Salford reveal consequences of no takeover as stars ‘told not to play’

CHRIS Irwin believes the ‘mess’ surrounding Salford is a whole lot better than the alternative – going under.

The Red Devils’ chief executive has also claimed ‘three or four’ players ignored pleas by their agents to not take the field.

Late wages and speculation over folding have dominated since a consortium left by Swiss moneyman Dario Berta took over.

Half-back star Marc Sneyd joined Warrington for £75,000 while centre Tim Lafai is returning to his family in Australia – doubts also remain over Nene Macdonald.

SunSport revealed what was meant to be a deal for the Salford Community Stadium and surrounding land had to be flipped on its head and rushed because of the club’s financial state.

And Irwin spelled out what would have happened had it not been, as the owners pay off HMRC debts and high-interest loans previously taken out to pay wages – despite his ‘absolute nightmare.’

He said, admitting a £1.2 million sustainability cap restricting coach Paul Rowley’s selections will remain for the short-term: “They came in when they came in as the club would’ve been dead at the beginning of February.

“It’s fair to say it looks a mess. It’s created major challenges for us and been stressful for everyone – staff, players, coaches.

“But the club’s riddled with debt. We’re paying off £20,000 a week on loan repayments, £1,500 a day on interest rates and charges.

“With all those things, plus money coming in and bouncing back, it’s been an absolute nightmare to deal with. We’re constantly putting fires out.

“But without it, I’m certain the club would’ve gone. It was on its knees and had gone as far as it could go.

“It took some extreme loans and there was nowhere else for it to go at that point. It’s unsustainable as it is at the moment but it can turn positive fairly quickly.”

Salford reached the last eight of the Challenge Cup by beating Championship side Bradford and face Huddersfield in Super League on Thursday.

Positive talks with the city’s council over the stadium and land may lead to a huge funding pot – about £7 million – heading to the Red Devils.

But do not expect many changes for the time being as players wave off calls to not play as the vultures circle.

“The players, naturally, are unsettled as it’s their future and livelihood,” Irwin, paid late himself, added. “We’ve had agents unsettling our players, to the point some phoned on Friday, the day of the game, telling them not to play.

“There were three, possibly four, who were contacted to try and force a deal. It’s absolutely appalling but they all played.

“When you start missing deadlines on pay, that naturally breaks trust. People have mortgages and bills to pay, families to support. This is a culmination of months and months of uncertainty.

“It’s natural when people don’t see anything tangible there would be doubts.

“We’re planning to be under the sustainability cap for another couple of weeks at least. The significant funds coming in are tied in with the stadium and land around it.

“The council has set down what it needs – assurances of the club being viable and ensuring we don’t go under and HMRC don’t call us in.

“Let’s be honest. International investors coming in aren’t interested in rugby league – it’s the land and development opportunities it comes with. We are the caveat for that.

“If it comes off, I’ll run the club and they’ll work on the land and the stadium.”