Sport

Salford Red Devils confirm new owners after completing takeover

Relief for the Red Devils.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 7th February 2025

The takeover of Salford Red Devils has officially been completed with the club revealing their new owners this week.

Confirming a full change of ownership on Friday, 7 February, the Greater Manchester rugby league side has handed over 100% control to an investment bank.

Pending full ratification from the Rugby Football League (RFL), news of the buyout couldn’t have come at a better time as the Red Devils prepare to get their season underway in just a week’s time.

Sharing a lengthy statement on the club site, they informed supporters of the decision “that secures the future of the club.”

The update explains that following extensive talks with stakeholders, the Community Benefit Society (CBS) and Salford City Council, the purchase of the Super League rugby club has been approved.

ADVERTISEMENT

It has now been revealed that Salford has been taken over by a group of investors led by businessman Dario Berta, a Swiss banking insider, former director of the global UBS financial group and now CEO of Matanel, which specialises in real estate.

The update goes on to detail that Chris Irwin, the former Chief Commercial Officer at Salford Red Devils and more recently Exeter City Football Club, has rejoined the club as the new Chief Executive Officer.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most importantly for Salford Red Devils, Berta and co.’s first act following the takeover was to clear all of the club’s debts and put forward “additional significant investment for future growth.”

This will be music to fans’ ears, no doubt, especially given the less-than-ideal order handed down by the RFL given the state of Salford’s books and recently enacted financial regulations.

Salford Red Devils issue statement after being ordered to sell players by Rugby Football League
What a difference a few weeks can make.

The process of recruiting a new internal management structure is already said to be underway ahead of the final green light to the new owners, though it is understood to be merely a formality at this stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

CEO Irwin is said to have met with Paul Rowley, Kurt Haggerty and the current men’s first-team squad at the Salford Community Stadium in Eccles on Friday morning ahead of training.

Although squad reinforcement is inevitable as part of the investment, the statement goes on to clarify that “there will be a selection restriction for this weekend’s Challenge Cup Third Round fixture against the Midlands Hurricanes” but will be lifted ahead of their 2025 season opener.

Significant funds will also be allocated towards stadium redevelopment and the wider club infrastructure. New owner Berta went on to state: “This is the start of a very bright and successful future for Salford…

“I’m very proud to be involved, and with Chris at the helm, I feel like we have the perfect opportunity to build something special. Our focus and dedication now is to work together with stakeholders and fans to build sustainable success on and off the pitch for the long term.”

Read more:

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, added: “I’m very happy to welcome Dario Berta to Salford and look forward to working closely together to see an exciting future for Salford Red Devils, building on the successes of the last five years.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Red Devils are set to get their new domestic campaign underway against St Helens in their Super League opener on Saturday, 15 February.

Meanwhile, international rugby has returned to our screens and Manchester city centre has plenty of places to watch every second of the action.

Where to watch the 2025 Six Nations in Manchester city centre

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Salford Red Devils/Betfred Super League

Sport

The Curry twins commit future to Sale Sharks with crucial new contracts

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ben and Tom Curry new contracts Sale Sharks deal until 2027

Sharks fan, the ‘Curry Bros’ have some brilliant news to bring you as Ben and Tom have officially signed new contracts with the club, with both England internationals penning lucrative new deals.

That’s right, brothers Tom and Ben Curry have announced they will be staying with Sale Sharks for the foreseeable future, each agreeing to brand new extensions with the Greater Manchester side.

As two of the most gifted players currently playing not just at Salford Community Stadium but in the country full stop, the 26-year-old twins are arguably Sale‘s biggest assets, and they simply couldn’t afford to lose them.

Thankfully, following a joyously received announcement video on Wednesday, 30 April, they don’t have to worry about that until at least 2027.

After making their debuts for the senior team almost a decade ago when they were just 18, the pair have gone on to become rugby union stars and stalwarts in the back row.

Current team captain Ben Curry has now played 184 games for the Sharks, and brother Tom has 60 appearances for England, with both having notched numerous caps and personal achievements from a young age.

Their debut 2016 season saw the dynamic duo pick up joint ‘Young Player of the Season’ in a historic moment for the Gallagher Premiership, and they’ve only gone from strength to strength since.

With that being said, tying them down for another two years minimum is a big coup for the club.

Speaking on his new contract, Ben said: “This is my childhood club. I can remember being there to watch the final game at Edgeley Park and now to be club captain means everything.

“I’m enjoying where I’m at right now and I think there are opportunities to win trophies in the coming years. It’s really cool to see where the club is now compared to when we first joined, and I want to keep building on that…

“I fully believe in Alex and what [he], Simon, Michelle and Ged are building and I want to be a part of it.”

