Over forty years on from their championship winning season, Salford Red Devils recorded arguably their best ever Super League season.
Salford Reds made it to their first ever Super League Grand final, a year on from finishing second from bottom in the 2018 regular season.
The club’s Chief Executive, Ian Blease, said: “It’s a typical underdog story. The underdog comes to the forefront and challenges the big boys of Super League and that’s exactly what we did.”
Although it was St. Helens who came out on top in the final at Old Trafford earlier this month, Blease looked back on a memorable season for the Reds.
Blease said: “In the history of the club it’s probably up there with the winning team that was successful in winning the championship in the seventies.”
Facing relegation from the Super League not so long ago, Salford Red Devils were again expected to struggle as the club were second favourites to go down this year.
Blease revealed: “We probably had the smallest squad in Super League and the smallest budget. For us to actually get to the Grand final, being honest I didn’t think it would happen this early, if ever.
“For a club like us to get there is a massive, massive achievement. It’s a shame we couldn’t win it.”
Salford Reds finished the season in second place in the Super League stats table in terms of tries scored, a year on from finishing bottom, and scored 69 more tries then then they did in 2018.
Speaking about the impact of a Grand final appearance, Blease said: “I think brand-wise it’s huge, it puts us on the map as being one of the top Super League clubs contending for Old Trafford hopefully every year now.
“Everyone knew the name of Salford Red Devils after the season because the brand of rugby we were playing was brilliant.
“Season ticket sales are now on the up. Commercially, sponsors are coming to the table a bit more easier. So, in terms of business, it takes you to the next level.”
However, with the loss of key players like Jackson Hastings, questions have been asked on whether the current squad is good enough to compete next season.
Blease said: “We’ve had in total 12 players leave from last year, which if you think about it is absolutely mental that 12 players leave a grand final team, it just shouldn’t happen.
“I guess you never replace players who have got you to a final, but it’s something we’ve had to do year on year really, to change, manoeuvre and manipulate with the sale of various players.”
Former Salford Red captain, Blease spoke about what it was like to return to an Old Trafford final with the club he spent 12 years playing for. Blease recalled: “It was amazing. It was an absolutely fantastic experience.
“Walking behind the team when the fireworks went off and seeing all the fans, it was just brilliant to see.”
Asked on the possibility of two back to back finals, Blease said: “I don’t think there’s any reason why, with the signings we’ve got, that we couldn’t go there again.
“You’ve got that mentality set within the club now that look, you can do it, you can apply yourselves, you can beat the big boys.”
With the return of a Salford Reds reserve team next season, Blease highlighted his aim to have more local players involved in the first team.
Blease said: “I’m quite excited about it. I have a vision of a Greater Manchester talent pathway coming through this club, with five local players playing for the first team in five years’ time.”
The new scheme will be funded by the Salford RLFC Supporters’ Trust, who Blease praised for their continuing support.
Looking ahead to 2020, Blease has high hopes and said: “I’m pretty confident we’ll have a good season. I’m confident with the guys who we’ve signed, and the squad will learn from last year.”
The CEO also spoke highly of the head coach, Ian Watson. Blease said: “If you work closely with him you’ll see the detail and the time and the effort.
“The one-to-one’s, the man-management side that he does with the players is tremendous.
“He’s really into his team ethos. He knows that the backroom staff are in it with him, it’s one big team.”
So, with Salford kicking off the 2020 season away to St. Helens, Blease believes it will be a different atmosphere. Blease said: “Other teams will now step up knowing that were going to come to bring a game. We will raise our game now as a result of that and match everything they throw at us”.
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