overseas players. Its alright claiming 'only had a couple of years line' but i'd bet anyone Widnes have a higher average finishing position after their 3 years.
Its all opinion, and thats just mine. Salford are a worthwhile club but i'd like to see a bit of movement between the divisions, if Cru dont get their act in gear they're next in line for me

Quote: Saint Simon "It should be pointed out that for a relatively minor sport, and a team from that sport that arnt doing particulary well, and with a Manchester football cup semi final derby on at the same time, its not an outrageous attendance, but its a stupid time and day to hold it!'" menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... hs-verdict interesting to see sale got 17k for there game....can't see that it was mentioned, so there was a definite appetite for rugby in manchester while the semi was being played

Quote: Saint Simon "It should be pointed out that for a relatively minor sport, and a team from that sport that arnt doing particulary well, and with a Manchester football cup semi final derby on at the same time, its not an outrageous attendance, but its a stupid time and day to hold it!'" menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... hs-verdict interesting to see sale got 17k for there game....can't see that it was mentioned, so there was a definite appetite for rugby in manchester while the semi was being played