THE ORIGINAL RED DEVILS

A Christmas message from Ian Blease

“I’d like to wish all Salford Red Devils supporters, their families, friends and the wider rugby league community a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for me since joining the club, but it is extremely satisfying seeing the signs of progress that are being shown across the board both on & off the field. I do ask for you, our loyal fans to spread the word about the club and bring friends, family and long lost supporters back down to the The Salford Stadium to get behind the team next season so we grow in size and numbers together as one!!

Head Coach Watson is putting together a team that is going to be a genuine force in the Betfred Super League for 2017, pre-season training is going really well and I can’t wait to see the boys play again and build on their efforts from last season, aided by the new signings that we have bought in for 2017, we will carry on actively searching the markets for players who we can bring in.

The whole middle 8’s process, culminating in the Million Pound Game was a tense experience for all of us, and I assure you, as a club this is something that we have no intention of being part of again.Despite the nail biting end to last year, I genuinely believe that foundations were laid for this club to go forward and establish ourselves as serious contenders for years to come.Off the field activity has started and we will continue to work hard to grow the profile of the club and increase our fan base, we look forward in the new year to working with some of the local big companies including Peel Holdings, Salford City Council and the RFL.

At the back end of 2016 we have launched the ‘Schools Player Ambassador Programme’ with our Players & Foundation colleagues and for the start of  2017 a number of very exciting initiatives will be gaining momentum including a new ‘Business Breakfast Club’ and we will be building our new ongoing partnerships and visits to local shopping & leisure centres and gateways, so look out for these in the New Year.

There is still a lot of hard work to be done if we are to achieve what everybody at the club is striving for, which is to make this club the pride of the City, and one of the biggest names in Rugby League, but it is hugely encouraging to see that Season Ticket sales have already surpasses last years total, but we need more so spread that word!!

I hope you liked our video shoot for our new home shirt and it has been selling well. We will be doing another shoot in January for the away kit so watch this space.

The conversations I have already had with many of you, tells me that the appetite for rugby league in Salford is still as strong as ever. It is our job now to capitalise on that and there will be more hard work and action in 2017 so once again, I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas. Here’s to an exciting Super League 2017!!

Ian Blease

CEO

Salford Red Devils RLFC

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