for too long ,we have always flattered to decieve, one game we are capable of beating the best in the league ,then lose to the worst ,thats what i have come to expect watching the reds ,but no more , we must now push on if we want to be one of the big clubs again , for too long in the past we have been run like a small club ,so infect we had become one ,no matter which way you look at it ,now is our chance to move on from that ,and once again become a big club , but this i feel it has to start this season , we now have many good players in our team ,so our results should improve , the marketing of our team needs to improve ,we need to get as many schoolchrildren at the willows as possible , bring everyones kids you know ,be like the pipe piper , they our are future fans , support your team to the max bring mates from work , its about all of us doing the most we can to make this a season to remember


keep the faith

is this the 'Pipe Piper' - SHMOKINIIIINNNNGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Smithy, I was halfway thru the post almost convinced I was reading a Martin Luther King jnr speech, tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat .... then, the Pipe Piper moment and my 'dream' was all over.

two versions of the legend:
one, we drown the nippers in the Irwell
two, a hole opens on chain brew and the kids dance in never to be seen again.

Which one.

Is the piper, Gardner, Moz, or Sinfield?

Well said Smithy! . . like you said now is the best opportunity for this club to rise from the superleague doldrums and go to new unfamiliar heights. But it isn't us you need to convince I think it's the coaching staff and some of the players that may need to hear your motivational pep talk. Here's to a new positive mindset! It could turn out like one of those corny american sports team movies where a team of no hopers go on to win the big prize. I can see it now . . coming back from 0-30 down to win with a last minute length of the field try at Old Trafford in next years Grand Final.

For me we have always been a big club but trapped or tombed in a small club , there has in the past been barriers which have prevented us reaching goals ie quality of player, lack of money, bad management and sometimes even lack of composure when undertaking new marketing strategies.

One by one the barriers have been jumped over and the club suddenly are starting to act and look like the real deal

New stadium starting to come out of the ground
Reaching out to new potential fans
Purchasing a better quality of player
current players begining to appear @ international level
Salford city reds starting to emerge from rugby league forgoten place to back amungst the top boys like the real glory days of the 70s

We arnt there yet there will be battles to be had and won before we get there but what a position to be in, to look forward and not back we're all doing it, previously people get dragged down with broken promises by the club but in many ways these broken promises may have been dress rehersals for this very moment when the spotlight falls on us again but this time it reaily matters .

The two factors which will make or break this journey (because success is a journey and not a destination ) are :

How will our old fans react to the new stadium appearing and all the positive news? The fans that have had their hearts ripped out with previous faliure and given it up as a bad job will they be willing to dip their toe in one more time?
Half a wiff of success and they'll be back dont you worry i just hope the club have the structures in place to deal with the potential stampeed and dont get bum rushed.

players, our players, the players who have been given the opportunity to represent salford city reds in this historic season how will they react to the added pressure of being involved in the emotional powder keg of the last season @ the willows.

It would be good if by november when they start preseason the likes of smithy and ste nash who arnt shy about having "ins"gets the message over that us fans look down our list of players and arnt embarrased about what we see, print out any emotional uplifting posts on here and stick them on the changing room wall help them become inspired and let them know we're with them from the "get go" and not just from february onward.

i just hope the whole salford city reds community (the club, the players, us, new fans, sponsors) just grab this opportunity and run with it and see where it takes us.

For me next year will be a huge success if the following ten things happen:-

1. Another 1000-1500 through the turnstiles and a vocal shed right behind the team.
2. Existing players improve/develop and move up to another level.
3. New players settle in early and give their all. (Not just here on a wind down before retirement)
4. Top 8 finish.
5. The two new assistant coaches make a real difference to the teams training/preperation.
6. Big improvement in the teams defence and metres gained per carry.
7. Attempt to play a more entertaining brand of rugby.
8. Attract new sponsors/fans on the back of better results/new stadium with better marketing.
9. Bumper gate for the last ever Willows match.
10. A More positive atmosphere around the club and visual evidence on the pitch of real team spirit like when Big Karl was coach.

I don't think this is being unrealistic it's all achievable.

what about eccles they are one of the top teams ,there in national divison one but the chances of signing players from local teams ,are slim as salford sign the best crop of youngsters at a young age ,im sure about 14 ,