LUKE Robinson believes Salford’s shambles is not just damaging a club close to his heart – but the whole sport of rugby league.
SunSport’s revelations surrounding an allegedly fake bank statement used by Red Devils owners Isiosaia ‘Sire’ Kailahi and Curtiz Brown as they attempted to purchase the Community Stadium have sent shockwaves through the game.
Huddersfield boss Luke Robinson feels the mes at Salford is impacting the whole sport of rugby leagueSWPIX.COM
Fears today’s trip to Huddersfield will be the 152-year-old club’s penultimate match before liquidation are growing.
And Giants boss Robinson, who played for Salford at their former Willows home between 2005 and 2007, feels the situation could have larger ramifications for the 13-a-side code.
He said: “I feel extremely sad, not just for Salford but for the sport.
“We aren’t football. If one team folds or goes into administration, it doesn’t just affect them, It affects the whole sport.
“It affects my little lads who play the game and one day would like to have a crack at it. The fewer teams we have, it hurts the sport as a whole.
“Salford are in a really pivotal position regarding where the club is in the country. Losing them would be massive for the game.
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“If we want the sport to grow, not diminish, we want as many heartland clubs to flourish.
“Playing for Salford was one of the greatest times of my career. I loved playing at Salford and on a personal level, I feel really sad.
“I know people who put their heart and soul into that club and to see it torn apart isn’t very nice.
“I know how proud they are. I learned that very early on by speaking about Manchester at a fans’ forum and getting shot down. I thought they were going to lynch me at one point!”
Robinson is a former Salford playerSWPIX.COM
Kailahi and Brown, who go under the Jacobsen Venture Group tag, deny the accusations and through their lawyers laughably claimed they feel the revelation is racially motivated.
Furious fans feel the details should be ‘the end’ for the duo.
So far, 18 players and numerous staff members have left after months of wage dramas – they are not allowed to sign anyone and chaos seemingly reigns behind the scenes.
A twice-adjourned winding up petition brought by HMRC, now thought to be for more than the £626,000 of tax owed when it was issued, will be heard on October 29.
And to many, unless a £5 million bridging loan that has been much talked about actually appears, the end Is nigh.
Despite that, boss Paul Rowley spoke about the future, while referencing The Willows, saying: “I’m sure a lot of people in Salford would rewind and get us back in that ground.
“The best bit is owning that ground and being master of your own destiny, having the key to the door.
“Hopefully some day, we can turn the Salford Community Stadium into something similar.”
Isiosaia ‘Sire’ Kailahi (right) and Curtiz Brown (centre) deny SunSport’s allegations.Alamy Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
