idrewthehaggis

I know some rascals are attempting a protest of kind before, during or after the game, so I hope you are referring to purely sporting matters. The truth is that SRD - like one of those wounded zebras, surrounded by ravenous lions in another David Attenborough documentary - offer such easy prey.# The only shock will be if Wigan struggle. So looking forward to history perhaps. Can Wigan outdo Saints 82-0 victory? Yup its grim up here in north Manchester.

When we went to Newcastle for Magic Weekend, virtually everyone we met from the RL family, wanted to pass their sympathies. Most were correct in seeing Solly's demise brought on by the shocking incompetence of Kingonomics and the following on Consortium rabble. Most spoke how everyone from supporters,sponsors, other clubs,the local council, the RFL and so on had been kept in the dark. Some of us though, struggle to be kind, considerate or even adult. A life lounged in hate, might be wonderful for the likes of Donald, Nigel and various sour misfits on forums, but it is not a life worth living. Soon SRD will be gone. Maybe for a few that demise will bring warmth to their malice. There is always one.

Gosh I forgot your wont for programmes. Fair dos fella. FC United do electronic versions as well. Does that count in the Roosterverse? Ah well, as someone most likely to frequent the lower reaches, what should us Salfordians expect in League One?

Rooster that was 81-2 you know when Solly came 5th. I know as it was my first season. I'd say it mattered less then as being in the second tier didn't seem as harsh as it is now. I mean four up, four down. Imagine that now!! Given the seemingly inevitable descent to the lower reaches of professional RL for Salford, will you return if they are out of "super greed?"

There are better preserved 2000 year old Roman amphitheatres along the Med than Odsal. And as for support, half the city are barely affected by RL, and seemingly half the other 50 pct would riot if that disinterested dynamic of the city turned up.

Manchester Centenarians?1/ Leigh's connection to "Manchester" is merely geographical. Sort of how Tijuana is two hours from Orange county. There but not there. Its most famous son - Pete Shelley- could not get out quick enough from a place that its fair to say he wouldnt (cough) have flourished in. Call what you want, but you ain't us and I doubt you can't, don't want to be us. I can, though see Swinton buying out a crippled Salford. Swinton and Salford/Salford and Swinton. SaS! erm. The Devil Lions. Erm erm.

As a Salford supporter, I have purposely avoided this forum and particularly this thread, Way too much bile and anger, as well as too much awkward, dismal truths. Really do I want to be arguing with parochial UKIPer types from small towns who have obscure dislike of anything vaguely Manc/Solly. Its all a feckin' shambles. RFL- Well no shock there. RL media - bar Gary Carter, no better than fanzine writers or client journalists. The RL "family" - well even less surprise there neither about the vile. Every sports fan, knows its a trinity of separate parts. The supporters, players/staff and owners/administrators. As a club, those in charge have badly let us fans down. Not the fans, not the players.The previous leadership seems to secretly and ridiculously indebted the club so much that it places SRD's future in jeopardy. It seems a community orientated entity, backed by supporters cash through shares was seemingly a ruse to pay off unknown unfeasible debt and possibly pay directors wages in my opinion. A lack of transparency seems to have hide the crisis. Supporters and maybe the RFL unwittingly unable to respond. The apparent new owners seemed to have offered very little so far. We await cake tomorrow, whilst we are today served missed wages, residing in special measures and either pishing off or departing players. Tell me otherwise, but this feels to me like asset stripping, reducing costs and possible administration to dodge debt in order to build a cheap championship club, whilst the stadium's numerous new revenue streams are used by Swiss Toni to pay off any debts. Keep the club on the cheap, sell out it all in five years for a massive profit, having never contributed a penny. It of course did not have to go this way. Its that stadium.The correction of the bad deal of moving to Barton. The numerous revenue streams - jumbo tron, naming rights, advertising, rent and hire, food and drink, hospitality, events, car parking, Sale's rent et al would more than raise the million needed each season to be a SL club. And lets not count what would have come if this was truly a FC United/Wimbledon style community entity, plus the support Salford City council offers. Currently its dismal. In the greater scheme, family, friends, health and well being, Ukraine, the middle East, Trump, Rachelonomics, are far more important, but it still hurts. IMO, a regional sport where the game hasn't a top tier club in its biggest conurbation and most significant financial. cultural centre is driving towards obscurity. Hope dies last. But just maybe, Swiss Toni will rock up this month with the magic money tree of Boggart Hole and a couple of Jackson Hastings. Maybe. Happy to be wrong. Lets see......

