The Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan this weekend is going to be a special occasion for all Red Devil supporters but maybe none more so than Mark Hesling and his father David who will be attending their first Salford game after David moved away from the area when he was young.
David relocated to Hunstanton when he was 12-years-old and a busy schedule has prevented him from getting back to watch the Red Devils however the semi-final was the perfect opportunity to end his 64-year wait.
Mark, Davidโs son, said: โUnfortunately for my Dad he moved away when he was only young and he couldnโt get up to Salford to watch a game due to the travelling.
โI have a lot of work on at weekends while my Dad works throughout the week, so our time to come and watch a game has been extremely limited, but when I saw we had a free weekend it was an easy decision.
โWeโve been listening to the games on the radio this season and when we watched the โMillion Pound Gameโ last season Iโve never seen him display emotions like he did that day.
โFor him to finally see a game in person will be fantastic.โ
Despite the Red Devils poor run of form in recent weeks both David and Mark believe that Ian Watsonโs men will turn it around this weekend and book their place at Wembley in August.
โWeโre both hoping they can play better than they have during the last few Super League fixtures.
โPossibly theyโve relaxed a little in the past few weeks knowing they were already in the top eight and maybe theyโve had one eye on Sundayโs semi-final but weโre both sure that theyโll come away with the win this weekend.โ
Mark and David will certainly be hoping that the Red Devils can overcome Wigan but are set for a memorable day no matter what beginning with the โSemi-Final Send-Offโ breakfast prior to the semi-final.
โWeโre setting of at around 7am in the morning to get to Salford for the breakfast send-off and see the players off to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
โThen weโre going to drive to the game which will end up being about a 5-hour round trip so hopefully they win the game.โ
If Salford are to reach the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final for the first time since 1969 Mark has confirmed that David and himself will try everything to get tickets for the game.
โWeโve had a quick look at the date for the Challenge Cup final and I donโt think weโve got anything planned so Iโll definitely be trying to get myself and my Dad to Wembley if we win on Sunday.โ
Any Red Devils fans still looking to join Mark and David at the โSemi-Final Send-Offโ breakfast can still buy tickets here.