Super League bosses summoned to emergency meeting as club faces financial crisis

Salford Red Devils are facing fresh financial difficulties, with the Super League club set to ask their peers for an advancement on their central distribution. Rugby League Live can reveal a meeting has been set for Thursday in which Salford will request to receive central funding early due to new financial issues.

The Reds, who have a history of financial challenges, find themselves in need of support after suffering setbacks in the off-season and they are thought to be requiring around £500,000 to get through their current situation.

Club officials are set to explain the matter in detail to their counterparts in this week's meeting, but it's believed that financial projections based on Salford City Council taking over the Salford Community Stadium have not yet come to fruition, resulting in the club finding itself in need of support.

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The fact that the meeting has been arranged in haste has left sources feeling that Salford's predicament must be serious. The club's payroll is due before the end of the month.

In the past 18 months, Salford have sold three star players, Tyler Dupree, Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers, all for six-figure fees, while a Community Share Scheme saw supporters raise £364,270. Despite that, the club finds itself with another financial issue.

It has been suggested to Rugby League Live that Salford are in a position to get through November but without some financial support, they are set to come unstuck in December. Loans are already believed to have been acquired but that isn't enough to get Salford through to the new year.

How much support Salford receive from their Super League counterparts remains to be seen but this publication has spoken to some senior figures who are sceptical about the situation given the frequency of their financial issues. Last November, Salford were placed under special measures after asking for an advancement on distribution, and they now find themselves in the same situation a year on. They would enter special measures once again if their request is approved. At the same time, others are aware of the implications for the competition should Salford's situation deteriorate.

The club are hoping to erect a giant billboard which will overlook the M60 in the future which, it is anticipated, will significantly enhance their revenue streams. However, that has not materialised as it stands, with the club still waiting for the benefits of the council taking over the stadium to materialise.

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