Yup a 12 year plan. Not even Stalin was that ambitious. The IMG/RFL aspirations are/were- : I wasnt going to dwell here until the season starts. And I was keenly avoiding that "Salford in trouble" thread, as it is inhabited by the usual; fun friendly RL family types. However any whiff of idle speculation appeals to me. So hello and happy new year comrades. Sorry lad, but cant say I can endorse much of what the OP has posted. Good ideas nevertheless. I was all for the IMG vision, until I discovered a "A" had been given to a certain club with a rancid ground and scored points by imaging and then unimagining some clearly imaginary monies. Thats bollix. As for trusting RFL leadership. Sadly I dont have much confidence. Shame as if anything, that is exactly what is needed. A dynamic, progressive central authority to push through the changes needed. Yup more centralisation of tasks-ticketing, publicity, academies and even merchandising. Greater scale equates to (hopefully erm) more edge and at least a consolidation/reduction of costs. Clearly we need senior city clubs-London, Leeds, Hull, Manchester/Salford and Newcastle. Then the "heartland" clubs, Wigan, Cas, etc. Collective funding to address individual issues-Salford crowds, Cas-facilities and toilets, And lets flush those flat caps who want an exclusive Yorkshire league with Wigan and Saints added on as a second thought. Make SL what it is a proper European competition. A real Franco-English concern, not the M62 plus a token French club. Roll on the season please.

Disappointed, but hey ho such is life, such is sport. Thankfully many many other distractions when you live in the Big Shock City than RL. Its Christmas soon. Loads of gamesmanship, a useful idiot with a whistle, some mysterious, if not odd team tactics by the Reds, prop pack that works and a freak marvel called Ipape and Leigh grunted to a victory. Well done. See you all next year. But Change is coming down Salford way. Our ever welcoming "RL Family" gleefully condemned Solly last Winter. Bleasy topping up his pension, Croft off to conquer all, Rowley parachuting into the next crisis club with mounting debts. All I now sense is exasperation, if not muted fury from various embarrassing uncles of the "RL family." Disappointed, but let me boils their with reality. Finished 4th. Stadium deal done Fan ownership ongoing. New revenue steams opening Academy starting MacDonald and Sneyd in dream team. Marc E winner of the Goldthorpe. probably Man of Steel as well. Biggest home crowd in a lifetime, average 5,100 over the 14 games .Full support of GMA, Salford councils, if not the Government. Inevitable 15 plus points for IMG. All good, all Salford. Now we are out, mine and plenty of Reds move on and watch afar at what Big club from a small town succeeds. Maybe the IMG results might merit some scrutiny. Best of luck everyone.

Any idea of who gets what then Coggo et al?

This initially sounds great, until you realize its for early February, so yeah its multiple layers of the hardiest insulating clothing, as yer man uncomfortably stands on an open terrace, showered by horizontal Yorkshire ice rain.

Billy I barely remember, but do remember that program. It was my first entry into RL. Terns like that was a "hospital pass," bemused and treated me. Aside from listening to the recently deceased Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh poetically describing the GAA, Sunday was a barren sporting environment. No idea what the music was. Personally I would write or email the sports dept at BBC Radio Manchester.

Undoubtedly pleasing win, not just as it was over the seemingly emerging "derby" opponents (well not really but it will do) but mainly after that shellacking at KR last week. It was charistically Sollyesque" was it not. Lots of of the "New Entertainers," and free flowing ball in hand, but the usual defensive liabilities and cardiac inducing jeopardy by the Mighty Reds. First Vela is a good referee. Strengthens mine and others thoughts for our and NRL refs to have work placements on the opposite side of the world. Second Solly crowds are already 5% up from last season, despite playing at some odd times. Third it appears the Stadium deal is done, details to follow, most likely at the Club's AGM in May. As for the Chinese, I presume they are the people behind some major skyscraper development in nearby Eccles. It is said half the deals in Ireland are said in the hospitality suits at Croke Park, so good to see City Mayor Paul Dennant accompany the new investors at the game. This is the City. This is Salford. All are welcome.

Absolutely nothing wrong for local authorities to loan money out to boost a business and also reap the interest off such investments. For further reading, it all can be seen here. www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/local-authorities-borrowing-and-investment-bill-house-commons-23 I know some live in a "post truth society" and I guess we all can smell the advocates of the rancid fading neocon/populist project that detests any public subsidy (unless of course its in their neighbourhood/golf club or private school.) Aside from what Salford City council are doing for their local club, its a precedence, it's legal and its successful for all. There is this- The £12m each from Wakefield MBC to their three professional RL clubs for stadium improvement. The wholly Council funded, owned and run York community stadium is home to the Knights. Huddersfield Giants' play at the John Smith stadium was partly financed, built and run by Kirklees council. Likewise Wigan MBC fully or partly paid and still run the Robins Park and LSV, where Wigan and Leigh play respectively. Leeds were able to upgrade Headingley through a commercial loan, guaranteed by their City council. KR's Craven Park was rebuilt in partnership with the City council via the Kingston community development and now have an running partnership with Hull college. FC were helped by the council in developing and supporting them at the MKM stadium. Bradford wanted "Levelling Up" funds to renovate Odsal. And finally it is given that local authorities support their sports clubs in Toulouse and Catalan. Whilst I can't as yet see any evidence local government support came for Warrington or St Helens, I am sure that the new roads around them weren't funded or are maintained by their owners. But hey ignore the the facts, kids, mince yer misery, ignite yer ignorance. if you want.And let the rest of us support and enjoy the Game.

