Salford City Reds players observed the new ‘City of Salford’ stadium plans earlier this week, when Project Managers, Drivers Jonas and stadium architects AFL, revealed detailed plans for player facilities during a presentation at The Willows. Keen to see how their new home for the 2010 season is taking shape, players took a keen interest in all aspects of the stadium design but more so the player facilities, including changing rooms, gym facilities, a 25 metre pool and pitch area, concluding the presentation with plenty of questions for the presenting architect. With interior areas of the stadium designed according to requirements of players and staff alike, the team and Salford City Reds employees were invited to observe the final draft before building begins later this year, a concept that is not lost on Reds Captain, Malcolm Alker:  “Having been used to the aging facilities of the willows, the new stadium facilities look amazing.  I think the future of Salford City Reds is looking very bright and with an International standard of stadium, I don’t thing the Reds will have many problems attracting the high profile rugby league players from around the world.” 

Salford City Reds media partner and shirt sponsor, Channel M will be following the fortunes of sides competing in the Fraser Eagle National Conference League plays offs tonight (Wednesday 23^rd April) at 7pm as part of the code XIII programme. The programme will then be repeated on Wednesdays (11pm), Thursdays (11am), Fridays (11am), Saturdays (11.30am) and Sundays (1.00pm). National Conference League Chairman Trevor Hunt said, “It is great to have Channel M on board like this, and of course they can be watched on digital TV or the worldwide Web. Hopefully sports fans will like what they see and come and try a live game or two. “As far as the matches go, Rochdale Mayfield’s extra time win at Leigh East was a terrifically gripping clash last week, and this Saturday’s games that have Minor Premiers, Leigh Miners Rangers at home to second placed East Hull, and Skirlaugh’s home visit from Mayfield, promises to be just as gripping.” Channel M are also looking forward to covering the amateur games flagship League. “We’re delighted to be working with the RFL and National Conference League in giving these fixtures an outlet for Grassroots Rugby League on television. We have no doubt over the quality on offer during the play-offs and feel they will be a worthy addition to what is an already successful programme format,” said James Lynch, Code XIII Producer. Channel M is the only local TV station for Manchester and is available on Terrestrial channel 39, Virgin Media channel 878 in the Greater Manchester region, and nationally on Sky channel 203. The Final will take place at Featherstone Rovers Chris Moyle’s Stadium on Saturday May 10th. The Fraser Eagle National Conference League Grand Final Play OffsSaturday 29th April 2008 Qualifying FinalLeigh Miners Rangers v East Hull Elimination semi finalSkirlaugh v Rochdale Mayfield Both kick off at 2.30pm.  

Salford City Reds Reserve Team take on Oldham at the Willows this Thurday 17 April.  Tickets are prices at £4 adults, £2 concessions and Juniors and access to the game is through The tavern.

Please note this game is the rearranged date for the game cancelled on Easter Monday.

Salford City Reds find themselves with a change of routine to the usual schedule of Friday Night Football at the Willows, as they embrace Thursday night football in a series of Sky games to be shown over the next few weeks. The Northern Rail Cup quarter final draw, held during the half time game between Dewsbury and Batley last night (Thursday) saw the Reds drawn away to Featherstone Rovers and a game immediately picked up by the broadcasting giant, making a total of five televised games for the Reds over the next two months with three consecutive televised games in May alone. Salford City Reds Media & PR Manager, Kate Parkinson commented: “This is great news for Salford City Reds and confirms our status as the premier draw team in National League 1. With The RFL recently producing news that TV audiences are on the up in rugby league, we are confident that as the most watched team outside Super League we will be able to compliment this trend.” The Reds kick off the first of their Sky fixtures with a home game against Whitehaven on Thursday 24 April, and the club has 200 family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) to give away for the fixture. Tickets for the ‘National League Scorcher’ are available on a first come, first served basis by calling the club on 0161 736 6564, option 2. Further information is available at www.reds.co.uk. -Ends- The confirmed Salford City Reds Sky fixtures are as follows: Salford City Reds V Whitehaven RLFC Thursday 24 April KO 7.30pm Salford City Reds V Celtic Crusaders Thursday 15 May KO 7.30pm Featherstone Rovers V Salford City Reds (Northern Rail Cup Quarter Finals) Thursday 22 May KO 7.30pm Whitehaven V Salford City RedsThursday 29 May KO 7.30pmWidnes Vikings V Salford City RedsThursday 19 June KO 7.30pm

Salford City Reds welcome Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to tonights game as Salford City Reds take on Widnes at the willows.

Working with partners within the local community the Fire and Rescue Service is working to raise awareness of the risks from fire and other hazards which affect all those who live in, work in or visit Salford and will be teaming up with Salford City Reds in launching the ‘Streetlights’ project, designed to reach the young people of Salford and engaging with themn through rugby coaching.

Last year there were 334 accidental house fires in Salford alone and and the Fire and Rescue Service are are looking at reducing these numbers and providing free home risk assessments to all residents of Greater Manchester.

To find out more speak to the Fire and Rescue Team at the Willows this evening.  Further details are also available by calling 0800 555 815or by visiting www.manchesterfire.gov.uk

The next event in Paul Hightons Testimonial calendar is a ‘Legends of Rugby League’, questions and answers evening to be held on Tuesday 15 April 2008 in the Lowry Suite at the Willows.

Hosted by BBC Manchester Sports Presenters, Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt, Special guest panellists include Paul Forber, Iestyn Harris, Shane Hansen and referee Ian Smith.  Former Salford City Reds Coaches Karl Harrison  and Andy Gregory will also be making  guest appearances back at the Willows.

The doors of the Willows open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start and admission is £5 payable on entry.

Tonights reserve game away to Widnes Vikings has now been cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday 3 July