As for brother Tom, he went on to say: “I grew up watching and loving Sale Sharks and to me, this is the pinnacle and I don’t want to leave. 

“We’ve said for so long that this club has potential and we’re close, but I don’t feel that’s right any more. We’re there and I really believe that whether it’s this season or next, this team will win the big trophies. That’s what excites me day to day. 

“There are so many good young players coming through at the moment and it makes me really proud to be able to play a part. We’ve added some brilliant international players and it’s made it a really special place to be.”

In terms of local talent, the Cheshire-born flankers have become firm Northern favourites and will age still on their side, both Sale and England can look to continue building squads with them in mind for years to come.

Read more:

As for boss Alex Sanderson, he added: “I’m so happy because we were desperate to keep both Ben and Tom. They’re so good, so special, so important to the team and we’re blessed to have them. 

“They’re almost superhuman and I marvel at some of the things they do. They lead by example, they put the team first all the time, they play through pain, through fatigue and they challenge me and the environment every day.  

“They epitomise everything that I want this team to be about and while they’re much better than I ever was, their skills on and off the field are everything that I value.” Sale haven’t wasted time when it comes to business before next season, but securing contracts for both Ben and Tom Curry might be their best.

Noting that the two actually haven’t played as much rugby together as anyone would have liked, for England’s sake, here’s hoping we get to see plenty more of them sharing the pitch moving forward.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — England/World Rugby (via YouTube)/Tominnes (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Manchester City fans appeal to Pep Guardiola ahead of planned protest at Wolves game

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City fans planning protest over season tickets for Wolves game

A number of Manchester City fan groups have come together to appeal to the club and Pep Guardiola in particular ahead of a planned protest at the Etihad Stadium over season tickets and matchday prices this week.

Man City are set to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this Friday, but with the title now wrapped up and just European football left to secure (not a certainty but still expected), plenty of Blues’ attention has turned to the pressing issue of further impending ticket changes.

Not only are prices going up once again, and season tickets still somehow increasingly scarce/difficult to secure, even despite plans to increase the stadium’s capacity already underway, four different supporters organisations have come together to pen an open letter to Pep personally.

Quoting Pep’s own comments on wanting the stands to be more “alive” on matchday, they begin by writing: “With that in mind, we ask you for one more favour.”

The direct address urges the Catalan coach to implore club CEO, Ferran Soriano, to “do one more good thing” and reconsider their current stance on ticket policies and pricing, with the ‘Flexi-Gold Season Tickets’ advent alone causing considerable controversy.

Leading supporters organisation, The 1894 Group, goes on to add: “The stadium is growing by 8,000 next season and the fans want the club to bring back some real season tickets so that the generational links can be protected.

“The amount of season ticket-holders in the stadium has been shrinking. When fans cannot attend games the club then cannot resell those tickets because they are priced too high. We think the club has time to rethink two issues: season ticket availability and matchday pricing.

“We want the same things as you. A powerful club, with a loud atmosphere in the stadium. Surely the most important thing is to ensure there are no empty seats inside the Etihad?”

Insisting that the Etihad buzz will never reach the heights that Pep has cried out for in recent times, if they do not create better avenues for younger ‘Cityzens’ to attend games and ensure that “generational links can be protected.”

1894 Group are also spearheading a campaign to give a proper send-off to club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who revealed that he wasn’t offered a new contract before deciding to leave at the end of this season.

Warning that those at the club will not “get the atmosphere you crave if you do not think again” and take their suggestions on board, the overarching goal was put in the simplest terms: “no empty seats inside the Etihad Stadium.”

As for the planned peaceful demonstration itself, a boycott of seats is scheduled to take place before the Wolves fixture at 8pm on Friday, 2 May.

It’s unclear how many in attendance will participate in the protest, but with adults facing £88 and kids up to £58, those inside the ground will no doubt echo their stance.

With Lionness and former Man City Women player Esme Morgan even coming out to criticise the new restrictions regarding season tickets, the profile of this protest is definitely increasing.

Esme Morgan calls out Manchester City over new season ticket restrictions
She may not be able to regularly attend Man City games these days, but still shares the feelings of those fans set to protest.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Dunk (via Flickr)/ football.ua (via Wikimedia Commons)

More Sport

Patrice Evra MMA debut fighter

Sport

Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to make his MMA debut very soon

Phallon Tullis-Joyce new three-year contract Man United

Sport

Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce earns new contract after impressive season

Travel warning issued ahead of busiest weekend of the year for Manchester Marathon

Boroughs

Travel warning issued as Manchester braces for busiest day of the year so far

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches