Salford given 14-day winding-up petition reprieve

A third time has been adjourned for a winding-up petition filed against Red Devils of Salford, a troubled rugby league team.

After the club claimed they were confident in obtaining a bridging loan to pay a tax bill to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the petition was initially adjourned in June.

The club was about to wrap up the 2025 Super League season on the heels of its second adjournment on September, but Wednesday’s adjournment was made to allow the club to “secure the necessary funds.”

In a club statement, it is stated, “We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution.”

“As soon as possible, additional updates will be made available.

The Red Devils struggled financially in 2025 despite an impressive 2024 campaign under the direction of then-boss Paul Rowley, who led them to a fourth-place finish and a play-off spot.

On the eve of the 2025 season, Salford were eventually taken over by a consortium led by Swiss businessman Dario Berta after demanding an advance of their 2025 central distribution in late 2024.

However, the club’s situation have gradually deteriorated, with Salford City Council pulling out of negotiations with the Red Devils over the club’s May purchase of their home at Salford Community Stadium while chief executive Chris Irwin resigned less than three months into the position.

The Red Devils frequently fielded young opponents and were forced to settle for a number of humiliating defeats, including St Helens’ record-breaking 82-0 victory at the start of the season due to a sustainability cap placed on the club by the Rugby Football League.

Owners of the club were criticized even more as chief operating officer Claire Bradbury stepped down after she claimed the ownership had suggested she “sleep with someone at the Rugby Football League” to ease their situation after previously promising the club would not close despite its financial difficulties.

Due to the club having only two senior players available, Salford’s Super League game against Wakefield was later called off due to “significant” welfare concerns, which led to fan protests that persisted as the season progressed.

Kurt Haggerty, who was supposed to take over as Rowley’s head coach for 2026, left the organization and eventually took over for the newly-promoted Bradford Bulls for the following season. Rowley finally left the organization earlier this month at St Helens.