The Rugby Football League (RFL) has announced that a new Salford team, led by former Red Devils player Mason Caton-Brown, has been granted Championship membership for the 2026 season. This decision comes just three weeks after the old Salford Red Devils club was wound up, marking a new era for rugby in the city. The RFL received three "high-quality" proposals for the new team, but ultimately chose Salford RLFC Ltd, citing their "clear commitment to sustainable governance, financial responsibility and long-term stability" as the deciding factor.
Caton-Brown's Vision for the Future
Mason Caton-Brown, the leader of the successful consortium, had previously expressed his confidence in building a competitive team, despite the tight deadline. In an interview with BBC Radio Manchester, Caton-Brown revealed that he had already secured agreements with several players and had a head coach in place, who was "really enthusiastic and ready to go." However, with the season opener against Oldham scheduled for January 16, the new team faces a challenging task to prepare and assemble a full squad in time.
The Road to Revival
The demise of the old Salford Red Devils club was a result of a tumultuous year, marked by a mass player exodus, late wage payments, and heavy defeats, ultimately leading to the loss of their Super League status for 2026. The High Court's decision to wind up the 152-year-old club was a significant blow, but hopes for a phoenix club to rise from the ashes were quickly raised. The RFL's decision to grant Championship status to the new team has brought renewed optimism to the city, with the potential for a fresh start and a new era of success.
The quality of proposals we received reflects the strength of commitment to rugby league in Salford. Our decision, which could not have been made without the clarity and support of Salford City Council and its stadium management team (CosCos), has been taken with the long-term interests of the club, the local community at its heart and the sport of rugby league as a whole. - Abi Ekoku, RFL interim chief executive officer
Challenges Ahead
While the new team's Championship status is a significant achievement, the hard work is only just beginning. As BBC Sport's rugby league reporter Matt Newsum notes, the team is "hugely behind the eight-ball" in terms of recruitment, with most clubs having already secured their players for the upcoming season. The new ownership group, led by Caton-Brown, will need to work quickly to assemble a competitive squad, as well as appoint a coaching team, performance, and medical staff.
The Championship season is set to kick off on January 16, and while the new Salford team faces significant challenges, they have been given a chance to rebuild and start anew. As the team takes to the field against Oldham, it will mark a new chapter in the history of Salford rugby, one that is filled with uncertainty, but also hope and optimism for the future.
Original: BBC Sport
Image: BBC Sport
Written by Npsports
