Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley said after his side’s defeat at Wigan that he is hoping to see an end to the club’s financial crisis next month.
The Red Devils lost 54-0 to the Warriors, as they continue operate under a salary cap sanction due to concerns over their current takeover, with players and staff receiving their wages late for the second consecutive month earlier this week.
Rowley has been left seriously short of options, with the sanctions exacerbated by a lengthy injury list and the recent departure of key players.
While two senior members of his squad refused to play at Wigan due to the financial uncertainty – with Kallum Watkins and Chris Atkin being reported to choose not too.
“I’ve always been looking to the middle of April for the proposed stadium purchase,” Rowley said.
“So logic tells me you might need a few quid to purchase a stadium. This is purely me, not fact, but my rationale was to fasten my seat belt and hold on, with a couple of bumpy months coming up.
“That’s just my rationale, which I explained to the players the other day. If that is right, and I’m not saying I’m right, then I guess the lack of communication throughout, outwardly and inwardly, has led to people making their own mind up.”
On the two players who refused to play on Sunday – reported to be Kallum Watkins and Chris Atkin.
Paul Rowley continued: “I think the healthiest way for me is to focus on the players that were playing and in that dressing room because they deserve my full attention. I’ll give my full energy to them.”
Throughout the fixture, Wigan ran in 10 tries against Rowley’s depleted side at the Brick Community Stadium to climb up to third place in the table as Salford slipped to a fifth defeat in six matches.
Wing Jake Wardle went over for a hat-trick, full-back Jai Field scored twice and there were also tries for Junior Nsemba, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Sam Walters and Josh Eckersley.
From minute 1-80, thank you to our travelling supporters for your backing – it means the world 👹❤️ pic.twitter.com/QQceYu8mWQ
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) March 30, 2025
Despite the scoreline, Rowley said he was proud of his players, adding: “They were fantastic. We don’t like losing obviously and we won’t accept mediocrity.
“But we’ll judge it and the efforts on its merits. I can’t have any complaints on effort.”
Wigan were able to bounce back from their recent Betfred Challenge Cup exit against Hull FC and last week’s defeat at Leeds.
However, after the win Wigan boss Matt Peet, said his players felt “a bit of empathy” towards their Salford counterparts.
He said: “We just had to get the job done today and I thought the players did it. If some of the lads dropped their standards a little bit today, I wouldn’t be judging them too harshly.”
Peet also said he had sympathy for Rowley, adding: “Yes, 100 per cent. He will be proud of his players. He can only do the job as best he can.
“His players are in a tough predicament at the moment and you hope to see them come out the other side.”
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