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The Manc - 15th March 2020

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RFL give the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team

Danny Jones New Salford rugby league Championship team in 2026

New Salford rugby league Championship team in 2026

The Rugby Football League (RFL) have given the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team in the New Year.

Rejoice, Salfordians – the Red Devils as you know them might be done, but it looks like a Phoenix is rising very soon.

This news comes after Salford Red Devils were sadly liquidated at the start of December, winding up the club after 152 years.

However, following a consortium bid led by a former player, it now looks as though the local community will be starting a new sporting era in 2026. You can read the RFL’s statement in full down below.

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As you can see, the English governing body has agreed to grant the new Salford-based rugby league team Championship status in time for the start of next season.

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The Red Devils were officially relegated back in October, following months of uncertainty surrounding their unpaid debts and having to rely on loan players to field squads.

It’s unclear whether the new Salford side will carry on under the well-established brand and logo, or whether they fresh start will include a new Greater Manchester moniker.

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There is, of course, an obvious choice as retired winger Mason Caton-Brown has been confirmed as one of at least three key investors following his ‘Phoenix Bid’ to resurrect the club earlier this month.

Speaking in an official press release, Caton-Brown stated, “This is for the fans. They are the heartbeat of this club. Today’s announcement is the result of countless hours of hard work, honesty, and unity. We’re incredibly proud to bring rugby league back home to Salford. But now the hard work really begins.”

Following the official announcement on Monday (22 Dec), fan group The 1873 have now expressed their gratitude and support regarding the new investment, adding: “The strength of this club has always been its people and that must remain true in this new chapter.”

We would like to congratulate The Phoenix Bid on being awarded RFL membership and becoming custodians of Salford Rugby League 👏

Fans must fully back the new board as we move into 2026. We have a responsibility to ensure that this is as successful as it can be. pic.twitter.com/BZEwzS0zC6
— The 1873 (@The1873_) December 22, 2025

Caton-Brown had already insisted that the new leadership group had reached multiple pre-contract agreements with players and a new head coach.

Meanwhile, ex-Salford Red Devils stars Paul Rowley and Adam Sidlow have now joined the coaching staff at St Helens.

While it’s obviously a big result to be gearing up just a few weeks after seemingly folding as a competitive side, the owners are now racing to get a full squad ready to face Oldham in their season opener on 16 January.

The 32-year-old went on to add: “The next month will be crucial. We’re asking supporters to stand together with us, to get behind the rebuild, to volunteer, to spread the word, and to help us make sure Salford rises again stronger than ever.” Happy, Salfordians?

Elsewhere, the national rugby community are similarly uniting to give a Super League legend some long overdue recognition…

Brits are petitioning to give ‘SIR’ Kevin Sinfield the knighthood he deserves

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Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)/Publicity picture (supplied)

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The UK’s top 10 biggest Christmas ‘icks’ have been revealed

The UK’s top 10 biggest Christmas ‘icks’ have been revealed, according to the results from a hilarious new survey.

Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also have its fair share of icks.

From tinsel on the tree, to cheesy Christmas jumpers, and everything in between, there are plenty of Christmas traditions that we simply love, and some we love to hate – and now, new research conducted by online retailer Haypp ahead of the festive season has revealed exactly what it is that Brits find the ickiest.

The research reveals that the number one ick is a controversial one – putting ketchup on a Christmas dinner, as nearly a third of respondents (32%) claim it makes them feel grim and that they’d judge someone for it.

Wearing Christmas jumpers is one of the UK’s biggest Christmas ‘icks’ Credit: Julia Larson (via Pexels)

It may cause controversy in a few households nationwide, the second biggest ‘ick’ is adults in matching festive pyjamas, with just under a third of Brits cringing, while some of the other similar traditions to this on the list being family photo Christmas cards, and wearing Christmas jumpers in public.

Elsewhere on the list, it was revealed that 27% of Brits find it unbearable to talk about politics over dinner, and lots of us don’t like it when others watch us open presents.

Around 18% also can’t stand it when people argue over festive games.

The UK’s top 10 Christmas ‘icks’

Having tomato ketchup on your Christmas dinner – 32%
Adults in matching pyjamas – 29.2%
Talking politics during dinner – 27.9%
Undoing your trousers at the dinner table – 24.4%
Leaving the dinner table to smoke – 23.2%
Everyone watching you open your presents – 20.4%
Being hungover on Christmas Day – 19.5%
Arguing over a game – 18.1%
Family photo Christmas cards – 15.2%
Wearing Christmas jumpers – 13.2%

Bad habits at the dinner table also feature heavily on the list, as a quarter of Brits hate it when people undo their trousers after the Christmas meal, and just over a fifth find it rude when someone leaves the table to go and smoke.

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What’s your take then? How many of these ‘icks’ do you agree with? Are there any others you feel need adding to the list?

Featured Image – Karolina Grabowska (via Pexels)