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2 minutes ago
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has held a meeting with the Rugby Football League to make the case for Salford Red Devils being able to enter the Championship next season.
The Red Devils lost their Super League status for 2026 having finished 15th in this year’s gradings, which partly decide who will play in next season’s expanded 14-team top flight.
The second tier Championship and third tier League One will be combined into one league from next season and, in conjunction with Salford mayor Paul Dennett, Burnham said he had discussed with the RFL the possibility a Salford-based entry being granted for next season.
“This club is too important to its fans but also all of us and anyone who cares about rugby league, as I do,” Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester.
“We will do everything to make sure the club comes back.
“We had a meeting with the RFL, myself and the Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett, and we’ve made the case for the club to start in the Championship, the league below.”
Salford had a hugely troubled 2025 in the lead up to their fate for 2026 being confirmed.
Financial problems, issues with wage payments, a mass player exodus and fixtures being called off overshadowed a dismal campaign on the field which saw them finish bottom of Super League having regularly fielded youth players just to get games to go ahead.
A winding-up petition issued by HM Revenue and Customs has been postponed twice and is set to take place later this month, and Burnham said clarity is needed over that before any long-term plans are made.
“We’re saying, because the council owns the stadium, it’s the council who decide who plays there,” Burnham added.
“The council are ready to back a reborn Salford Red Devils in the Championship at the Salford Community Stadium and we’ve put that case to the RFL.
“There is a court case looming with HMRC so we’ll have to see what’s decided there.
“I just hope now there’s potentially path opening up for Salford Red Devils.”
Asked whether any future for Salford would revolve around a so-called “phoenix club” rather than in its current incarnation, Burnham said: “Possibly, I don’t know, that’s for others to decide.
“There’s still a situation going on with the current owners but I think there is a possible path for Salford Red Defvils to play next season in the Championship but still at the Salford Community Stadium.”
