SALFORD might have been heavily beaten 44-0 by Oldham on Friday night, but their head coach Mike Grady has signalled his pride in his players and insists the new club can build from here.
Salford, who were only admitted into the Championship on 22nd December, had only one training session before their opening match, which was watched by an emotional crowd of around 5,000 at the Salford Community Stadium.
“It was a disappointing result, obviously but I couldn’t be prouder of the boys,” Grady said.
“They gave 110 per cent effort, which I said they would. The occasion was fantastic, I’ve never experienced anything like it. The Salford fans were just fantastic. Result aside, the boys gave it their all and we just have to go on from that.”
The Roughyeds led 16-0 at half-time and then piled on the points in the second half.
Grady, who was only appointed on January 5, revealed his new team had only trained together once before Friday’s fixture, but they can grow in the future.
“It was a big effort,” he said.
“A couple of days ago we only had 15 players and one of them was a doubt. Some of the lads only had one session, so to come and do what we’ve done tonight was brilliant. And the occasion was great.
“But we’ve just got to kick on from that now. We had an hour together on Wednesday. I’ve got some good staff here, [assistant coach] Dave Hewitt is fantastic, he’s attack-minded, so we just focused a lot on that on Wednesday and went from there.”
Grady praised the atmosphere generated by the fans during the game.
“I’d say the emotion was there, it was a big factor,” he said.
“I was upstairs but I could hear how wild it was. They must have stirred the lads on and given them the kick they needed during the game.”
Forward Charlie Glover was forced from the field during the first half clutching his arm. It was confirmed after the match that the prop had dislocated his shoulder.
And there was a significant delay during the first half, when a spectator was taken ill and the game was suspended for around 20 minutes, with the fan being taken away in an ambulance.
Fortunately the paramedics were able to ensure his survival.
Salford next face Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the Challenge Cup before taking on Barrow Raiders away.
And Grady insists that his fledgling side will get better.
“There is more to come from us,” he said.
“There were a few amateurs in there today, a few loanees and we’ve got a lot of reserves from last year and from different clubs. But there were times in that game when we played some good rugby.
“From now on I just want us to express ourselves and have a good go at every team we play.”