It was clearly set in stone, As the gloom, the sodden gloom cast over Manchester, we made our way to the ground. Apprehension abound, I switched the radio on, it jumped to Slack City radio and straight up came. The skies darkened, but the mood was other wise. It seemed right. KR are a good side Clearly should be in the mix come the autumn, but that Salford performance has certainly warmed me this late winter. As a side, near was a gang of Germans, who it transpired where on a "Sports wochenende/ Weekend," taking in not just SOlly, but the games at Huddersfield Town and Burnley FC. At the end, all smiles and I heard the cries of "Ja das was extraordinary! and "Das war gehr gut." Yeah these lads were mightily impressed. So was I. Anyway enjoy the moment as much challenging tasks in Merseyside await. Pleased to meet you.

It may be one of few delights in following Salford, in enjoying a sweet warm sirocco like wind breeze up the erm Ship Canal under a milky gold and pink sky over the nearby sewage "farm" and the motorway bridge. The alternative is the best dalmart can produce wrapped around us like the pastry of a sausage roll, this time deep in the freezer, whilst the rain descends like frozen fire on a small open west Yorkshire terrace. So no.

To pass so young is deeply sad. Malcolm was a star. Excelling the very qualities you'd desire in a player. A fine recipe of talent, skill, determination, and honesty. He was central to me returning to RL in the noughties due to his integrity on the field. Thank you fella for the memories.

Quite happy with these kits. The design is concise and tidy. Any doubts I had of this being fussy, tacky or over engineered have been put to rest. It will do fine.

No. Rent is negotiable. depending on market forces and it's communicant value. Ask away or go back and read my responses on here.

This is false and incorrect. Be patient kids, these things take time.

Well I can not offer a cast iron declaration given this is politics, in an era of the exceptional and sudden. COVID, Ukraine War, Brexit - in recent years and its capacity to alter or postpone the best laid plans. But be re-assured that only truly exceptional circumstances will cause SRD not to be playing at the Salford Stadium next year. Whilst I am less than pleased "Special Measures" have been activated, I am re-assured it seems that people are talking and are devising schemes to get through this situation. The club is not going burst. How silly. It will be a struggle for Solly until the club's revenue streams are stablized, if not the RFL as well. If anything, then it might be a learned lesson, to always have a Plan B and not to wholly trust what the RFL suits tell you. And not to expect instant action from bureaucrats and politicians. It works on its own clock. Oh and that buy in a better media team, lads. Anyway those fixtures. What a bollix up. Nevertheless looking forward to the Big Easter clash. Always forward.

Dramatic, but not a drama. James Gordon - from BBC Radio Merseyside - speaks with great sense in that this is most likely about SRD asking for central funding upfront and the RFL - for once acting to the book and their own protocol. Given local Tory meddling has unnecessarily delayed the Council acquisition of a useful piece of office space, thus affecting revenue streams for Solly, I am not surprised they have asked for that central funding. I'd sooner be in this manageable predicament that losing £2.5m per year as some clubs are allegedly are. That and 8 figure sized debts are surely wrong, unsustainable and also akin to financial doping. So a temporary blip. All resolved in good time early next Spring. Next story, move on kids. .

Yup I know. I had only done the TV shows and thought I'd like to read the books, after getting very drunk at that Oxford pub in Edinburgh a year ago.

Cool, seeing Thurston Moore promote his book as part of the Manchester Literacy Festival next week. Last weekend, got to see Calexico perform, their "Feast of Wire" also in "Town" as they call it here in Shock City. Twenty years ago, in circumstances I can not recall, I hear them on the radio and bought a copy of it with the extra bonus.CD with "Alone Again" on it from the sadly departed Selectadisc record shop in Nottingham. When I realized I had missed them touring, you can imagine how delighted I was to "re-enact" history. Much enjoyed, perhaps with the brass live, seen in concert seemed better than on disc. Pished I was again too slow to get tickets for this weekend's Teenage Fanclub. Ah well.

A really excellent read. i can see I am going to enjoy this part of the forum, Now any recommendations? My current list of books being read- 1974-David Peace (2nd time) Knots and Crosses-Ian Rankin Mayflies-Andrew O'Hagen Manchester Unspin-Andy Spinoza The Franco-Prussian War 1970-71-Stephen Bradley Red Rosa (graphic novel)- Katie Evans I want to wanna be Yours-John Cooper Clarke Broken Heartlands-Sebastian Payne That will do me till Xmas now.