This week see’s the sixth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, the oldest rugby league competition in the world. The Challenge Cup is significant to the Salford Red Devils as our own Foundation are the custodians of the coveted Lance Todd Trophy, which is awarded to the Man of Match in the final.
As Im sure all of you were, I was really excited when the cup draw paired us with Hull Kingston Rovers at our home, the The Salford Stadium. If the last time we met is anything to go by, this is a game no one will want to miss.
KR are a historic club, and despite dropping down into the Championship this season, Tim Sheens has assembled a squad that is arguably stronger than their 2016 Super League side, and they will provide Ian Watson and the team with a real challenge.
With a place the Quarter Finals in the cup at stake, this is the kind of game that we all live for as supporters, with passion riding high and history playing its part, after all this is a rematch of one the most jaw-dropping clashes the modern game has ever seen.
Recently the club has seen a ground swell of passionate fans openly talking about the desire to grow the support base on the ‘terraces’, and to do this they know that means attracting new families to the stadium and making the AJ Bell a welcoming child friendly experience.
These champions of our club are the same ones who want to avoid any of the ugly scenes that followed the Million Pound Game, and I for one thank them.
One of the things that makes this sport, and the Challenge Cup in particular so special is the family environment and the respect between clubs, so lets all keep this in mind regardless of the result on Friday night.
With things really continuing to click for the team on the field, I’m sure we can make Friday nights game memorable, both on the pitch and in the stands, it will definitely be unmissable.
Ian Blease
CEO
Salford Red Devils
